Ontario 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)
Ontario, CA
California · Population: 138,723
- Median HH Income$116,945
- Median Home Price$671,948
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
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
Ontario
138,723
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ontario
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Ontario
36.9
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Ontario
21.0%
Paterson
N/A
White
Ontario
53.6%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Ontario
1.6%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Ontario
13.1%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Ontario
40.0%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Ontario
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,723 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 21.0% | N/A | - |
| White | 53.6% | N/A | - |
| Black | 1.6% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 13.1% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 40.0% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ontario
$116,945
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Ontario
$50,759
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ontario
$77,230
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Ontario
4.7%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Ontario
9.2%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Ontario
40.1%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $116,945 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $50,759 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 9.2% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ontario
$671,948
Paterson
$527,542
Paterson +
Homeownership Rate
Ontario
58.1%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $671,948 | $527,542 | Paterson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ontario
503
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ontario
2388
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Ontario, 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
Ontario
33.6%
Ontario +
Paterson
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ontario
17.8%
Ontario +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ontario
17.0%
Ontario +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ontario
15.7%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 37.5% | Ontario + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 16.1% | Ontario + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.6% | Ontario + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 28.6% | Ontario + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 16.4% | Ontario + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ontario
65.5°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ontario
15.0 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 15.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Ontario +
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ontario
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Ontario + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ontario
28.2 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 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 503 in Ontario. Ontario has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ontario scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Ontario, CALos Angeles, CA vs Ontario, CAChicago, IL vs Ontario, CAHouston, TX vs Ontario, CAOntario, CA vs Phoenix, AZOntario, CA vs Philadelphia, PA