Paterson, NJ vs Ruston, LA
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
Ruston
72.3
#911 nationally
Paterson leads in walk score (76 vs 25). Ruston leads in crime level (11.7 vs 26.8). Ruston leads in average commute (13.9 min vs 23.4 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Ruston, LA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 63.6 (#1757) | 72.3 (#911) |
| Population | 156,452 | 22,233 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $542,128 | $229,937 |
| Median Household Income | $52,092 | $32,877 |
| Average Commute | 23.4 min | 13.9 min |
| Walk Score | 76 | 25 |
| Crime Level | 26.8 | 11.7 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 122 | 95 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+2.9 | R+25.4 |
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 →
C-
72.3 Score
Ruston, LA
Small Louisiana city with local appeal
Median Home
$229,937
Population
22,233
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
25
Southeast
View Ruston, LA →