Cost of Living: Irvine, CA vs Paterson, NJ (2026)

Irvine

California
256
VS

Paterson

New Jersey
106

Irvine is 142% more expensive than Paterson.

$2,893/mo ↑ 99%
Median Rent
$1,457/mo ↓ 50%
$129,647/yr ↑ 141%
Median Income
$53,766/yr ↓ 59%
$1,115,400 ↑ 233%
Home Value
$335,400 ↓ 70%
$2,904/mo ↑ 87%
Owner Costs
$1,553/mo ↓ 47%
308,160
Population
157,660

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
10.75%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.625%
0.71%
Property Tax
2.23%

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
32.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Irvine, CA and Paterson, NJ, the overall cost of living indices are 256 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,436/month cheaper in Paterson, saving renters about $17,232/year.

Median household income is $75,881/year higher in Irvine. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Irvine is $1,115,400 compared to $335,400 in Paterson.

New Jersey has a lower income tax rate, making Paterson slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Irvine vs Paterson — common questions

Is Irvine or Paterson cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Paterson is cheaper to live in with an index of 106 compared to 256 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Irvine and Paterson?
Median rent in Irvine is $2,893/month and in Paterson it's $1,457/month — a difference of $1,436/month.
Which city has higher income, Irvine or Paterson?
Median household income is $129,647 in Irvine and $53,766 in Paterson. Median household income is $75,881/year higher in Irvine.
How do taxes compare between California and New Jersey?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. New Jersey has 10.75% income tax, 6.625% sales tax, and 2.23% property tax.
Should I move to Irvine or Paterson?
It depends on your priorities. Irvine has a cost index of 256 with median rent of $2,893/mo, while Paterson has a cost index of 106 with rent of $1,457/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Irvine details → View Paterson details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Irvine and Paterson

Irvine vs. Cincinnati Irvine vs. St. Paul Irvine vs. Santa Ana Irvine vs. Newark Irvine vs. Orlando Irvine vs. Pittsburgh Paterson vs. Corona Paterson vs. Murfreesboro Paterson vs. Hayward Paterson vs. Alexandria Paterson vs. Salinas Paterson vs. Macon