Fresno CA 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)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Fresno
543,615
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Paterson
N/A
White
Fresno
38.0%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | N/A | - |
| White | 38.0% | N/A | - |
| Black | 6.7% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 14.2% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Fresno +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $527,542 | Fresno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Paterson
37.5%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Fresno +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Paterson
18.6%
Paterson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Fresno +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Paterson
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Fresno +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 37.5% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 16.1% | Fresno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.6% | Paterson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 28.6% | Fresno + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.3% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 16.4% | Fresno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $391,442. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fresno. Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Paterson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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