F
15%
Overall NAT. AVG.
7%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
36%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Paterson New Jersey National
Cost of living115121100
Goods & Services107106100
Groceries102102100
Health care9699100
Housing136158100
Transportation108103100
Utilities111107100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Paterson, NJ

Knowing the cost of living in Paterson allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Paterson stands at 115, marking it 15% higher than the national average.

When it comes to the cost of living in Paterson, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 36% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.

Is Paterson Affordable?

Wondering if Paterson is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Paterson, for example, the median home price is 39.5% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 27.8% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Paterson boasting a median household income of $45,141, which is 18.4% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Paterson?

Subsidies: Certain cities or states may implement government subsidies or assistance programs with the goal of alleviating the cost of living pressures on their residents. These programs encompass a broad spectrum of support mechanisms, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farming subsidies. Areas offering fewer subsidies may experience a rise in their cost of living.

Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In Paterson, the transportation index is 8.3% higher than the national average.

Urbanization: Larger, urban centers, known for their wealth of amenities and strong employment prospects, often exhibit an elevated cost of living, primarily attributable to the heightened demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this scenario leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural areas or regions characterized by diminished demand typically provide a more limited array of amenities and experience slower job market growth, resulting in a more affordable cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The Paterson cost of living data you see above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, providing a practical and accurate means of comparing living expenses in urban areas. Updated quarterly, this index gathers data from over 300 independent researchers, covering more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. These selections are made meticulously to represent a wide range of consumer expenditure categories. The weightings applied to cost differences are based on government survey data that tracks spending patterns among professional and executive households. It's important to note that while the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes factors tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Paterson is 5% lower than the New Jersey average
  • The cost of living in Paterson is 15% higher than the national average
  • Paterson housing is 36% higher than the national average
  • New Jersey general sales tax is 30% higher than the national average
  • New Jersey state income tax is 38% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Paterson

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Compare Paterson, NJ Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$74,690$6,224$1,743$2,241
      Renters$37,014$3,085$864$1,111
      The affordability of the housing market in Paterson, NJ as well as the overall cost of living can be predicted by what percent of the monthly income is spent on housing related costs. This is konwn as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The overall rule of thumb is that no more than 28% of your gross income should be spent on the overall costs related to housing and no more than 36% of gross income on all expenses and debts. Among Paterson homeowners, the median income is $74,690. This indicates that a monthly maximum of $1,743 should be spent by homeowners on all housing related costs. Renters have a median income of $37,014. This indicates that renters would have a maximum of $864 for their rent related monthly costs.

      New Jersey Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      New Jersey 6.625% 12.625%

      New Jersey Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      New Jersey 1.4% 10.75%

      Goods & Services

      Item Paterson National avg. Difference
      Haircut $25.62$24.265.6%
      Beauty Salon $41.67$45.568.6%
      Toothpaste $3.72$3.700.4%
      Shampoo $1.48$1.2815.6%
      Movie $15.78$12.1330.1%
      Bowling $21.00$18.0016.7%

      Groceries

      Item Paterson National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.65$5.843.3%
      Fried Chicken $1.39$1.5711.4%
      Milk $4.71$4.670.7%
      Potatoes $5.37$4.938.8%
      Pizza $11.49$12.094.9%
      Beer $11.33$10.418.8%

      Health Care

      Item Paterson National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $157.11$125.6825.0%
      Doctor $115.59$135.7814.9%
      Dentist $124.27$113.299.7%
      Ibuprofen $11.15$10.654.6%
      Lipitor $451.73$468.603.6%

      Housing

      Item Paterson National avg. Difference
      Home Price $257,700.00$184,700.0039.5%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $3,568.94$2,346.6952.1%
      Apartment Rent $1,213.00$949.0027.8%

      Transportation

      Item Paterson National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.41$3.461.4%
      Tire Balancing $82.67$59.9238.0%

      Utilities

      Item Paterson National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $236.04$193.9921.7%
      Phone $186.61$192.252.9%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      East Orange, NJ64,65011111.1%
      Silver Lake CDP (Warren County), NJ32011313.2%
      Newark, NJ281,91711414.0%
      Haledon, NJ8,29811919.2%
      Prospect Park, NJ5,85312019.7%
      Paterson, NJ145,48411515.3%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Savannah, GA145,492973.0%
      Kelowna, BC145,612n/a 
      Saguenay, QC145,134n/a 
      Bridgeport, CT145,0141098.9%
      Bellevue, WA146,145204104.0%
      Paterson, NJ145,48411515.3%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.