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

San Francisco

California
267
VS

Paterson

New Jersey
106

San Francisco is 152% more expensive than Paterson.

$2,419/mo ↑ 66%
Median Rent
$1,457/mo ↓ 40%
$141,446/yr ↑ 163%
Median Income
$53,766/yr ↓ 62%
$1,380,500 ↑ 312%
Home Value
$335,400 ↓ 76%
$2,620/mo ↑ 69%
Owner Costs
$1,553/mo ↓ 41%
836,321
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

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
32.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Francisco, CA and Paterson, NJ, the overall cost of living indices are 267 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $962/month cheaper in Paterson, saving renters about $11,544/year.

Median household income is $87,680/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Francisco is $1,380,500 compared to $335,400 in Paterson.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Francisco vs Paterson — common questions

Is San Francisco or Paterson cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Paterson is cheaper to live in with an index of 106 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and Paterson?
Median rent in San Francisco is $2,419/month and in Paterson it's $1,457/month — a difference of $962/month.
Which city has higher income, San Francisco or Paterson?
Median household income is $141,446 in San Francisco and $53,766 in Paterson. Median household income is $87,680/year higher in San Francisco.
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 San Francisco or Paterson?
It depends on your priorities. San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with median rent of $2,419/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 San Francisco details → View Paterson details →

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