Los Angeles 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)
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Los Angeles
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Los Angeles
36.9
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Los Angeles
35.8%
Paterson
N/A
White
Los Angeles
37.3%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Los Angeles
8.5%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Los Angeles
12.0%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Los Angeles
47.2%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Los Angeles
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 35.8% | N/A | - |
| White | 37.3% | N/A | - |
| Black | 8.5% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 12.0% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Los Angeles
$80,366
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Los Angeles
$46,270
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Los Angeles
$77,230
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Los Angeles
7.9%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Los Angeles
16.6%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Los Angeles
37.8%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,366 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $46,270 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Los Angeles
$956,465
Paterson
$527,542
Paterson +
Homeownership Rate
Los Angeles
36.3%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $956,465 | $527,542 | Paterson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 36.3% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
503
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
2388
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Los Angeles, 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
Los Angeles
27.3%
Los Angeles +
Paterson
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Los Angeles
17.4%
Los Angeles +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
13.2%
Los Angeles +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
15.9%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.3% | 37.5% | Los Angeles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 16.1% | Los Angeles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 18.6% | Los Angeles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 28.6% | Los Angeles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 16.4% | Los Angeles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Los Angeles +
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Los Angeles
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Los Angeles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Los Angeles
33.8 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 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 Los Angeles. Los Angeles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Los Angeles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.3%.
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