Hartford CT 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)
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
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
Hartford
119,970
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Paterson
N/A
White
Hartford
26.4%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | N/A | - |
| White | 26.4% | N/A | - |
| Black | 36.1% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 2.3% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Paterson
$77,416
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $77,416 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $527,542 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Paterson
218
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 218 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
Paterson
37.5%
Paterson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Hartford +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Paterson
18.6%
Paterson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Hartford +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Paterson
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Hartford +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 37.5% | Paterson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.1% | Hartford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 18.6% | Paterson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 28.6% | Hartford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 14.3% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.4% | Hartford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Hartford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $199,359. On public safety, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 218 in Paterson. Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Paterson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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