Cost of Living: Paterson, NJ vs Wilmington, NC (2026)

Paterson

New Jersey
106
VS

Wilmington

North Carolina
100

Paterson is 6% more expensive than Wilmington.

$1,457/mo ↑ 11%
Median Rent
$1,311/mo ↓ 10%
$53,766/yr ↓ 16%
Median Income
$63,900/yr ↑ 19%
$335,400 ↓ 4%
Home Value
$350,300 ↑ 4%
$1,553/mo ↑ 13%
Owner Costs
$1,371/mo ↓ 12%
157,660
Population
118,578

Tax Comparison

10.75%
Income Tax
4.5%
6.625%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
2.23%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

32.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Paterson, NJ and Wilmington, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 106 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $146/month cheaper in Wilmington, saving renters about $1,752/year.

Median household income is $10,134/year higher in Wilmington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Paterson is $335,400 compared to $350,300 in Wilmington.

North Carolina has a lower income tax rate, making Wilmington slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Paterson vs Wilmington — common questions

Is Paterson or Wilmington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Wilmington is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 106 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Paterson and Wilmington?
Median rent in Paterson is $1,457/month and in Wilmington it's $1,311/month — a difference of $146/month.
Which city has higher income, Paterson or Wilmington?
Median household income is $53,766 in Paterson and $63,900 in Wilmington. Median household income is $10,134/year higher in Wilmington.
How do taxes compare between New Jersey and North Carolina?
New Jersey has 10.75% income tax, 6.625% sales tax, and 2.23% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Paterson or Wilmington?
It depends on your priorities. Paterson has a cost index of 106 with median rent of $1,457/mo, while Wilmington has a cost index of 100 with rent of $1,311/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Paterson details → View Wilmington details →

More Comparisons

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