Paterson NJ vs Washington DC — 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
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Paterson
N/A
Washington
672,079
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Paterson
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Paterson
N/A
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
Paterson
N/A
Washington
13.3%
White
Paterson
N/A
Washington
39.1%
Black
Paterson
N/A
Washington
43.3%
Asian
Paterson
N/A
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Paterson
N/A
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Paterson
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 672,079 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 34.9 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 13.3% | - |
| White | N/A | 39.1% | - |
| Black | N/A | 43.3% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 4.1% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 11.6% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Paterson
N/A
Washington
$106,287
Per Capita Income
Paterson
N/A
Washington
$75,253
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Paterson
$77,416
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Paterson
N/A
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Paterson
N/A
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Paterson
N/A
Washington
63.6%
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $106,287 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $75,253 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 6.5% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 14.5% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 63.6% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Paterson
$527,542
Paterson +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Paterson
N/A
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $527,542 | $580,173 | Paterson + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 41.1% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 398 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1999 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Paterson
37.5%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Paterson
16.1%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Paterson
18.6%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Paterson
28.6%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Paterson
16.4%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 24.0% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Paterson
N/A
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Paterson
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Paterson +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Paterson
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Washington, DC | 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
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 32.8 min | - |
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 398 in Washington. Paterson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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