Paterson NJ vs Worcester MA — 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
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Paterson
N/A
Worcester
205,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Paterson
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Paterson
N/A
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
Paterson
N/A
Worcester
23.2%
White
Paterson
N/A
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Paterson
N/A
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Paterson
N/A
Worcester
6.9%
Hispanic
Paterson
N/A
Worcester
24.9%
Spanish at Home
Paterson
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 205,501 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 34.1 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 23.2% | - |
| White | N/A | 58.0% | - |
| Black | N/A | 12.1% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 6.9% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 24.9% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Paterson
N/A
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Paterson
N/A
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Paterson
$77,416
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Paterson
N/A
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Paterson
N/A
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Paterson
N/A
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $67,544 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $35,825 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 6.4% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 19.8% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 34.1% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Paterson
$527,542
Worcester
$435,532
Worcester +
Homeownership Rate
Paterson
N/A
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $527,542 | $435,532 | Worcester + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 42.4% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Worcester
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Paterson
1426
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 326 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Paterson
37.5%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Paterson
16.1%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Paterson
18.6%
Paterson +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Paterson
28.6%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Paterson
16.4%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 19.9% | Paterson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 17.1% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.5% | Worcester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Paterson
N/A
Worcester
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Paterson
N/A
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Paterson
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Paterson
N/A
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 27.3 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,532. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Worcester. Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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