Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Paterson, NJ
VS
Renton, WA
🏆 Renton leads 14 of 23 categories
Paterson
New Jersey
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$52,092
Violent Crime Index
258⚠ High
Population
157,864 ✓ Larger
Renton
Washington
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$92,292 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
89 ✓ Safer
Population
105,355
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Paterson, NJ
Pros
Homes cost $263k less ($314,100 vs $576,800)
Rent averages $472/mo less ($1,392 vs $1,864)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Smaller class sizes — 14.0:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Renton by $40,200/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 4.2%)
Renton, WA
Pros
Households earn $40,200 more per year on average
65% less violent crime than Paterson
Stronger job market — unemployment is 6.3 pts lower (4.2%)
More college-educated — 36.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 77°F vs 87°F
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 39°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $576,800
Higher rents — median is $1,864/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 113.0)
Property crime (3313.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Paterson
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 112.5 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Paterson
Median Home Value
$263k less
$314,100 vs $576,800
Paterson
Summer Heat
9.3°F warmer
July avg high 86.5°F vs 77.2°F
Renton
Median Income
$40,200
$92,292 vs $52,092/yr
Renton
Violent Crime
65% lower
339.2 vs 978.6 per 100k
Renton
Unemployment
6.3 pp lower
4.2% vs 10.5% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Renton, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 112.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 113.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $314,100⚠ High ✓ Lower | $576,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,392⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,864⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $52,092 | $92,292 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.5%⚠ High | 4.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.4 min ✓ Shorter | 30.8 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 3.6% | 16.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 199⚠ High | 117⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 258⚠ High | 89 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 112⚠ High ✓ Safer | 158⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (87) | B- (93) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.0:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 12.6% | 36.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 76.6% | 89.9% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Paterson Public School District | Renton School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 39.3°F | 48.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 86.5°F ✓ Warmer | 77.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 49.4" | 44.0" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 28.2" | 6.3" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 157,864 ✓ Larger | 105,355 |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 36.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 26.3% | 53.6% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 27.5% ✓ More | 20.6% |
| Over 65 | 11.5% | 12.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Paterson's cost of living index is 112.5 vs Renton's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Paterson is 0% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Renton leads 14 of 23 categories. Paterson wins 9 and Renton wins 14. 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 Paterson to Renton or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($314,100 vs $576,800 median home), income ($52,092 vs $92,292), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Paterson, NJ and Renton, WA are about 2,383 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.