Boise ID 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)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
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
Boise
235,701
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Paterson
N/A
White
Boise
83.6%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Boise
1.4%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | N/A | - |
| White | 83.6% | N/A | - |
| Black | 1.4% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.4% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Boise +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $527,542 | Boise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Paterson
1426
| Metric | Boise, ID | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1426 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Paterson
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Paterson
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 37.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 28.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $504,894. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 251 in Boise. Boise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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