Paterson NJ vs Raleigh NC — 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
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Paterson
N/A
Raleigh
470,763
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Paterson
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Paterson
N/A
Raleigh
34.7
Foreign Born
Paterson
N/A
Raleigh
13.6%
White
Paterson
N/A
Raleigh
53.8%
Black
Paterson
N/A
Raleigh
27.5%
Asian
Paterson
N/A
Raleigh
4.7%
Hispanic
Paterson
N/A
Raleigh
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Paterson
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 470,763 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 34.7 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 13.6% | - |
| White | N/A | 53.8% | - |
| Black | N/A | 27.5% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 4.7% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 12.7% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Paterson
N/A
Raleigh
$82,424
Per Capita Income
Paterson
N/A
Raleigh
$49,948
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Raleigh
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Paterson
N/A
Raleigh
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Paterson
N/A
Raleigh
11.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Paterson
N/A
Raleigh
52.9%
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $82,424 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $49,948 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $59,120 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.5% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 11.4% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 52.9% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Paterson
$527,542
Raleigh
$435,807
Raleigh +
Homeownership Rate
Paterson
N/A
Raleigh
51.2%
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $527,542 | $435,807 | Raleigh + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 51.2% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Raleigh
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
Raleigh
1999
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 398 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1999 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Paterson
37.5%
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Paterson
16.1%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Paterson
18.6%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Paterson
28.6%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Raleigh
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Paterson
16.4%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 30.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Paterson
N/A
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Paterson
N/A
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Paterson
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Paterson
N/A
Raleigh
25.1 min
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 25.1 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,807. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Raleigh. Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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