Miami Gardens 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 Gardens, FL
Florida · Population: 11,627
- Median HH Income$137,873
- Median Home Price$472,888
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+64.7%
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 Gardens
11,627
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Miami Gardens
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Miami Gardens
37.7
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Miami Gardens
29.1%
Paterson
N/A
White
Miami Gardens
52.5%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Miami Gardens
15.3%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Miami Gardens
3.5%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Miami Gardens
34.0%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Miami Gardens
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,627 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 29.1% | N/A | - |
| White | 52.5% | N/A | - |
| Black | 15.3% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.5% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 34.0% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Miami Gardens
$137,873
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Miami Gardens
$57,003
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Miami Gardens
$65,328
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Miami Gardens
6.5%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Miami Gardens
7.9%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Miami Gardens
64.7%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,873 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $57,003 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 7.9% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 64.7% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Miami Gardens
$472,888
Miami Gardens +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Miami Gardens
86.7%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $472,888 | $527,542 | Miami Gardens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 86.7% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
324
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
1453
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Miami Gardens, 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 Gardens
34.3%
Miami Gardens +
Paterson
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
17.3%
Paterson
16.1%
Paterson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Miami Gardens
17.5%
Miami Gardens +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
22.4%
Miami Gardens +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
12.7%
Miami Gardens +
Paterson
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
15.4%
Miami Gardens +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 37.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 16.1% | Paterson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.6% | Miami Gardens + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.4% | 28.6% | Miami Gardens + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 14.3% | Miami Gardens + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 16.4% | Miami Gardens + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami Gardens
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami Gardens
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | 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.)
Miami Gardens
7.2 µg/m³
Miami Gardens +
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Miami Gardens
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Miami Gardens + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Miami Gardens
29.2 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.2 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami Gardens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $472,888. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Miami Gardens. Miami Gardens has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami Gardens scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.3%.
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