Elizabeth NJ 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)
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
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
Elizabeth
135,887
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Paterson
N/A
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | N/A | - |
| White | 24.8% | N/A | - |
| Black | 17.1% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 1.8% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Paterson
$77,416
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $77,416 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Paterson
$527,542
Paterson +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $527,542 | Paterson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Paterson
218
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Paterson
1426
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 218 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1426 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Paterson
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Elizabeth +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Elizabeth +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Elizabeth +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 37.5% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 16.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.6% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 28.6% | Elizabeth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 16.4% | Elizabeth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | 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
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 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 218 in Elizabeth. Paterson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elizabeth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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