Paterson NJ vs Providence RI — 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

Providence, RI

Rhode Island · Population: 190,214

Median HH Income$66,772
Median Home Price$429,449
Unemployment7.4%
Bachelor's+34.7%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population

Paterson

N/A

Providence

190,214

Pop. Density / sq mi

Lower = more space

Paterson

N/A

Providence

N/A

Median Age

Paterson

N/A

Providence

32.9

Foreign Born

Paterson

N/A

Providence

32.8%

White

Paterson

N/A

Providence

40.7%

Black

Paterson

N/A

Providence

13.3%

Asian

Paterson

N/A

Providence

5.9%

Hispanic

Paterson

N/A

Providence

44.3%

Spanish at Home

Paterson

N/A

Providence

N/A

Metric	Paterson, NJ	Providence, RI	Better
Population	N/A	190,214	-
Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space	N/A	N/A	-
Median Age	N/A	32.9	-
Foreign Born	N/A	32.8%	-
White	N/A	40.7%	-
Black	N/A	13.3%	-
Asian	N/A	5.9%	-
Hispanic	N/A	44.3%	-
Spanish at Home	N/A	N/A	-

Economy

Median HH Income

Paterson

N/A

Providence

$66,772

Per Capita Income

Paterson

N/A

Providence

$36,694

Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)

BEA MSA-level

Paterson

$77,416

Paterson +

Providence

$64,538

Unemployment Rate

Paterson

N/A

Providence

7.4%

Poverty Rate

Paterson

N/A

Providence

20.1%

Bachelor's Degree+

Paterson

N/A

Providence

34.7%

Metric	Paterson, NJ	Providence, RI	Better
Median HH Income	N/A	$66,772	-
Per Capita Income	N/A	$36,694	-
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level	$77,416	$64,538	Paterson +
Unemployment Rate	N/A	7.4%	-
Poverty Rate	N/A	20.1%	-
Bachelor's Degree+	N/A	34.7%	-

Housing

Median Home Value

Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS

Paterson

$527,542

Providence

$429,449

Providence +

Homeownership Rate

Paterson

N/A

Providence

41.2%

Metric	Paterson, NJ	Providence, RI	Better
Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS	$527,542	$429,449	Providence +
Homeownership Rate	N/A	41.2%	-

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K

FBI CDE (state-level est.)

Paterson

218

Providence

174

Providence +

Property Crime / 100K

FBI CDE (state-level est.)

Paterson

1426

Providence

1303

Providence +

Metric	Paterson, NJ	Providence, RI	Better
Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.)	218	174	Providence +
Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.)	1426	1303	Providence +

Health

Obesity Rate

CDC PLACES

Paterson

37.5%

Providence

34.4%

Providence +

Diabetes Rate

CDC PLACES

Paterson

16.1%

Providence

11.5%

Providence +

Poor Mental Health

CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month

Paterson

18.6%

Paterson +

Providence

19.6%

No Health Insurance

CDC PLACES

Paterson

28.6%

Providence

14.6%

Providence +

Binge Drinking

CDC PLACES

Paterson

14.3%

Paterson +

Providence

16.7%

Current Smokers

CDC PLACES

Paterson

16.4%

Providence

12.1%

Providence +

Metric	Paterson, NJ	Providence, RI	Better
Obesity RateCDC PLACES	37.5%	34.4%	Providence +
Diabetes RateCDC PLACES	16.1%	11.5%	Providence +
Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month	18.6%	19.6%	Paterson +
No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES	28.6%	14.6%	Providence +
Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES	14.3%	16.7%	Paterson +
Current SmokersCDC PLACES	16.4%	12.1%	Providence +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp

NOAA 1991–2020 normal

Paterson

N/A

Providence

N/A

Annual Precipitation

NOAA 1991–2020 normal

Paterson

N/A

Providence

N/A

Metric	Paterson, NJ	Providence, RI	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

Providence

7.1 µg/m³

Providence +

Good Air Days

AQI ≤ 50

Paterson

75.0%

Providence

75.0%

Tie

Metric	Paterson, NJ	Providence, RI	Better
PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.)	8.7 µg/m³	7.1 µg/m³	Providence +
Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50	75.0%	75.0%	Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time

Census ACS

Paterson

N/A

Providence

27.4 min

Metric	Paterson, NJ	Providence, RI	Better
Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS	N/A	27.4 min	-

Which City is Right for You?

Providence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,449. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 218 in Paterson. Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.

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About Paterson & Providence

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