Montclair, 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.
Montclair
60.8
#1923 nationally
Paterson
63.6
#1757 nationally
Montclair leads in crime level (17.6 vs 26.8). Montclair leads in median household income ($72,789 vs $52,092). Paterson leads in average commute (23.4 min vs 31.3 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Montclair, CA | Paterson, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 60.8 (#1923) | 63.6 (#1757) |
| Population | 37,545 | 156,452 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $661,144 | $542,128 |
| Median Household Income | $72,789 | $52,092 |
| Average Commute | 31.3 min | 23.4 min |
| Walk Score | 57 | 76 |
| Crime Level | 17.6 | 26.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 139 | 122 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+2.1 | R+2.9 |
D-
60.8 Score
Montclair, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$661,144
Population
37,545
Crime
High
Walk Score
57
Pacific
View Montclair, 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 →