Is it cheaper to live in Paterson or Provo?

Provo, UT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% below Paterson, NJ's $1,430, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Paterson than in Provo?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Paterson versus $39,000 in Provo.

Which has lower taxes, Paterson or Provo?

Paterson is taxed under New Jersey's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax); Provo under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax).

Paterson vs Provo Cost of Living 2026

Paterson

New Jersey

$1,430/mo est.

Provo

Utah

$1,120/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,430 in Paterson, NJ versus $1,120 in Provo, UT. Overall, Provo, UT is roughly 22% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Paterson, NJ, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,766 in Paterson, NJ and $62,800 in Provo, UT — about 14% higher in Provo, UT. New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax; Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.

Paterson, NJ

Provo, UT

Rent

Studio

$786

$1,009

+28% in Provo, UT

1 Bedroom

$1,183

$978

+17% in Paterson, NJ

2 Bedroom

$1,468

$1,128

+23% in Paterson, NJ

3 Bedroom

$1,729

$1,381

+20% in Paterson, NJ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$335,400

$437,100

+30% in Provo, UT

Income

Median Household Income

$53,766

$62,800

+17% in Provo, UT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$61,430

$48,010

+22% in Paterson, NJ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.3 yr

23.7 yr

+9.6 yr in Paterson, NJ

Homeownership

26.2%

39.9%

+13.7 pp in Provo, UT

Bachelor's+ (25+)

12.5%

45.0%

+32.5 pp in Provo, UT

Avg Commute

23.1 min

18.5 min

+4.6 min in Paterson, NJ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,010.1

205.7

+80% in Paterson, NJ

Property Crime

2,391.4

1,280.6

+46% in Paterson, NJ

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

52.2°F

53.4°F

+1.2°F in Provo, UT

Annual Precipitation

49.0 in

19.8 in

+29.3 in in Paterson, NJ

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.27/gal

+8% in Provo, UT

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

24.9

13.4

+46% in Paterson, NJ

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$17.68

$11.84

+33% in Paterson, NJ

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Provo, UT

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$2.04

+6% in Provo, UT

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$7.36

+7% in Provo, UT

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.01

+8% in Paterson, NJ

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.70

about equal

Average prices — Northeast vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NJ / UT)

6.625%

6.1%

+0.5 pp in NJ

Income Tax (top rate)

10.75%

4.50%

+6.3 pp in NJ

Paterson vs Provo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Paterson or Provo?: Provo, UT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% below Paterson, NJ's $1,430, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Paterson than in Provo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Paterson versus $39,000 in Provo.
Which has lower taxes, Paterson or Provo?: Paterson is taxed under New Jersey's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax); Provo under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% 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).