Milwaukee WI 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)
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
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
Milwaukee
569,756
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Paterson
N/A
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | N/A | - |
| White | 36.5% | N/A | - |
| Black | 38.6% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 4.8% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $527,542 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Paterson
1426
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1426 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
Paterson
37.5%
Paterson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Milwaukee +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Paterson
18.6%
Paterson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Milwaukee +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Paterson
16.4%
Paterson +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 37.5% | Paterson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 16.1% | Milwaukee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.6% | Paterson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 28.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 16.4% | Paterson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Paterson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Paterson +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Paterson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Paterson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 309 in Milwaukee. Paterson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Paterson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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