Long Beach 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)
Long Beach, CA
California · Population: 458,491
- Median HH Income$83,969
- Median Home Price$862,599
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+34.8%
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
Long Beach
458,491
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Long Beach
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Long Beach
36.8
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Long Beach
24.7%
Paterson
N/A
White
Long Beach
41.6%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Long Beach
11.9%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Long Beach
12.8%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Long Beach
43.4%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Long Beach
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 458,491 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.8 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 24.7% | N/A | - |
| White | 41.6% | N/A | - |
| Black | 11.9% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 12.8% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 43.4% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Long Beach
$83,969
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Long Beach
$42,370
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Long Beach
$77,230
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Long Beach
6.5%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Long Beach
15.0%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Long Beach
34.8%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,969 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $42,370 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.8% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Long Beach
$862,599
Paterson
$527,542
Paterson +
Homeownership Rate
Long Beach
40.9%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $862,599 | $527,542 | Paterson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.9% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
503
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Long Beach
2388
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Long Beach, 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
Long Beach
27.4%
Long Beach +
Paterson
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.7%
Long Beach +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Long Beach
17.5%
Long Beach +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
15.7%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.4% | 37.5% | Long Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 16.1% | Long Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.6% | Long Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 28.6% | Long Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 16.4% | Long Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
64.7°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Long Beach
12.3 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Long Beach +
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Long Beach
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Long Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Long Beach
32.6 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Long Beach, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.6 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 503 in Long Beach. Long Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Long Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.4%.
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