Evansville IN 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)
Evansville, IN
Indiana · Population: 116,441
- Median HH Income$52,251
- Median Home Price$200,657
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+22.3%
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
Evansville
116,441
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Evansville
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Evansville
38.1
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Evansville
3.9%
Paterson
N/A
White
Evansville
77.1%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Evansville
13.5%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Evansville
1.1%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Evansville
4.0%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Evansville
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 116,441 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | N/A | - |
| White | 77.1% | N/A | - |
| Black | 13.5% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 1.1% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 4.0% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Evansville
$52,251
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Evansville
$31,236
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Evansville
$58,697
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Evansville
5.3%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Evansville
18.6%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Evansville
22.3%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,251 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $31,236 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Evansville
$200,657
Evansville +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Evansville
53.9%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $200,657 | $527,542 | Evansville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Evansville
370
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Evansville
1719
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Evansville
40.0%
Paterson
37.5%
Paterson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Evansville
13.8%
Evansville +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Evansville
19.7%
Paterson
18.6%
Paterson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Evansville
9.6%
Evansville +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Evansville
15.8%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Evansville
18.6%
Paterson
16.4%
Paterson +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 37.5% | Paterson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 16.1% | Evansville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 18.6% | Paterson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 28.6% | Evansville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.6% | 16.4% | Paterson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Evansville
60.1°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Evansville
46.8 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Evansville
10.1 µg/m³
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Paterson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Evansville
55.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Paterson +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Paterson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Paterson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Evansville
20.2 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Evansville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $200,657. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Evansville. 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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