Last updated 2026-07-10 ยท MovePlan Editorial Team
Close to the national average, a reasonable cost of living for Paterson.
Cost of living index (US avg = 100): 106
Median 2BR rent: $1,700/mo
Housing: 106 vs 100
Groceries: 107 vs 100
Utilities: 106 vs 100
Transportation: 107 vs 100
Healthcare: 102 vs 100
Paterson offers cold winters and warm, humid summers and a near-average-cost place to land in New Jersey. Housing is the line item that moves your budget most, anchored here to a real median 2BR rent of about $1,700/mo.