Laurel, MD 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.
Laurel
66.4
#1547 nationally
Paterson
63.6
#1757 nationally
Laurel leads in crime level (10.8 vs 26.8). Laurel leads in median household income ($92,035 vs $52,092). Paterson leads in walk score (76 vs 53).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Laurel, MD | Paterson, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.4 (#1547) | 63.6 (#1757) |
| Population | 29,400 | 156,452 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $478,130 | $542,128 |
| Median Household Income | $92,035 | $52,092 |
| Average Commute | 33.5 min | 23.4 min |
| Walk Score | 53 | 76 |
| Crime Level | 10.8 | 26.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 125 | 122 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+13.9 | R+2.9 |
D
66.4 Score
Laurel, MD
Small Maryland city with local appeal
Median Home
$478,130
Population
29,400
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
53
Northeast
View Laurel, MD →
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 →