Paterson, NJ vs Worcester, MA
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
Worcester
66.6
#1530 nationally
Paterson leads in walk score (76 vs 62). Worcester leads in cost of living index (108 vs 122). Paterson leads in average commute (23.4 min vs 26.4 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Worcester, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 63.6 (#1757) | 66.6 (#1530) |
| Population | 156,452 | 206,518 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $542,128 | $441,802 |
| Median Household Income | $52,092 | $52,891 |
| Average Commute | 23.4 min | 26.4 min |
| Walk Score | 76 | 62 |
| Crime Level | 26.8 | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | N/A | 5.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 122 | 108 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+2.9 | D+10.0 |
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
66.6 Score
Worcester, MA
Heart of the Commonwealth
Median Home
$441,802
Population
206,518
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C
Northeast
View Worcester, MA →
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