New York 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 York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
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 York
8,516,202
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New York
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
New York
38.0
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
New York
36.5%
Paterson
N/A
White
New York
35.9%
Paterson
N/A
Black
New York
22.7%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
New York
14.6%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
New York
28.4%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
New York
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | New York, NY | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,516,202 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 36.5% | N/A | - |
| White | 35.9% | N/A | - |
| Black | 22.7% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 14.6% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 28.4% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New York
$79,713
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
New York
$50,776
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New York
$77,425
New York +
Paterson
$77,416
Unemployment Rate
New York
7.7%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
New York
17.4%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
New York
41.0%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | New York, NY | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,713 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $50,776 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,416 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.0% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New York
$816,078
Paterson
$527,542
Paterson +
Homeownership Rate
New York
32.8%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | New York, NY | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $816,078 | $527,542 | Paterson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 32.8% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
434
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
1736
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | New York, 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 York
25.1%
New York +
Paterson
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
11.9%
New York +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New York
15.4%
New York +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New York
10.6%
New York +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New York
16.9%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New York
11.4%
New York +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | New York, NY | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.1% | 37.5% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 16.1% | New York + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 18.6% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 28.6% | New York + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 16.4% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
55.4°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
46.6 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | New York, NY | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New York
8.1 µg/m³
New York +
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New York
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New York, NY | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | New York + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New York
44.2 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | New York, NY | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 44.2 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 York. New York has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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