Paterson NJ vs Scottsdale AZ — 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
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Paterson
N/A
Scottsdale
242,169
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Paterson
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Paterson
N/A
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Paterson
N/A
Scottsdale
11.2%
White
Paterson
N/A
Scottsdale
81.8%
Black
Paterson
N/A
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Paterson
N/A
Scottsdale
5.1%
Hispanic
Paterson
N/A
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Paterson
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 242,169 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 49.2 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 11.2% | - |
| White | N/A | 81.8% | - |
| Black | N/A | 2.0% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 5.1% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 9.4% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Paterson
N/A
Scottsdale
$107,372
Per Capita Income
Paterson
N/A
Scottsdale
$82,697
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Paterson
N/A
Scottsdale
3.4%
Poverty Rate
Paterson
N/A
Scottsdale
7.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Paterson
N/A
Scottsdale
61.5%
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $107,372 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $82,697 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $59,120 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 3.4% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 7.1% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 61.5% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Paterson
$527,542
Paterson +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Paterson
N/A
Scottsdale
67.6%
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $527,542 | $858,307 | Paterson + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 67.6% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
Scottsdale
2150
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 450 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2150 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Paterson
37.5%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Paterson
16.1%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Paterson
18.6%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Paterson
28.6%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Scottsdale
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Paterson
16.4%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.4% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Paterson
N/A
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Paterson
N/A
Scottsdale
10.3 in
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 10.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Paterson
75.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Paterson
N/A
Scottsdale
23.2 min
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 23.2 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 450 in Scottsdale. Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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