Paterson NJ vs Portland OR — 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
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Paterson
N/A
Portland
642,715
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Paterson
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Paterson
N/A
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Paterson
N/A
Portland
12.4%
White
Paterson
N/A
Portland
70.1%
Black
Paterson
N/A
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Paterson
N/A
Portland
8.1%
Hispanic
Paterson
N/A
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Paterson
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 642,715 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 38.6 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 12.4% | - |
| White | N/A | 70.1% | - |
| Black | N/A | 5.8% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 8.1% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 11.3% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Paterson
N/A
Portland
$88,792
Per Capita Income
Paterson
N/A
Portland
$55,312
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Portland
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Paterson
N/A
Portland
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Paterson
N/A
Portland
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Paterson
N/A
Portland
53.5%
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $88,792 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $55,312 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $63,691 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.5% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 12.8% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 53.5% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Paterson
$527,542
Paterson +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Paterson
N/A
Portland
52.8%
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $527,542 | $538,687 | Paterson + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 52.8% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Portland
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 355 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 3001 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Paterson
37.5%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Paterson
16.1%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Paterson
18.6%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Paterson
28.6%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Paterson
16.4%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 17.7% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Paterson
N/A
Portland
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Paterson
N/A
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 78.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Paterson +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Paterson
75.0%
Paterson +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Paterson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Paterson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Paterson
N/A
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 26.5 min | - |
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 355 in Portland. Paterson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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