Montgomery AL 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)
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- 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
Montgomery
198,440
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Paterson
N/A
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | N/A | - |
| White | 27.7% | N/A | - |
| Black | 63.0% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.3% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $527,542 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
Paterson
37.5%
Paterson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Paterson
16.1%
Paterson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Paterson
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Montgomery +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 37.5% | Paterson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.1% | Paterson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.6% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 28.6% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 14.3% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.4% | Montgomery + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Paterson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Paterson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Montgomery
22.0 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. 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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