Paterson NJ vs Sparks NV — 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
Sparks, NV
Nevada · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$530,668
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Paterson
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Paterson
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Paterson
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Paterson
N/A
Sparks
N/A
White
Paterson
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Black
Paterson
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Paterson
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Paterson
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Paterson
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | N/A | - |
| White | N/A | N/A | - |
| Black | N/A | N/A | - |
| Asian | N/A | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Paterson
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Paterson
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Sparks
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Paterson
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Paterson
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Paterson
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $62,696 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Paterson
$527,542
Paterson +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
Paterson
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $527,542 | $530,668 | Paterson + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Sparks
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 460 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2417 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Paterson
37.5%
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Paterson
16.1%
Sparks
9.8%
Sparks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Paterson
18.6%
Sparks
18.1%
Sparks +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Paterson
28.6%
Sparks
13.8%
Sparks +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Paterson
16.4%
Sparks
12.9%
Sparks +
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 28.6% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 9.8% | Sparks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 18.1% | Sparks + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 13.8% | Sparks + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 18.7% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.9% | Sparks + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Paterson
N/A
Sparks
52.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Paterson
N/A
Sparks
8.3 in
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 8.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Paterson
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Paterson
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | N/A | - |
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 460 in Sparks. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sparks scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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