Ithaca, NY 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.
Paterson
63.6
#1757 nationally
Ithaca leads in crime level (5.4 vs 26.8). Ithaca leads in average commute (18.4 min vs 23.4 min). Paterson leads in median household income ($52,092 vs $45,468).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Ithaca, NY | Paterson, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,724 | 156,452 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $0 | $542,128 |
| Median Household Income | $45,468 | $52,092 |
| Average Commute | 18.4 min | 23.4 min |
| Walk Score | 72 | 76 |
| Crime Level | 5.4 | 26.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 117 | 122 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+50.6 | R+2.9 |
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Score
Ithaca, NY
Small New York city with local appeal
Population
32,724
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
72
Median Income
$45,468
Northeast
View Ithaca, NY →
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 →