Paterson, NJ vs Washington, DC
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
Washington
66.2
#1580 nationally
Washington leads in median household income ($101,722 vs $52,092). Paterson leads in cost of living index (122 vs 181). Paterson leads in average commute (23.4 min vs 30.5 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Washington, DC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 63.6 (#1757) | 66.2 (#1580) |
| Population | 156,452 | 678,972 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $542,128 | $576,796 |
| Median Household Income | $52,092 | $101,722 |
| Average Commute | 23.4 min | 30.5 min |
| Walk Score | 76 | 98 |
| Crime Level | 26.8 | 25.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 122 | 181 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+2.9 | D+86.1 |
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
66.2 Score
Washington, DC
Major District of Columbia city with a diverse economy
Median Home
$576,796
Population
678,972
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
98
Northeast
View Washington, DC →
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