Berkeley 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)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
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
Berkeley
120,223
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Paterson
N/A
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | N/A | - |
| White | 54.8% | N/A | - |
| Black | 7.4% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 20.7% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Paterson
$527,542
Paterson +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $527,542 | Paterson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Berkeley, 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
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Paterson
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 37.5% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 16.1% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 18.6% | Berkeley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 28.6% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 16.4% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 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 Berkeley. Berkeley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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