Paterson NJ vs Stamford CT — 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
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Paterson
N/A
Stamford
135,806
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Paterson
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Paterson
N/A
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Paterson
N/A
Stamford
31.8%
White
Paterson
N/A
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Paterson
N/A
Stamford
19.9%
Asian
Paterson
N/A
Stamford
7.1%
Hispanic
Paterson
N/A
Stamford
28.1%
Spanish at Home
Paterson
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 135,806 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 38.2 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 31.8% | - |
| White | N/A | 49.1% | - |
| Black | N/A | 19.9% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 7.1% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 28.1% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Paterson
N/A
Stamford
$107,474
Per Capita Income
Paterson
N/A
Stamford
$64,382
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Paterson
$77,416
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Paterson
N/A
Stamford
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Paterson
N/A
Stamford
9.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Paterson
N/A
Stamford
51.7%
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $107,474 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $64,382 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.9% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 9.5% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 51.7% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Paterson
$527,542
Paterson +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Paterson
N/A
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $527,542 | $708,498 | Paterson + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 47.5% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Paterson
218
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
Stamford
1524
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1524 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Paterson
37.5%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Paterson
16.1%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Paterson
18.6%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Paterson
28.6%
Stamford
12.3%
Stamford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Stamford
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Paterson
16.4%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 12.3% | Stamford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.4% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Paterson
N/A
Stamford
52.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Paterson
N/A
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Paterson
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Paterson
N/A
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 30.1 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Paterson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $527,542. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 218 in Paterson. Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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