Davenport IA 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)
Davenport, IA
Iowa · Population: 101,083
- Median HH Income$64,497
- Median Home Price$191,117
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
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
Davenport
101,083
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Davenport
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Davenport
37.8
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Davenport
4.6%
Paterson
N/A
White
Davenport
75.9%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Davenport
11.2%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Davenport
1.9%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Davenport
9.1%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Davenport
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 101,083 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | N/A | - |
| White | 75.9% | N/A | - |
| Black | 11.2% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 1.9% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 9.1% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Davenport
$64,497
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Davenport
$36,583
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Davenport
$61,226
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Davenport
4.8%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Davenport
15.6%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Davenport
30.0%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,497 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $36,583 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.0% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Davenport
$191,117
Davenport +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Davenport
63.0%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,117 | $527,542 | Davenport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Davenport
296
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Davenport
1452
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Davenport
42.6%
Paterson
37.5%
Paterson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Davenport
11.7%
Davenport +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Davenport
17.8%
Davenport +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Davenport
8.2%
Davenport +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Davenport
21.1%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Davenport
16.2%
Davenport +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.6% | 37.5% | Paterson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 16.1% | Davenport + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.6% | Davenport + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 28.6% | Davenport + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 21.1% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.4% | Davenport + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Davenport
49.3°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Davenport
36.0 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Davenport
10.2 µg/m³
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Paterson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Davenport
55.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Paterson +
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Paterson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Paterson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Davenport
20.4 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Davenport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,117. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 296 in Davenport. Paterson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Paterson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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