Paterson, NJ vs Salinas, CA
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
Salinas
63.5
#1766 nationally
Salinas leads in crime level (14.4 vs 26.8). Salinas leads in median household income ($84,250 vs $52,092). Paterson leads in walk score (76 vs 55).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Salinas, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 63.6 (#1757) | 63.5 (#1766) |
| Population | 156,452 | 159,506 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $542,128 | $753,868 |
| Median Household Income | $52,092 | $84,250 |
| Average Commute | 23.4 min | 25.9 min |
| Walk Score | 76 | 55 |
| Crime Level | 26.8 | 14.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 122 | 149 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+2.9 | D+29.9 |
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 →
D
63.5 Score
Salinas, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$753,868
Population
159,506
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
55
Pacific
View Salinas, CA →