Everything You Should Know Before Moving to Paterson, NJ
Thinking of moving to Paterson, NJ? With a population of nearly 160,000, Paterson features affordable housing—median home prices around $357,000—and lower average rents than many North Jersey cities. Residents enjoy a diverse community, easy access to public transportation, and nearby colleges. While the city’s crime rate is higher than average, Paterson offers robust cultural opportunities and a youthful vibe. Expect a typical Northeast climate, commute times under 30 minutes, and plenty of local amenities to help you settle in.
Demographics - Paterson, NJ
Demographics - Paterson, NJ
Paterson, NJ is home to about 160,000 residents, making it one of the most densely populated cities in the state. The community is notably diverse, with substantial Hispanic, Black, and White populations, and nearly half of residents speaking a language other than English at home. With a median age of just over 33, the city has a youthful energy and a balanced gender ratio.
Population:
159,732
Density:
17,600 per sq mi
Median Age:
33.2
Gender Ratio:
97 males per 100 females
Non-English Speakers Percentage:
47.5%
Ethnic Composition
White:
23.6%
Black:
23.9%
Asian:
4.8%
Others:
47.7%
Cost Of Living
What is the average cost of living in Paterson, NJ?
Living in Paterson typically costs more than the national average, with a cost of living index of 119.1. The median home value is approximately $357,000, while average rents for a two-bedroom apartment are around $1,380 per month. Utilities and insurance are moderately priced, and New Jersey's state income tax ranges from 1.4% to 10.75%.
Median House Value:
$357,000
Gross Rent:
$1,380
Monthly Electricity Charges:
$135
Auto Insurance:
$1,920
House Owner Cost With Mortgage:
$2,050
House Owner Cost Without Mortgage:
$610
State Taxes:
Low:
1.4%
|
High:
10.75%
Cost Of Living Index:
119.1
Grocery:
114.0
Housing:
120.8
Utilities:
111.7
Transportation:
117.9
Health Care:
109.5
Miscellaneous:
107.0
Crime
Is Paterson, NJ a safe place to live?
Paterson experiences higher-than-average crime, with a violent crime rate of about 1,012 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 1,857 per 100,000. Residents face a roughly 1 in 99 chance of being affected by violent crime, so safety considerations may be important for newcomers. Still, many neighborhoods are working toward community-focused improvements.
Violent Crimes Per 100k:
1,012
Property Crimes Per 100k:
1,857
Crime Index:
2,869
Chance Of Violent Crime:
1 in 99
Chance Of Property Crime:
1 in 54
Weather
What is the weather like in Paterson, NJ year-round?
Paterson features a typical Northeast climate with cold winters, warm summers, and transitional spring and fall seasons. Average rainfall is about 48 inches annually, and residents enjoy sunshine about 53% of the year. Seasonal temperatures range from winter lows in the mid-20s°F to summer highs in the upper 80s°F.
Winter
Min:
25°F
Max:
39°F
Spring
Min:
44°F
Max:
67°F
Summer
Min:
65°F
Max:
86°F
Fall
Min:
49°F
Max:
70°F
Average Rainfall Inches:
48.1 inches
Sunny Days Percentage:
53%
Neighbors
The median household income in Paterson is around $50,000, with a relatively high poverty rate of 26.9%. Most residents have at least a high school diploma, and nearly 13% use public transit for their average 29-minute commute. The community is linguistically diverse and features a strong working-class presence.
Median Income:
$38,200
Household Income:
$49,960
Family Income:
$54,600
Per Capita Income:
$21,750
Income Male:
$36,400
Income Female:
$31,600
Poverty Rate:
26.9%
Non English Speakers:
47.5%
Rent:
$1,380
Unemployment Rate:
7.2%
Public Transport Usage:
12.8%
Commute Time:
28.6 minutes
Education
High School or Higher:
74.8%
Bachelors or More:
12.4%
Education
How are the schools in Paterson, NJ?
Paterson offers a selection of public and private schools, including specialized charter options and a student-teacher ratio around 14:1 in public schools. Higher education is easily accessible, with Passaic County Community College located in the city and William Paterson University just a few miles away. Families benefit from a range of educational resources for all ages.
Public Schools
Name:
Paterson Charter School for Science and Technology
Street:
196 W Railway Ave
Phone:
973-247-0600
Students:
1,420
Student Teacher Ratio:
15.1
Name:
International High School
Street:
200 Grand St
Phone:
973-321-2280
Students:
950
Student Teacher Ratio:
13.8
Private Schools
Name:
St. Gerard Majella School
Street:
10 Carrelton Dr
Phone:
973-595-5640
Students:
210
Colleges
Name:
Passaic County Community College
City:
Paterson
State:
NJ
Distance:
0 miles
Students:
6,500
Name:
William Paterson University
City:
Wayne
State:
NJ
Distance:
4 miles
Students:
9,600
Healthcare
Healthcare in Paterson is accessible, with major facilities like St. Joseph's University Medical Center offering emergency services within city limits. Residents benefit from roughly two physicians per 1,000 people and a health insurance coverage rate of 85%. Specialized and outpatient care is also available locally, supporting a broad range of medical needs.
Major Hospitals
Name:
St. Joseph's University Medical Center
Address:
703 Main St, Paterson, NJ 07503
Phone:
(973) 754-2000
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Name:
Barnert Medical Arts Complex
Address:
680 Broadway, Paterson, NJ 07514
Phone:
(973) 977-7600
Type:
Specialty & Outpatient
Emergency Services:
No
Physicians Per 1000:
2.0
Health Insurance Coverage:
85.1%
Health Care Index:
69.2
Housing Market
What is the housing market like in Paterson, NJ?
Paterson's housing market is relatively affordable for North Jersey, with a median home price near $357,000 and average two-bedroom rents at $1,380. Most residents are renters, with owner-occupied housing accounting for less than 30% of households. Home values have seen steady appreciation in recent years, while vacancy and foreclosure rates remain low.
Median Home Price:
$357,000
Average Rent For 2 Bedroom:
$1,380
Owner Occupied Rate:
27.8%
Rental Vacancy Rate:
7.1%
Home Appreciation Rate (1yr):
7.2%
New Construction Rate:
0.8%
Foreclosure Rate:
0.7%
DMV Information
Paterson residents handle vehicle registration and licensing through the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, headquartered in Trenton. The NJ MVC provides a comprehensive website and customer service line for scheduling appointments and accessing essential forms. Local branch services are available for most standard DMV needs.
State:
New Jersey
Department:
New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
Address:
225 E. State Street, Trenton, NJ 08666
Phone:
1-609-292-6500
Website:
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is based on publicly available sources including AccuWeather, U.S. Census Bureau, local government data, and third-party partners such as Neustar. While we strive to ensure accuracy, all data is provided “as is” and should be independently verified before making any decisions. Movers.com makes no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the information.