Paterson, NJ vs Phoenix, AZ
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.
Paterson
63.6
#1757 nationally
Phoenix
66.7
#1514 nationally
Paterson leads in walk score (76 vs 41). Phoenix leads in median household income ($65,891 vs $52,092). Phoenix leads in cost of living index (106 vs 122).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Phoenix, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 63.6 (#1757) | 66.7 (#1514) |
| Population | 156,452 | 1,650,070 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $542,128 | $408,770 |
| Median Household Income | $52,092 | $65,891 |
| Average Commute | 23.4 min | 26.7 min |
| Walk Score | 76 | 41 |
| Crime Level | 26.8 | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | N/A | 5.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 122 | 106 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+2.9 | R+3.5 |
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 →
D
66.7 Score
Phoenix, AZ
Valley of the Sun with explosive growth
Median Home
$408,770
Population
1,650,070
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C+
Southwest
View Phoenix, AZ →