Paterson NJ vs Springfield 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
Springfield, IL
Illinois · Population: 113,714
- Median HH Income$65,537
- Median Home Price$168,312
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+35.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Paterson
N/A
Springfield
113,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Paterson
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Paterson
N/A
Springfield
40.7
Foreign Born
Paterson
N/A
Springfield
4.5%
White
Paterson
N/A
Springfield
70.5%
Black
Paterson
N/A
Springfield
19.8%
Asian
Paterson
N/A
Springfield
2.9%
Hispanic
Paterson
N/A
Springfield
3.4%
Spanish at Home
Paterson
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 113,714 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 40.7 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 4.5% | - |
| White | N/A | 70.5% | - |
| Black | N/A | 19.8% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 2.9% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 3.4% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Paterson
N/A
Springfield
$65,537
Per Capita Income
Paterson
N/A
Springfield
$41,110
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Springfield
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Paterson
N/A
Springfield
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Paterson
N/A
Springfield
16.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Paterson
N/A
Springfield
35.1%
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $65,537 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $41,110 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $68,110 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 6.7% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 16.5% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 35.1% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Paterson
$527,542
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Paterson
N/A
Springfield
63.4%
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $527,542 | $168,312 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 63.4% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Springfield
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
Springfield
1842
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Springfield, 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 +
Springfield
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Paterson
16.1%
Springfield
12.9%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Paterson
18.6%
Springfield
17.3%
Springfield +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Paterson
28.6%
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Springfield
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Paterson
16.4%
Springfield
14.7%
Springfield +
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 41.1% | Paterson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.9% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 17.3% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 8.2% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.7% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.7% | Springfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Paterson
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Paterson
N/A
Springfield
37.7 in
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Paterson +
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Paterson
75.0%
Paterson +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Springfield, 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
Springfield
19.4 min
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 19.4 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $168,312. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Springfield. 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%.
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