Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Norwalk, CT
VS
Paterson, NJ
🏆 Norwalk leads 14 of 23 categories
Norwalk
Connecticut
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
106.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$97,879 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
22 ✓ Safer
Population
91,050
Paterson
New Jersey
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$52,092
Violent Crime Index
258⚠ High
Population
157,864 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Norwalk, CT
Pros
Households earn $45,787 more per year on average
91% less violent crime than Paterson
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.6 pts lower (5.9%)
More college-educated — 42.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
Violent crime is well below the national average (85.0 vs 380/100k)
6% cheaper overall cost of living than Paterson
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $491,800
Higher rents — median is $1,861/mo
Paterson, NJ
Pros
Homes cost $178k less ($314,100 vs $491,800)
Rent averages $469/mo less ($1,392 vs $1,861)
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Cons
Median income trails Norwalk by $45,787/yr
Violent crime (978.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.5)
Higher unemployment (10.5% vs 5.9%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Norwalk
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 106.5 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Norwalk
Median Income
$45,787
$97,879 vs $52,092/yr
Norwalk
Violent Crime
91% lower
85.0 vs 978.6 per 100k
Norwalk
Unemployment
4.6 pp lower
5.9% vs 10.5% unemployment
Paterson
Median Home Value
$178k less
$314,100 vs $491,800
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Norwalk, CT | Paterson, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 106.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 112.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $491,800⚠ High | $314,100⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,861⚠ High | $1,392⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $97,879 ✓ Higher | $52,092 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 10.5%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 27.3 min | 23.4 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 11.4% ✓ Higher | 3.6% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 42 ✓ Safer | 199⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 22 ✓ Safer | 258⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 72 ✓ Safer | 112⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (113) ✓ Better | C+ (87) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 14.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.6% ✓ Higher | 12.6% |
| High School or Higher | 88.6% ✓ Higher | 76.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Norwalk School District | Paterson Public School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.0°F | 39.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.8°F | 86.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 51.4" | 49.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 34.0" | 28.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 91,050 | 157,864 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 40.0 ✓ Older | 33.1 |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% ✓ Higher | 26.3% |
| Under 18 | 19.4% | 27.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.8% ✓ More | 11.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Norwalk's cost of living index is 106.5 vs Paterson's 112.5 (US average = 100).
Norwalk is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Norwalk leads 14 of 23 categories. Norwalk wins 14 and Paterson wins 9. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Norwalk to Paterson or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($491,800 vs $314,100 median home), income ($97,879 vs $52,092), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Norwalk, CT and Paterson, NJ are about 41 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.