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

Raleigh

North Carolina
110
VS

Paterson

New Jersey
106

Raleigh is 4% more expensive than Paterson.

$1,468/mo ≈ Same
Median Rent
$1,457/mo ≈ Same
$82,424/yr ↑ 53%
Median Income
$53,766/yr ↓ 35%
$377,800 ↑ 13%
Home Value
$335,400 ↓ 11%
$1,487/mo ↓ 4%
Owner Costs
$1,553/mo ↑ 4%
470,763
Population
157,660

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

21.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
32.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Raleigh, NC and Paterson, NJ, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is comparable in both cities, with less than $50/month separating them.

Median household income is $28,658/year higher in Raleigh. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Raleigh is $377,800 compared to $335,400 in Paterson.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Raleigh vs Paterson — common questions

Is Raleigh or Paterson cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Paterson is cheaper to live in with an index of 106 compared to 110 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Raleigh and Paterson?
Median rent in Raleigh is $1,468/month and in Paterson it's $1,457/month — a difference of $11/month.
Which city has higher income, Raleigh or Paterson?
Median household income is $82,424 in Raleigh and $53,766 in Paterson. Median household income is $28,658/year higher in Raleigh.
How do taxes compare between North Carolina and New Jersey?
North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. New Jersey has 10.75% income tax, 6.625% sales tax, and 2.23% property tax.
Should I move to Raleigh or Paterson?
It depends on your priorities. Raleigh has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,468/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 Raleigh details → View Paterson details →

More Comparisons

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