Paterson NJ vs Stockton 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
Stockton, CA
California · Population: 320,470
- Median HH Income$76,851
- Median Home Price$431,297
- Unemployment8.0%
- Bachelor's+19.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Paterson
N/A
Stockton
320,470
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Paterson
N/A
Stockton
N/A
Median Age
Paterson
N/A
Stockton
33.7
Foreign Born
Paterson
N/A
Stockton
25.9%
White
Paterson
N/A
Stockton
26.6%
Black
Paterson
N/A
Stockton
11.6%
Asian
Paterson
N/A
Stockton
21.1%
Hispanic
Paterson
N/A
Stockton
45.2%
Spanish at Home
Paterson
N/A
Stockton
N/A
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 320,470 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 33.7 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 25.9% | - |
| White | N/A | 26.6% | - |
| Black | N/A | 11.6% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 21.1% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 45.2% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Paterson
N/A
Stockton
$76,851
Per Capita Income
Paterson
N/A
Stockton
$31,279
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Stockton
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Paterson
N/A
Stockton
8.0%
Poverty Rate
Paterson
N/A
Stockton
15.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Paterson
N/A
Stockton
19.1%
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $76,851 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $31,279 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $77,230 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 8.0% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 15.4% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 19.1% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Paterson
$527,542
Stockton
$431,297
Stockton +
Homeownership Rate
Paterson
N/A
Stockton
53.2%
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $527,542 | $431,297 | Stockton + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 53.2% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Stockton
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
Stockton
2388
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Stockton, 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%
Stockton
31.8%
Stockton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Paterson
16.1%
Stockton
13.5%
Stockton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Paterson
18.6%
Stockton
18.1%
Stockton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Paterson
28.6%
Stockton
15.0%
Stockton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Paterson
14.3%
Stockton
13.3%
Stockton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Paterson
16.4%
Stockton
13.8%
Stockton +
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 31.8% | Stockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 13.5% | Stockton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 18.1% | Stockton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 15.0% | Stockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 13.3% | Stockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 13.8% | Stockton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Paterson
N/A
Stockton
62.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Paterson
N/A
Stockton
17.8 in
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 17.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Stockton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Paterson
75.0%
Stockton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Stockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Paterson
N/A
Stockton
33.2 min
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Stockton, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 33.2 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Stockton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $431,297. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Stockton. Stockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stockton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
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