Living in Paterson, New Jersey
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Paterson · Census data 2020–2024
Paterson has 158,735 residents with a median age of 33.3. The median household income is $55,997 (46% lower than the New Jersey median), the median home value is $360,100, the median rent is $1,548/month.
Paterson at a glance
- Population
- 158,735
- Median age
- 33.3State: 40.1
- Median household income
- $55,997State: $103,556
- Median home value
- $360,100State: $454,400
- Median rent
- $1,548/moState: $1,720
- Homeowners
- 26.9%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 11.8%
- Average commute
- 23 min
Is Paterson a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 21% lower than the state median; an average commute of 23 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 46% lower than the New Jersey median; unemployment of 10.7%; a poverty rate of 21.2%.
The weather is best in May–June and August–September.
Cost of living in Paterson
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Paterson the median home value is $360,100, 8% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,548 per month, which is 35.6% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,643 a month in housing costs.
Paterson median household income
The median household income in Paterson is $55,997 and the income per person is $24,403. 21.2% of residents live below the poverty line (New Jersey: 9.7%).
Housing in Paterson: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 52,519
- Owner-occupied
- 26.9%
- Renter-occupied
- 73.1%
- Vacant
- 5.1%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1954
- Average household size
- 3.15
Paterson demographics
- Population
- 158,735
- Median age
- 33.3
- Under 18
- 27.7%
- 65 and older
- 12.2%
- Households
- 49,865
- Foreign-born
- 44.6%
- Veterans
- 1.4%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Paterson ›
Education in Paterson
11.8% of adults 25 and older in Paterson have a bachelor's degree or higher (New Jersey: 43.6%), and 3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Paterson
- Unemployment rate
- 10.7%State: 6.3%
- Average commute
- 23 minState: 31 min
- Work from home
- 5.2%
- Drive alone
- 61.3%
- Public transit
- 7.4%
- Walk to work
- 6%
- Homes with broadband
- 89.3%
Paterson vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paterson | 158,735 | $55,997 | $360,100 | $1,548 |
| Prospect Park | 6,319 | $53,125 | $406,800 | $1,647 |
| Haledon | 8,980 | $95,870 | $396,400 | $1,750 |
| Elmwood Park | 21,412 | $101,740 | $483,700 | $2,074 |
| Woodland Park | 13,355 | $98,845 | $497,600 | $1,839 |
| Fair Lawn | 35,610 | $144,574 | $564,700 | $1,917 |
| Hawthorne | 19,628 | $110,237 | $533,700 | $1,830 |
| Totowa | 10,959 | $113,563 | $559,300 | $2,072 |
| North Haledon | 8,778 | $125,313 | $547,600 | $2,369 |
More for people moving to Paterson
Paterson ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Paterson: FAQ
What is the median household income in Paterson, NJ?
The median household income in Paterson is $55,997, 46% lower than the New Jersey median of $103,556 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Paterson?
The median home value in Paterson is $360,100, compared with $454,400 in New Jersey.
How much is rent in Paterson?
The median gross rent in Paterson is $1,548 per month, about 35.6% of household income.
Is Paterson, NJ a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 21% lower than the state median; an average commute of 23 minutes. Minuses: median household income 46% lower than the New Jersey median; unemployment of 10.7%; a poverty rate of 21.2%.
What is the median age in Paterson?
The median age in Paterson is 33.3 years (New Jersey: 40.1).
How long is the commute in Paterson?
The average commute to work in Paterson is 23 minutes; 5.2% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Paterson?
The unemployment rate in Paterson is 10.7% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Paterson?
11.8% of adults in Paterson have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
Last updated: