Pasadena 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)
Pasadena, CA
California · Population: 67,231
- Median HH Income$220,408
- Median Home Price$1,215,642
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+82.4%
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
Pasadena
67,231
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pasadena
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Pasadena
42.5
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Pasadena
36.3%
Paterson
N/A
White
Pasadena
48.4%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Pasadena
2.2%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Pasadena
36.1%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Pasadena
7.1%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Pasadena
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,231 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.5 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 36.3% | N/A | - |
| White | 48.4% | N/A | - |
| Black | 2.2% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 36.1% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 7.1% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pasadena
$220,408
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Pasadena
$121,565
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pasadena
$77,230
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Pasadena
3.7%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Pasadena
5.4%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Pasadena
82.4%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $220,408 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $121,565 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 5.4% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 82.4% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Paterson
$527,542
Paterson +
Homeownership Rate
Pasadena
54.2%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,215,642 | $527,542 | Paterson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
503
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
2388
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Pasadena, 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
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
Paterson
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
10.7%
Pasadena +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pasadena
14.9%
Pasadena +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
8.2%
Pasadena +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
15.4%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
9.2%
Pasadena +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | 37.5% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 16.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 18.6% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 28.6% | Pasadena + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 16.4% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
67.0°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
21.2 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Pasadena +
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pasadena
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Pasadena + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pasadena
24.8 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 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 Pasadena. Pasadena has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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