Is it cheaper to live in Paterson or Reno?

Reno, NV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,350 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Paterson, NJ's $1,430, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Paterson versus $48,000 in Reno.

Which has lower taxes, Paterson or Reno?

Paterson is taxed under New Jersey's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax); Reno under Nevada's (no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax).

Paterson vs Reno Cost of Living 2026

Paterson

New Jersey

$1,430/mo est.

Reno

Nevada

$1,350/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 $1,350 in Reno, NV. Overall, Reno, NV is roughly 6% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Paterson, NJ, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $53,766 in Paterson, NJ and $78,448 in Reno, NV — about 31% higher in Reno, NV. New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax; Nevada has no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax.

Paterson, NJ

Reno, NV

Rent

Studio

$786

$964

+23% in Reno, NV

1 Bedroom

$1,183

$1,206

+2% in Reno, NV

2 Bedroom

$1,468

$1,518

+3% in Reno, NV

3 Bedroom

$1,729

$1,885

+9% in Reno, NV

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$335,400

$498,600

+49% in Reno, NV

Income

Median Household Income

$53,766

$78,448

+46% in Reno, NV

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$61,430

$49,660

+19% in Paterson, NJ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.3 yr

37.3 yr

+4.0 yr in Reno, NV

Homeownership

26.2%

49.4%

+23.2 pp in Reno, NV

Bachelor's+ (25+)

12.5%

35.7%

+23.2 pp in Reno, NV

Avg Commute

23.1 min

20.6 min

+2.5 min in Paterson, NJ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,010.1

528.9

+48% in Paterson, NJ

Property Crime

2,391.4

2,489.3

+4% in Reno, NV

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

53.8°F

+1.6°F in Reno, NV

Annual Precipitation

49.0 in

7.4 in

+41.6 in in Paterson, NJ

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$5.21/gal

+32% in Reno, NV

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

24.9

13.1

+47% in Paterson, NJ

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$17.68

$13.83

+22% in Paterson, NJ

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Reno, NV

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$2.04

+6% in Reno, NV

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$7.36

+7% in Reno, NV

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 / NV)

6.625%

6.85%

+0.2 pp in NV

Income Tax (top rate)

10.75%

None

+10.8 pp in NJ

Paterson vs Reno — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Paterson or Reno?: Reno, NV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,350 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Paterson, NJ's $1,430, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Paterson than in Reno?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Paterson versus $48,000 in Reno.
Which has lower taxes, Paterson or Reno?: Paterson is taxed under New Jersey's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax); Reno under Nevada's (no state income tax and a 6.85% 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).