Newark
New Jersey
Pop. 307,355
VS
Paterson
New Jersey
Pop. 157,864

Full comparison across 7 data categories from U.S. government sources

61
Overall Score /100
Wins 1 of 7 categories
63
Overall Score /100
Wins 1 of 7 categories
It's a tie 1–1
based on 7 categories of official U.S. government data
⚡ TL;DR
Paterson wins 1–1 overall (63/100)
💰 Newark is more affordable
💼 Paterson has lower unemployment
🛡️ Paterson has fewer disasters

📋 Newark vs Paterson — The Verdict

It's a close call — Newark (61.5/100) and Paterson (63/100) each win 1 categories. Housing costs are nearly identical between the two cities.

💡 Key Differences
💰
Renting in Newark saves you $119/month — that's $1,428 per year.
💵
Households in Paterson earn $5,632 more per year (12% higher median income).
💰 Newark vs Paterson: Cost of Living Comparison
65
vs
65
Median Home Value
$312,300
$314,100
Median Rent /mo
$1,273
$1,392
Median Income
$46,460
$52,092
Electricity ¢/kWh
¢
¢
Housing costs are remarkably similar between these two cities — just 1% apart on median home values. Your decision here will likely come down to other factors like jobs and climate.
💼 Newark vs Paterson: Job Market & Salaries
25
vs
35
Unemployment Rate
5.4%
5.4%
Job Growth YoY
%
%
Labor Force
N/A
N/A
Job markets are essentially equivalent in both cities — the difference in unemployment rates is negligible. Focus on which city has more openings in your specific field.
🌡️ Newark vs Paterson: Weather & Climate
50
vs
50
Summer High
°F
°F
Winter Low
°F
°F
Sunny Days /yr
Annual Rain
"
"
Annual Snow
"
"
📊 See Full City Rankings →
🌿 Newark vs Paterson: Air Quality & Environment
100
vs
100
Air Quality (AQI)
17 Good
17 Good
Toxic Facilities (TRI)
0
0
Water Violations
0
0
Environmental conditions are broadly similar between the two cities based on current EPA monitoring data.
🌐 Newark vs Paterson: Internet & Infrastructure
50
vs
50
Max Internet Speed
N/A Mbps
N/A Mbps
ISP Providers
0
0
Fiber Available
❌ No
❌ No
Solar Potential (kWh/m²/day)
Internet and utility infrastructure data helps assess remote work viability and monthly overhead costs in each city.
⚠️ Newark vs Paterson: Natural Disaster Risk
95
vs
95
Disasters (20 years)
15
14
Flood Zone
None
None
Earthquake Risk
Low
Low
Hurricane Risk
High
High
Natural disaster exposure is comparable between both cities based on FEMA declaration data.

❓ Moving from Newark to Paterson: Common Questions

Is Newark or Paterson cheaper to live in?
Newark is more affordable overall. Home prices are $1,800 lower in Newark. Monthly rent is $1,273 in Newark vs $1,392 in Paterson.
Does Newark or Paterson have better weather?
Paterson scores higher on climate (50/100 vs 50/100).
Is Newark or Paterson better for finding a job?
Paterson currently has a stronger job market. Unemployment is 5.4% in Newark vs 5.4% in Paterson. Median household income is $46,460 in Newark and $52,092 in Paterson.
Which city is safer — Newark or Paterson?
In terms of natural disaster risk, Paterson is safer. Newark has had 15 federal disaster declarations in 20 years vs 14 in Paterson. Newark scores 95/100 on safety vs 95/100 for Paterson.
Should I move from Newark to Paterson?
Based on our data, Paterson scores 63.0/100 vs Newark's 61.5/100 overall. The best choice depends on your priorities — Paterson is more affordable, while Paterson has a better climate.

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📊 Data: U.S. Census Bureau (ACS), Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), NOAA Climate Normals, EPA AirNow & TRI, NREL PVWatts, FEMA Disaster Declarations, FCC Broadband Data. Last updated: April 4, 2026.