Minneapolis MN 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)
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
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
Minneapolis
426,845
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Minneapolis
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Minneapolis
33.0
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Minneapolis
14.1%
Paterson
N/A
White
Minneapolis
61.6%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Minneapolis
18.3%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Minneapolis
5.2%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Minneapolis
10.5%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Minneapolis
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 426,845 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | N/A | - |
| White | 61.6% | N/A | - |
| Black | 18.3% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 5.2% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Minneapolis
$80,269
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Minneapolis
$50,605
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Minneapolis
$69,467
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Minneapolis
5.7%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Minneapolis
16.4%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Minneapolis
54.4%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,269 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $50,605 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.4% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Minneapolis
$334,719
Minneapolis +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Minneapolis
48.0%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $334,719 | $527,542 | Minneapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.0% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
284
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
1992
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Paterson
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Minneapolis
17.1%
Minneapolis +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
9.9%
Minneapolis +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
19.8%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
12.7%
Minneapolis +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 37.5% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 16.1% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 18.6% | Minneapolis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 28.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 16.4% | Minneapolis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 30.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Minneapolis +
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Minneapolis
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Minneapolis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Minneapolis
24.2 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $334,719. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 284 in Minneapolis. Minneapolis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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