Oklahoma City OK 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)
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
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
Oklahoma City
688,693
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oklahoma City
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Oklahoma City
35.0
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Oklahoma City
12.0%
Paterson
N/A
White
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Oklahoma City
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 688,693 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 12.0% | N/A | - |
| White | 58.4% | N/A | - |
| Black | 13.4% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 4.5% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 21.7% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Oklahoma City
34.0%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,702 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $37,109 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.0% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Oklahoma City +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Oklahoma City
59.1%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $207,961 | $527,542 | Oklahoma City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
429
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
2375
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Paterson
37.5%
Paterson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Oklahoma City +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oklahoma City
17.8%
Oklahoma City +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Oklahoma City +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.9%
Oklahoma City +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 37.5% | Paterson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 16.1% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.6% | Oklahoma City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 28.6% | Oklahoma City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.4% | Oklahoma City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Paterson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | 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
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Oklahoma City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $207,961. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Oklahoma City. 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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