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

Long Beach

California
169
VS

Paterson

New Jersey
106

Long Beach is 59% more expensive than Paterson.

$1,803/mo ↑ 24%
Median Rent
$1,457/mo ↓ 19%
$83,969/yr ↑ 56%
Median Income
$53,766/yr ↓ 36%
$762,200 ↑ 127%
Home Value
$335,400 ↓ 56%
$1,890/mo ↑ 22%
Owner Costs
$1,553/mo ↓ 18%
458,491
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

25.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
32.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Long Beach, CA and Paterson, NJ, the overall cost of living indices are 169 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $346/month cheaper in Paterson, saving renters about $4,152/year.

Median household income is $30,203/year higher in Long Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Long Beach is $762,200 compared to $335,400 in Paterson.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Long Beach vs Paterson — common questions

Is Long Beach or Paterson cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Paterson is cheaper to live in with an index of 106 compared to 169 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Long Beach and Paterson?
Median rent in Long Beach is $1,803/month and in Paterson it's $1,457/month — a difference of $346/month.
Which city has higher income, Long Beach or Paterson?
Median household income is $83,969 in Long Beach and $53,766 in Paterson. Median household income is $30,203/year higher in Long Beach.
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 Long Beach or Paterson?
It depends on your priorities. Long Beach has a cost index of 169 with median rent of $1,803/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 Long Beach details → View Paterson details →

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