Manchester NH 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)
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
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
Manchester
115,415
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Manchester
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Manchester
37.9
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Manchester
14.8%
Paterson
N/A
White
Manchester
76.7%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Manchester
5.3%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Manchester
4.6%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Manchester
13.5%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Manchester
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,415 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 14.8% | N/A | - |
| White | 76.7% | N/A | - |
| Black | 5.3% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 4.6% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 13.5% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Manchester
$77,415
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Manchester
$44,220
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Manchester
$75,331
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Manchester
3.8%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Manchester
10.7%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Manchester
33.5%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,415 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $44,220 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 10.7% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Manchester
$441,257
Manchester +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Manchester
49.3%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $441,257 | $527,542 | Manchester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.3% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Paterson
218
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
Paterson
1426
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 134 | 218 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1048 | 1426 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
35.0%
Manchester +
Paterson
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Manchester
17.4%
Manchester +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.9%
Manchester +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Manchester
16.4%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Manchester
12.9%
Manchester +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.0% | 37.5% | Manchester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 16.1% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 18.6% | Manchester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 28.6% | Manchester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.4% | Manchester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
49.2°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
44.6 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Manchester
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Manchester
25.7 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.7 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $441,257. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 218 in Paterson. Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Manchester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.0%.
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