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

Moreno Valley

California
144
VS

Paterson

New Jersey
106

Moreno Valley is 36% more expensive than Paterson.

$2,036/mo ↑ 40%
Median Rent
$1,457/mo ↓ 28%
$87,477/yr ↑ 63%
Median Income
$53,766/yr ↓ 39%
$461,400 ↑ 38%
Home Value
$335,400 ↓ 27%
$1,980/mo ↑ 27%
Owner Costs
$1,553/mo ↓ 22%
210,378
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

27.9%
rent-to-income
Affordability
32.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Moreno Valley, CA and Paterson, NJ, the overall cost of living indices are 144 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $579/month cheaper in Paterson, saving renters about $6,948/year.

Median household income is $33,711/year higher in Moreno Valley. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Moreno Valley is $461,400 compared to $335,400 in Paterson.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Moreno Valley vs Paterson — common questions

Is Moreno Valley or Paterson cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Paterson is cheaper to live in with an index of 106 compared to 144 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Moreno Valley and Paterson?
Median rent in Moreno Valley is $2,036/month and in Paterson it's $1,457/month — a difference of $579/month.
Which city has higher income, Moreno Valley or Paterson?
Median household income is $87,477 in Moreno Valley and $53,766 in Paterson. Median household income is $33,711/year higher in Moreno Valley.
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 Moreno Valley or Paterson?
It depends on your priorities. Moreno Valley has a cost index of 144 with median rent of $2,036/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 Moreno Valley details → View Paterson details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Moreno Valley and Paterson

Moreno Valley vs. Fontana Moreno Valley vs. Frisco Moreno Valley vs. Des Moines Moreno Valley vs. Rochester Moreno Valley vs. Modesto Moreno Valley vs. Fayetteville Paterson vs. Corona Paterson vs. Murfreesboro Paterson vs. Hayward Paterson vs. Alexandria Paterson vs. Salinas Paterson vs. Macon