Boca Raton FL 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)
Boca Raton, FL
Florida · Population: 98,833
- Median HH Income$102,722
- Median Home Price$562,670
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+60.4%
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
Boca Raton
98,833
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boca Raton
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Boca Raton
45.8
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Boca Raton
20.0%
Paterson
N/A
White
Boca Raton
77.2%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Boca Raton
5.7%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Boca Raton
3.0%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Boca Raton
15.4%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Boca Raton
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,833 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 45.8 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | N/A | - |
| White | 77.2% | N/A | - |
| Black | 5.7% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.0% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boca Raton
$102,722
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Boca Raton
$72,542
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boca Raton
$65,328
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Boca Raton
5.9%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Boca Raton
9.4%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Boca Raton
60.4%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $102,722 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $72,542 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 9.4% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.4% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boca Raton
$562,670
Paterson
$527,542
Paterson +
Homeownership Rate
Boca Raton
65.8%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $562,670 | $527,542 | Paterson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
324
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
1453
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
23.2%
Boca Raton +
Paterson
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
10.4%
Boca Raton +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boca Raton
14.3%
Boca Raton +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
9.7%
Boca Raton +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
14.7%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
8.8%
Boca Raton +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.2% | 37.5% | Boca Raton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 16.1% | Boca Raton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.3% | 18.6% | Boca Raton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 28.6% | Boca Raton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 16.4% | Boca Raton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
7.2 µg/m³
Boca Raton +
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boca Raton
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Boca Raton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boca Raton
23.4 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 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 324 in Boca Raton. Boca Raton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boca Raton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.2%.
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