Cary NC 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)
Cary, NC
North Carolina · Population: 176,686
- Median HH Income$129,399
- Median Home Price$629,864
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+70.2%
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
Cary
176,686
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cary
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Cary
39.8
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Cary
23.7%
Paterson
N/A
White
Cary
60.1%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Cary
7.6%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Cary
20.4%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Cary
9.3%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Cary
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.8 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | N/A | - |
| White | 60.1% | N/A | - |
| Black | 7.6% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 20.4% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cary
$129,399
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Cary
$64,590
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cary
$59,120
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Cary
3.4%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Cary
5.3%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Cary
70.2%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,399 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $64,590 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 5.3% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.2% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cary
$629,864
Paterson
$527,542
Paterson +
Homeownership Rate
Cary
66.3%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $629,864 | $527,542 | Paterson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.3% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
398
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cary
1999
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Cary, NC | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
25.3%
Cary +
Paterson
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cary
8.6%
Cary +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cary
12.8%
Cary +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cary
6.2%
Cary +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cary
14.3%
Paterson
14.3%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cary
7.7%
Cary +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Cary, NC | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 37.5% | Cary + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 16.1% | Cary + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 18.6% | Cary + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 28.6% | Cary + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.3% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 16.4% | Cary + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
59.4°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cary
46.3 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cary
8.7 µg/m³
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cary
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cary, NC | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cary
24.3 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Cary, NC | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 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 398 in Cary. Paterson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cary scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.3%.
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