Mesa, AZ 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.
Mesa
67
#1475 nationally
Paterson
63.6
#1757 nationally
Mesa leads in crime level (13.2 vs 26.8). Paterson leads in walk score (76 vs 38). Mesa leads in median household income ($73,766 vs $52,092).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Paterson, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67 (#1475) | 63.6 (#1757) |
| Population | 511,648 | 156,452 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $433,754 | $542,128 |
| Median Household Income | $73,766 | $52,092 |
| Average Commute | 24.8 min | 23.4 min |
| Walk Score | 38 | 76 |
| Crime Level | 13.2 | 26.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 122 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+3.5 | R+2.9 |
D+
67 Score
Mesa, AZ
Major Arizona city with a diverse economy
Median Home
$433,754
Population
511,648
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
38
Southwest
View Mesa, AZ →
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 →