Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Paterson
N/A
White
Detroit
11.7%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | N/A | - |
| White | 11.7% | N/A | - |
| Black | 76.8% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 1.6% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $527,542 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Paterson
37.5%
Paterson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Paterson
16.1%
Paterson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Paterson
18.6%
Paterson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Paterson
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Paterson
16.4%
Paterson +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 37.5% | Paterson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 16.1% | Paterson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 18.6% | Paterson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 28.6% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.3% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 16.4% | Paterson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Paterson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Paterson +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Paterson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Paterson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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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