Hercules, CA 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.
Hercules
63.3
#1776 nationally
Paterson
63.6
#1757 nationally
Hercules leads in crime level (4.6 vs 26.8). Paterson leads in walk score (76 vs 29). Hercules leads in median household income ($125,880 vs $52,092).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Hercules, CA | Paterson, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 63.3 (#1776) | 63.6 (#1757) |
| Population | 26,582 | 156,452 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $743,984 | $542,128 |
| Median Household Income | $125,880 | $52,092 |
| Average Commute | 40.4 min | 23.4 min |
| Walk Score | 29 | 76 |
| Crime Level | 4.6 | 26.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 171 | 122 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+38.0 | R+2.9 |
D
63.3 Score
Hercules, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$743,984
Population
26,582
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
29
Pacific
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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
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