Paterson NJ vs Santa Rosa CA — 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
Santa Rosa, CA
California · Population: 129,239
- Median HH Income$173,670
- Median Home Price$720,443
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+65.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Paterson
N/A
Santa Rosa
129,239
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Paterson
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Paterson
N/A
Santa Rosa
34.5
Foreign Born
Paterson
N/A
Santa Rosa
45.4%
White
Paterson
N/A
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Paterson
N/A
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Paterson
N/A
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Hispanic
Paterson
N/A
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Spanish at Home
Paterson
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 129,239 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 34.5 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 45.4% | - |
| White | N/A | 31.9% | - |
| Black | N/A | 2.1% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 47.6% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 16.1% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Paterson
N/A
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Per Capita Income
Paterson
N/A
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Paterson
N/A
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Paterson
N/A
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Paterson
N/A
Santa Rosa
65.3%
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $173,670 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $84,533 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $77,230 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.4% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 7.8% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 65.3% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Paterson
$527,542
Paterson +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Paterson
N/A
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $527,542 | $720,443 | Paterson + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 41.2% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
Santa Rosa
2388
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 503 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2388 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Paterson
37.5%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Paterson
16.1%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Paterson
18.6%
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Paterson
28.6%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Paterson
16.4%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 16.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.8% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Paterson
N/A
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Paterson
N/A
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 59.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 32.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Paterson
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Rosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Paterson
N/A
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 25.2 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 503 in Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Rosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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