New Rochelle NY 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)
New Rochelle, NY
New York · Population: 48,198
- Median HH Income$48,535
- Median Home Price$920,484
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+22.8%
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
New Rochelle
48,198
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Rochelle
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
New Rochelle
40.7
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
New Rochelle
4.6%
Paterson
N/A
White
New Rochelle
66.1%
Paterson
N/A
Black
New Rochelle
17.8%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
New Rochelle
2.3%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
New Rochelle
8.0%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
New Rochelle
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 48,198 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.7 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | N/A | - |
| White | 66.1% | N/A | - |
| Black | 17.8% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 2.3% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Rochelle
$48,535
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
New Rochelle
$30,033
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Rochelle
$77,425
New Rochelle +
Paterson
$77,416
Unemployment Rate
New Rochelle
9.7%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
New Rochelle
23.7%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
New Rochelle
22.8%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,535 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $30,033 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,416 | New Rochelle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 23.7% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.8% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Rochelle
$920,484
Paterson
$527,542
Paterson +
Homeownership Rate
New Rochelle
57.5%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $920,484 | $527,542 | Paterson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.5% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Rochelle
434
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Rochelle
1736
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
26.6%
New Rochelle +
Paterson
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
10.6%
New Rochelle +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Rochelle
13.8%
New Rochelle +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
9.5%
New Rochelle +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
14.9%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
9.3%
New Rochelle +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | 37.5% | New Rochelle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 16.1% | New Rochelle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.8% | 18.6% | New Rochelle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 28.6% | New Rochelle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 16.4% | New Rochelle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Rochelle
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Rochelle
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | 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.)
New Rochelle
8.1 µg/m³
New Rochelle +
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Rochelle
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | New Rochelle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Rochelle
20.0 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 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 434 in New Rochelle. New Rochelle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Rochelle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
Compare More Cities
New Rochelle, NY vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs New Rochelle, NYChicago, IL vs New Rochelle, NYHouston, TX vs New Rochelle, NYNew Rochelle, NY vs Phoenix, AZNew Rochelle, NY vs Philadelphia, PA