Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas
A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,430 in Paterson, NJ versus $1,430 in Phoenix, AZ. The two are close overall, within a few percent of each other.
Median household income is $53,766 in Paterson, NJ and $77,041 in Phoenix, AZ — about 30% higher in Phoenix, AZ. New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax; Arizona has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax.
Rent
Buying a Home
Income
People & Lifestyle
Crime (per 100k/yr)
FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.
Climate
Gas
Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs West Coast (PADD 5).
Public Transit
Adult base one-way fare — — vs Valley Metro (2026).
Utilities
Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.
Groceries
Average prices — Northeast vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.
State Taxes
Paterson vs Phoenix — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Paterson or Phoenix?
- They're close. Paterson, NJ runs about $1,430 a month and Phoenix, AZ about $1,430 (1BR rent + utilities) — within a few percent of each other.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Paterson than in Phoenix?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Paterson versus $50,000 in Phoenix.
- Which has lower taxes, Paterson or Phoenix?
- Paterson is taxed under New Jersey's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax); Phoenix under Arizona's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax).
Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).