Appleton, WI vs Paterson, NJ
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.
Appleton
77.6
#227 nationally
Paterson
63.6
#1757 nationally
Appleton leads in crime level (5.5 vs 26.8). Paterson leads in walk score (76 vs 44). Appleton leads in median household income ($75,469 vs $52,092).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Appleton, WI | Paterson, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 77.6 (#227) | 63.6 (#1757) |
| Population | 74,719 | 156,452 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $309,058 | $542,128 |
| Median Household Income | $75,469 | $52,092 |
| Average Commute | 19.4 min | 23.4 min |
| Walk Score | 44 | 76 |
| Crime Level | 5.5 | 26.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 94 | 122 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+10.2 | R+2.9 |
C+
77.6 Score
Appleton, WI
Wisconsin community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$309,058
Population
74,719
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
44
Midwest
View Appleton, WI →
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 →