Miami FL 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)
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
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
Miami
446,663
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Miami
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Miami
39.7
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Miami
57.7%
Paterson
N/A
White
Miami
34.2%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Miami
13.7%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Miami
1.6%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Miami
71.2%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Miami
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Miami, FL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 446,663 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 57.7% | N/A | - |
| White | 34.2% | N/A | - |
| Black | 13.7% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 1.6% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 71.2% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Miami
$59,390
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Miami
$42,528
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Miami
$65,328
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Miami
5.0%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Miami
19.2%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Miami
35.6%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Miami, FL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,390 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $42,528 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.6% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Miami
$580,996
Paterson
$527,542
Paterson +
Homeownership Rate
Miami
30.7%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Miami, FL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $580,996 | $527,542 | Paterson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 30.7% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
324
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
1453
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
29.9%
Miami +
Paterson
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.5%
Miami +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Miami
15.0%
Miami +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Miami
27.2%
Miami +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.3%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Miami
12.3%
Miami +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Miami, FL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.9% | 37.5% | Miami + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.1% | Miami + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 18.6% | Miami + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 28.6% | Miami + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 16.4% | Miami + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
75.8°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
64.1 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Miami, FL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Miami +
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Miami
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Miami, FL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Miami + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Miami
29.9 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Miami, FL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.9 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 324 in Miami. Miami has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.9%.
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