Paterson NJ vs Renton WA — 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
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Paterson
N/A
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Paterson
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Paterson
N/A
Renton
35.0
Foreign Born
Paterson
N/A
Renton
44.4%
White
Paterson
N/A
Renton
48.7%
Black
Paterson
N/A
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Paterson
N/A
Renton
39.2%
Hispanic
Paterson
N/A
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Paterson
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 75,721 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 35.0 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 44.4% | - |
| White | N/A | 48.7% | - |
| Black | N/A | 2.2% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 39.2% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 6.8% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Paterson
N/A
Renton
$162,099
Per Capita Income
Paterson
N/A
Renton
$89,026
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Renton
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Paterson
N/A
Renton
4.1%
Poverty Rate
Paterson
N/A
Renton
5.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Paterson
N/A
Renton
74.7%
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $162,099 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $89,026 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $76,120 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.1% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 5.8% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 74.7% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Paterson
$527,542
Paterson +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Paterson
N/A
Renton
45.2%
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $527,542 | $765,686 | Paterson + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 45.2% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Renton
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 383 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 3409 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Paterson
37.5%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Paterson
16.1%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Paterson
18.6%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Paterson
28.6%
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Renton
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Paterson
16.4%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 24.0% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 8.5% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 16.0% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 9.1% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.1% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Paterson
N/A
Renton
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Paterson
N/A
Renton
40.1 in
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 40.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Paterson
75.0%
Renton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Paterson
N/A
Renton
25.4 min
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 25.4 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 383 in Renton. Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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