Paterson, NJ vs Shafter, 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
Shafter
70.7
#1077 nationally
Shafter leads in crime level (7.6 vs 26.8). Paterson leads in walk score (76 vs 45). Shafter leads in median household income ($66,418 vs $52,092).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Shafter, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 63.6 (#1757) | 70.7 (#1077) |
| Population | 156,452 | 21,915 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $542,128 | $387,324 |
| Median Household Income | $52,092 | $66,418 |
| Average Commute | 23.4 min | 22 min |
| Walk Score | 76 | 45 |
| Crime Level | 26.8 | 7.6 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 122 | 112 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+2.9 | R+21.1 |
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 →
C-
70.7 Score
Shafter, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$387,324
Population
21,915
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
45
Pacific
View Shafter, CA →