Paterson NJ vs Plano TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Paterson
N/A
Plano
287,339
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Paterson
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Paterson
N/A
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
Paterson
N/A
Plano
28.7%
White
Paterson
N/A
Plano
53.2%
Black
Paterson
N/A
Plano
9.0%
Asian
Paterson
N/A
Plano
22.6%
Hispanic
Paterson
N/A
Plano
16.2%
Spanish at Home
Paterson
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 287,339 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 39.3 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 28.7% | - |
| White | N/A | 53.2% | - |
| Black | N/A | 9.0% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 22.6% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 16.2% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Paterson
N/A
Plano
$108,649
Per Capita Income
Paterson
N/A
Plano
$57,753
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Plano
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Paterson
N/A
Plano
4.1%
Poverty Rate
Paterson
N/A
Plano
7.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Paterson
N/A
Plano
59.2%
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $108,649 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $57,753 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $63,758 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.1% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 7.1% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 59.2% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Paterson
$527,542
Plano
$507,575
Plano +
Homeownership Rate
Paterson
N/A
Plano
56.6%
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $527,542 | $507,575 | Plano + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 56.6% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Plano
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
Plano
2339
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 442 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2339 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Paterson
37.5%
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Paterson
16.1%
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Paterson
18.6%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Paterson
28.6%
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Plano
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Paterson
16.4%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 31.2% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 9.9% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 10.3% | Plano + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.4% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Paterson
N/A
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Paterson
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Plano, TX | 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.)
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Paterson +
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Paterson
75.0%
Paterson +
Plano
55.0%
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Paterson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Paterson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Paterson
N/A
Plano
27.6 min
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 27.6 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $507,575. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Plano. Paterson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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