Paterson, New Jersey
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Paterson.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Paterson?
Paterson planning snapshot: population 160,463, housing index 109 (near the U.S. housing-cost baseline), median home $335,400, median rent $1,457, and income near $53,766. Expect 83°F summer highs, 25°F winter lows, and about 30-minute one-way commutes. Violent-offense rates run about 841.5 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 109U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $335,400U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,457U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $53,766U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 5.3%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 30 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 841.5per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 83°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Paterson compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 160,463City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $53,766Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year32% below U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 109ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year9% above U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $335,400City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year11% above U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,457City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year8% above U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 5.3%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 30 min20% above U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 7873% above U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 841.5annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)43% above U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 2162annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)30% below U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 83°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals4.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 25°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals9.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 44.9 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals36% above U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 232As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals13% below U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Paterson grew 9.6% from 146,391 in 2010 to 160,463 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Paterson expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Paterson's housing cost index is 109 versus 100 nationally — near the U.S. housing-cost baseline. That gap is driven mainly by ACS median home values ($335,400 vs $303,400) and rents ($1,457 vs $1,348).
- Housing cost index 109 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $335,400 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,457 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Paterson?
Typical ownership costs center near $335,400, while median gross rent is about $1,457 a month. Against a median household income of $53,766, rent alone is roughly 33% of income on an annualized basis.
- Median home value $335,400
- Median rent $1,457/month
- Median household income $53,766
What is the job market like in Paterson?
County unemployment recently ran 5.3% versus a U.S. rate of 4.2%. Median household income in Paterson is about $53,766 (U.S. $78,538).
- Unemployment 5.3% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $53,766
How long is the typical commute in Paterson?
Average one-way commute time is about 30 minutes, with Walk Score near 78/100. The catalog-city average commute is 25 minutes.
- 30 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 78/100
Is Paterson safer than similar U.S. cities?
Published violent-offense rates are about 841.5 per 100k and property about 2162 per 100k, versus catalog averages of 586.6 and 3087.9. Citywide rates hide large neighborhood differences.
- Violent 841.5 per 100k
- Property 2162 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Paterson?
Normals show summer highs near 83°F, winter lows near 25°F, about 44.9 inches of rain, and roughly 232 sunny days a year.
- Summer high 83°F
- Winter low 25°F
- 44.9 in rain · 232 sunny days
Dense suburbs, port logistics, and quick Manhattan access define many towns. Expect summer highs near 83°F and winter lows around 25°F. Average one-way commute time is about 30 minutes, and Walk Score estimates land around 78/100. Labor-market readings near 5.3% unemployment are neither boom nor bust by national standards. FBI CDE violent-offense rates run comparatively high (~841.5 per 100k annualized), so block-by-block due diligence is especially important.
Paterson, New Jersey counts about 160,463 residents inside the city limits. With median income around $53,766 and a cost index of 109, the market reads close to the national housing-cost baseline. A typical home near $335,400 and rents around $1,457 frame most shortlists.
Paterson is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Paterson with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Paterson city, 1600000US3457000) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Passaic County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00054743 CALDWELL ESSEX CO AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10