Paterson, NJ vs Riverside, CA
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
Riverside
60.4
#1938 nationally
Paterson leads in walk score (76 vs 43). Riverside leads in crime level (16.2 vs 26.8). Riverside leads in median household income ($83,448 vs $52,092).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Riverside, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 63.6 (#1757) | 60.4 (#1938) |
| Population | 156,452 | 318,858 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $542,128 | $650,289 |
| Median Household Income | $52,092 | $83,448 |
| Average Commute | 23.4 min | 31.3 min |
| Walk Score | 76 | 43 |
| Crime Level | 26.8 | 16.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 122 | 140 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+2.9 | R+1.3 |
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-
60.4 Score
Riverside, CA
Growing California city with expanding opportunities
Median Home
$650,289
Population
318,858
Crime
High
Walk Score
43
Pacific
View Riverside, CA →
Try a different matchup
Swap Paterson for: