Jersey City NJ 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)
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
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
Jersey City
289,691
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Paterson
N/A
White
Jersey City
28.7%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | N/A | - |
| White | 28.7% | N/A | - |
| Black | 21.4% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 25.8% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
Paterson
$77,416
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $77,416 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
Paterson
$527,542
Paterson +
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $527,542 | Paterson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Paterson
218
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Paterson
1426
Tie
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 218 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1426 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Paterson
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
Jersey City +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 37.5% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 16.1% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 18.6% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 28.6% | Jersey City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 16.4% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jersey City
40.3 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Paterson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $527,542. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 218 in Jersey City. Paterson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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