Paterson NJ vs Rockford IL — 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
Rockford, IL
Illinois · Population: 147,649
- Median HH Income$53,328
- Median Home Price$180,220
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+23.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Paterson
N/A
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Paterson
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Paterson
N/A
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Paterson
N/A
Rockford
12.3%
White
Paterson
N/A
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Paterson
N/A
Rockford
21.8%
Asian
Paterson
N/A
Rockford
3.7%
Hispanic
Paterson
N/A
Rockford
20.6%
Spanish at Home
Paterson
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 147,649 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 37.5 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 12.3% | - |
| White | N/A | 55.5% | - |
| Black | N/A | 21.8% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 3.7% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 20.6% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Paterson
N/A
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Paterson
N/A
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Rockford
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Paterson
N/A
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Paterson
N/A
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Paterson
N/A
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $53,328 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $30,409 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $68,110 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 8.6% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 21.9% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 23.2% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Paterson
$527,542
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Paterson
N/A
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $527,542 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 53.8% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Rockford
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 344 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1842 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Paterson
37.5%
Paterson +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Paterson
16.1%
Rockford
15.4%
Rockford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Paterson
18.6%
Paterson +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Paterson
28.6%
Rockford
14.0%
Rockford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Rockford
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Paterson
16.4%
Paterson +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 44.7% | Paterson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.4% | Rockford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 19.0% | Paterson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 14.0% | Rockford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.5% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 18.1% | Paterson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Paterson
N/A
Rockford
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Paterson
N/A
Rockford
36.2 in
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 36.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Paterson +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Paterson
75.0%
Paterson +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Paterson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Paterson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Paterson
N/A
Rockford
22.7 min
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 22.7 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Rockford. Paterson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Paterson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Paterson, NJLos Angeles, CA vs Paterson, NJChicago, IL vs Paterson, NJHouston, TX vs Paterson, NJPaterson, NJ vs Phoenix, AZPaterson, NJ vs Philadelphia, PA