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

Palmdale

California
130
VS

Paterson

New Jersey
106

Palmdale is 24% more expensive than Paterson.

$1,736/mo ↑ 19%
Median Rent
$1,457/mo ↓ 16%
$81,151/yr ↑ 51%
Median Income
$53,766/yr ↓ 34%
$435,300 ↑ 30%
Home Value
$335,400 ↓ 23%
$1,831/mo ↑ 18%
Owner Costs
$1,553/mo ↓ 15%
165,487
Population
157,660

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

25.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
32.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Palmdale, CA and Paterson, NJ, the overall cost of living indices are 130 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $279/month cheaper in Paterson, saving renters about $3,348/year.

Median household income is $27,385/year higher in Palmdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Palmdale is $435,300 compared to $335,400 in Paterson.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Palmdale vs Paterson — common questions

Is Palmdale or Paterson cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Paterson is cheaper to live in with an index of 106 compared to 130 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Palmdale and Paterson?
Median rent in Palmdale is $1,736/month and in Paterson it's $1,457/month — a difference of $279/month.
Which city has higher income, Palmdale or Paterson?
Median household income is $81,151 in Palmdale and $53,766 in Paterson. Median household income is $27,385/year higher in Palmdale.
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 Palmdale or Paterson?
It depends on your priorities. Palmdale has a cost index of 130 with median rent of $1,736/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 Palmdale details → View Paterson details →