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

Oakland

California
195
VS

Paterson

New Jersey
106

Oakland is 84% more expensive than Paterson.

$1,917/mo ↑ 32%
Median Rent
$1,457/mo ↓ 24%
$97,369/yr ↑ 81%
Median Income
$53,766/yr ↓ 45%
$924,700 ↑ 176%
Home Value
$335,400 ↓ 64%
$2,164/mo ↑ 39%
Owner Costs
$1,553/mo ↓ 28%
438,072
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

23.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
32.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Oakland, CA and Paterson, NJ, the overall cost of living indices are 195 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $460/month cheaper in Paterson, saving renters about $5,520/year.

Median household income is $43,603/year higher in Oakland. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Oakland is $924,700 compared to $335,400 in Paterson.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Oakland vs Paterson — common questions

Is Oakland or Paterson cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Paterson is cheaper to live in with an index of 106 compared to 195 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Oakland and Paterson?
Median rent in Oakland is $1,917/month and in Paterson it's $1,457/month — a difference of $460/month.
Which city has higher income, Oakland or Paterson?
Median household income is $97,369 in Oakland and $53,766 in Paterson. Median household income is $43,603/year higher in Oakland.
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 Oakland or Paterson?
It depends on your priorities. Oakland has a cost index of 195 with median rent of $1,917/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 Oakland details → View Paterson details →

More Comparisons

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