Anaheim CA vs Paterson NJ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Anaheim, CA
California · Population: 344,553
- Median HH Income$90,583
- Median Home Price$952,227
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anaheim
344,553
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anaheim
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Anaheim
35.9
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Anaheim
35.2%
Paterson
N/A
White
Anaheim
41.2%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Anaheim
2.5%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Anaheim
18.6%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Anaheim
52.5%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Anaheim
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 344,553 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 35.2% | N/A | - |
| White | 41.2% | N/A | - |
| Black | 2.5% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 18.6% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 52.5% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anaheim
$90,583
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Anaheim
$36,541
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anaheim
$77,230
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Anaheim
5.5%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Anaheim
12.5%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Anaheim
28.7%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,583 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $36,541 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.7% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anaheim
$952,227
Paterson
$527,542
Paterson +
Homeownership Rate
Anaheim
45.9%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $952,227 | $527,542 | Paterson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.9% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
503
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
2388
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
26.8%
Anaheim +
Paterson
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
12.2%
Anaheim +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anaheim
18.0%
Anaheim +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
14.7%
Anaheim +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
15.4%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
11.0%
Anaheim +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.8% | 37.5% | Anaheim + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 16.1% | Anaheim + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 18.6% | Anaheim + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 28.6% | Anaheim + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 16.4% | Anaheim + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
67.1°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
13.4 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anaheim
7.9 µg/m³
Anaheim +
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anaheim
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Anaheim + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anaheim
30.6 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.6 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Paterson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $527,542. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Anaheim. Anaheim has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Anaheim scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.8%.
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