Paterson, NJ vs Santa Maria, 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
Santa Maria
63.3
#1783 nationally
Santa Maria leads in median household income ($81,237 vs $52,092). Santa Maria leads in crime level (18.1 vs 26.8). Paterson leads in walk score (76 vs 52).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Santa Maria, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 63.6 (#1757) | 63.3 (#1783) |
| Population | 156,452 | 109,987 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $542,128 | $668,983 |
| Median Household Income | $52,092 | $81,237 |
| Average Commute | 23.4 min | 22.1 min |
| Walk Score | 76 | 52 |
| Crime Level | 26.8 | 18.1 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 122 | 138 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+2.9 | D+26.7 |
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
63.3 Score
Santa Maria, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$668,983
Population
109,987
Crime
High
Walk Score
52
Pacific
View Santa Maria, CA →
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