Columbus OH 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
Columbus
906,480
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Paterson
N/A
White
Columbus
53.3%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | N/A | - |
| White | 53.3% | N/A | - |
| Black | 29.0% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 5.8% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $527,542 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Paterson
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Paterson
18.6%
Paterson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Columbus +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 37.5% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.1% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 18.6% | Paterson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 28.6% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.4% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Paterson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Paterson +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Paterson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Paterson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
23.4 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,749. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Columbus. Paterson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
Compare More Cities
Columbus, OH vs New York, NYColumbus, OH vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Columbus, OHColumbus, OH vs Houston, TXColumbus, OH vs Phoenix, AZColumbus, OH vs Philadelphia, PA