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

Ontario

California
152
VS

Paterson

New Jersey
106

Ontario is 43% more expensive than Paterson.

$1,916/mo ↑ 32%
Median Rent
$1,457/mo ↓ 24%
$82,806/yr ↑ 54%
Median Income
$53,766/yr ↓ 35%
$568,000 ↑ 69%
Home Value
$335,400 ↓ 41%
$1,967/mo ↑ 27%
Owner Costs
$1,553/mo ↓ 21%
178,347
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

27.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
32.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Ontario, CA and Paterson, NJ, the overall cost of living indices are 152 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $459/month cheaper in Paterson, saving renters about $5,508/year.

Median household income is $29,040/year higher in Ontario. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Ontario is $568,000 compared to $335,400 in Paterson.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Ontario vs Paterson — common questions

Is Ontario or Paterson cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Paterson is cheaper to live in with an index of 106 compared to 152 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Ontario and Paterson?
Median rent in Ontario is $1,916/month and in Paterson it's $1,457/month — a difference of $459/month.
Which city has higher income, Ontario or Paterson?
Median household income is $82,806 in Ontario and $53,766 in Paterson. Median household income is $29,040/year higher in Ontario.
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 Ontario or Paterson?
It depends on your priorities. Ontario has a cost index of 152 with median rent of $1,916/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 Ontario details → View Paterson details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Ontario and Paterson

Ontario vs. Aurora Ontario vs. Eugene Ontario vs. Chattanooga Ontario vs. Elk Grove Ontario vs. Fort Lauderdale Ontario vs. Santa Rosa Paterson vs. Corona Paterson vs. Murfreesboro Paterson vs. Hayward Paterson vs. Alexandria Paterson vs. Salinas Paterson vs. Macon