Paterson NJ vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Paterson
N/A
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Paterson
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Paterson
N/A
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Foreign Born
Paterson
N/A
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Paterson
N/A
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Paterson
N/A
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Asian
Paterson
N/A
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Paterson
N/A
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Paterson
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 107,699 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 28.2 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 4.7% | - |
| White | N/A | 49.6% | - |
| Black | N/A | 42.8% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 2.6% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 5.2% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Paterson
N/A
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Paterson
N/A
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Paterson
N/A
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Paterson
N/A
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Paterson
N/A
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $48,536 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $31,324 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $51,690 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 7.0% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 23.8% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 38.1% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Paterson
$527,542
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Paterson
N/A
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $527,542 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 45.1% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Tuscaloosa
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
Tuscaloosa
1734
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 400 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1734 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Paterson
37.5%
Paterson +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Paterson
16.1%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Paterson
18.6%
Paterson +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Paterson
28.6%
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tuscaloosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Paterson
16.4%
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 42.6% | Paterson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 21.3% | Paterson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 11.5% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.1% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Paterson
N/A
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Paterson
N/A
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Paterson +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Paterson
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Paterson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Paterson
N/A
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 20.0 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Tuscaloosa. 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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