Fairfield, CA vs Paterson, NJ
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Fairfield
62.9
#1812 nationally
Paterson
63.6
#1757 nationally
Paterson leads in walk score (76 vs 37). Fairfield leads in crime level (13.6 vs 26.8). Fairfield leads in median household income ($98,857 vs $52,092).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Fairfield, CA | Paterson, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.9 (#1812) | 63.6 (#1757) |
| Population | 120,768 | 156,452 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $605,863 | $542,128 |
| Median Household Income | $98,857 | $52,092 |
| Average Commute | 32.3 min | 23.4 min |
| Walk Score | 37 | 76 |
| Crime Level | 13.6 | 26.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 151 | 122 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+23.0 | R+2.9 |
D-
62.9 Score
Fairfield, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$605,863
Population
120,768
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
37
Pacific
View Fairfield, CA →
D
63.6 Score
Paterson, NJ
Mid-size New Jersey city with community character
Median Home
$542,128
Population
156,452
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
76
Northeast
View Paterson, NJ →
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