Fort Worth TX 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)
Fort Worth, TX
Texas · Population: 941,311
- Median HH Income$76,602
- Median Home Price$299,655
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+31.7%
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
Fort Worth
941,311
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Worth
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Fort Worth
33.4
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Fort Worth
17.0%
Paterson
N/A
White
Fort Worth
47.7%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Fort Worth
19.5%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Fort Worth
5.2%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Fort Worth
34.6%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Fort Worth
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 941,311 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | N/A | - |
| White | 47.7% | N/A | - |
| Black | 19.5% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 5.2% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 34.6% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Worth
$76,602
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Fort Worth
$37,157
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Worth
$63,758
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Worth
4.9%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Fort Worth
12.9%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Worth
31.7%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,602 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $37,157 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 12.9% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.7% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Worth
$299,655
Fort Worth +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Fort Worth
56.8%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,655 | $527,542 | Fort Worth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.8% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
442
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
2339
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
34.6%
Fort Worth +
Paterson
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
12.2%
Fort Worth +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Worth
18.5%
Fort Worth +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
20.0%
Fort Worth +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
16.9%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
13.8%
Fort Worth +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.6% | 37.5% | Fort Worth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 16.1% | Fort Worth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.6% | Fort Worth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 28.6% | Fort Worth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 16.4% | Fort Worth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
65.8°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
37.8 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
9.2 µg/m³
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Paterson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Worth
55.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Paterson +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Paterson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Paterson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Worth
29.0 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Worth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,655. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Fort Worth. Paterson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Worth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.6%.
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