City Comparison
Edison vs Paterson
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Edison scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Edison
Paterson
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Paterson is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
13% lower than in Edison.
Housing costs are a major driver: Edison's average rent is
16% higher than Paterson's.
| Metric | Edison | Paterson | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,200 | $1,900 | +16% |
| Groceries | $480 | $400 | +20% |
| Utilities | $185 | $180 | +3% |
| Transport | $140 | $90 | +56% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,235 | $2,800 | +16% |
| Cost Index | 124 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Edison offers 26% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Edison delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Edison is estimated at
$65,000 vs $60,000 in Paterson.
| Metric | Edison | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $82,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $60,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,129 idx | 58,036 idx |
| Household Income | $105,000 | $60,703 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.6°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Paterson sees 4.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Edison | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.00°F | 54.40°F |
| Summer High | 85.00°F | 84.40°F |
| Winter Low | 24.90°F | 24.70°F |
| Rainfall | 41.30 in | 42.80 in |
| Snowfall | 16.50 in | 20.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 250 | 251 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Paterson has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Edison.
Paterson scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Paterson leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Edison | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 65.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 68.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 58.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Paterson is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Edison.
From a growth perspective, Edison is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Edison has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Edison | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,585 | 160,446 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.38% |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 33.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 7.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Edison
Advantages
Edison Public Schools rank consistently high in academic performance and college readiness within New Jersey.
Exceptional commuter access via two Northeast Corridor NJ Transit stations and major highways like I-287 and the NJ Turnpike.
Rich cultural diversity reflected in a vibrant array of authentic dining, grocery stores, and community festivals.
Abundant recreational green spaces, notably the sprawling Roosevelt Park with its lake and cultural arts center.
Strong local economy anchored by major corporate presence, healthcare, and professional services.
Drawbacks
High property taxes and cost of living compared to the national average.
Heavy rush-hour traffic congestion along major thoroughfares such as Route 1 and Interstate 287.
Fierce competition and high price points in the local housing and real estate market.
High degree of car dependency for daily errands outside of immediate transit and commercial zones.
Limited new single-family housing inventory driving up purchase prices.
Paterson
Advantages
Historic charm anchored by the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park and rich industrial heritage
Exceptional ethnic and cultural diversity with a vibrant array of authentic international cuisine and festivals
Strong commuter connectivity via NJ Transit buses and trains providing direct routes to New York City
More accessible housing entry points compared to neighboring upscale Bergen and Essex County municipalities
Active downtown commercial districts with deep-rooted small businesses and expanding urban revitalization projects
Drawbacks
Higher than average cost of living driven primarily by regional metropolitan housing pressures
Poverty rates remain elevated in specific pockets, posing ongoing economic and social challenges
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours along major thoroughfares like Interstate 80 and Route 19
Variable public school performance requiring families to navigate selective magnet or private educational options
Urban density can lead to parking shortages and limited green space in certain inner-city neighborhoods
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Edison
#410New Jersey, USA
58.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,200
Avg Salary
$82,000
Cost Index
124
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
250/yr
Avg Temp
55.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
81
Business
75
Paterson
#588New Jersey, USA
44.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,900
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
112
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
65.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
251/yr
Avg Temp
54.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.38%
Unemployment
7.60%
Livability
69
Business
65
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