Paterson NJ vs Rochester NY — 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
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Paterson
N/A
Rochester
209,720
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Paterson
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Paterson
N/A
Rochester
33.5
Foreign Born
Paterson
N/A
Rochester
8.3%
White
Paterson
N/A
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Paterson
N/A
Rochester
37.5%
Asian
Paterson
N/A
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Paterson
N/A
Rochester
20.0%
Spanish at Home
Paterson
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 209,720 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 33.5 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 8.3% | - |
| White | N/A | 41.5% | - |
| Black | N/A | 37.5% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 3.2% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 20.0% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Paterson
N/A
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Paterson
N/A
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Paterson
$77,416
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Paterson
N/A
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Paterson
N/A
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Paterson
N/A
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $46,628 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $30,451 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 7.9% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 26.6% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 29.9% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Paterson
$527,542
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Paterson
N/A
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $527,542 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 37.2% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
Rochester
1736
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 434 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1736 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Paterson
37.5%
Paterson +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Paterson
16.1%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Paterson
18.6%
Paterson +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Paterson
28.6%
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Paterson
16.4%
Paterson +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 38.0% | Paterson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 18.8% | Paterson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 10.9% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.6% | Paterson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Paterson
N/A
Rochester
48.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Paterson
N/A
Rochester
34.3 in
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 34.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Paterson
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Paterson
N/A
Rochester
20.6 min
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 20.6 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Paterson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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