Norwalk CA 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)
Norwalk, CA
California · Population: 100,713
- Median HH Income$98,709
- Median Home Price$765,319
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Norwalk
100,713
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norwalk
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Norwalk
36.5
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Norwalk
32.6%
Paterson
N/A
White
Norwalk
24.0%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Norwalk
4.2%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Norwalk
13.8%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Norwalk
69.5%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Norwalk
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,713 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 32.6% | N/A | - |
| White | 24.0% | N/A | - |
| Black | 4.2% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 13.8% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 69.5% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norwalk
$98,709
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Norwalk
$31,989
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norwalk
$77,230
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Norwalk
5.6%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Norwalk
9.7%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Norwalk
21.3%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,709 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $31,989 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norwalk
$765,319
Paterson
$527,542
Paterson +
Homeownership Rate
Norwalk
68.1%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,319 | $527,542 | Paterson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.1% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norwalk
503
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norwalk
2388
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
26.9%
Norwalk +
Paterson
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
12.7%
Norwalk +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norwalk
16.1%
Norwalk +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
15.4%
Norwalk +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
15.3%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
10.5%
Norwalk +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.9% | 37.5% | Norwalk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 16.1% | Norwalk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 18.6% | Norwalk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 28.6% | Norwalk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 16.4% | Norwalk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norwalk
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norwalk
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | 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.)
Norwalk
7.9 µg/m³
Norwalk +
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norwalk
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Norwalk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norwalk
32.1 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.1 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 503 in Norwalk. Norwalk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norwalk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.9%.
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