Flint 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)
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
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
Flint
80,835
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Paterson
N/A
White
Flint
34.4%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Flint
56.6%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | N/A | - |
| White | 34.4% | N/A | - |
| Black | 56.6% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 0.6% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $527,542 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Flint, 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
Flint
50.5%
Paterson
37.5%
Paterson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Paterson
16.1%
Paterson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Paterson
18.6%
Paterson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Flint +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Paterson
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Paterson
16.4%
Paterson +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 37.5% | Paterson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 16.1% | Paterson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 18.6% | Paterson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 28.6% | Flint + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.3% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 16.4% | Paterson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Paterson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Paterson +
| Metric | Flint, 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
Flint
25.0 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. 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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