Is it cheaper to live in Paterson or Spokane?

Spokane, WA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 25% below Paterson, NJ's $1,430, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Paterson versus $36,000 in Spokane.

Which has lower taxes, Paterson or Spokane?

Paterson is taxed under New Jersey's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Paterson vs Spokane Cost of Living 2026

Paterson

New Jersey

$1,430/mo est.

Spokane

Washington

$1,070/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 $1,070 in Spokane, WA. Overall, Spokane, WA is roughly 25% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Paterson, NJ, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,766 in Paterson, NJ and $65,745 in Spokane, WA — about 18% higher in Spokane, WA. New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Paterson, NJ

Spokane, WA

Rent

Studio

$786

$884

+12% in Spokane, WA

1 Bedroom

$1,183

$903

+24% in Paterson, NJ

2 Bedroom

$1,468

$1,192

+19% in Paterson, NJ

3 Bedroom

$1,729

$1,442

+17% in Paterson, NJ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$335,400

$326,200

+3% in Paterson, NJ

Income

Median Household Income

$53,766

$65,745

+22% in Spokane, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$61,430

$54,660

+11% in Paterson, NJ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.3 yr

37.2 yr

+3.9 yr in Spokane, WA

Homeownership

26.2%

58.3%

+32.1 pp in Spokane, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

12.5%

32.6%

+20.1 pp in Spokane, WA

Avg Commute

23.1 min

21.2 min

+1.9 min in Paterson, NJ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,010.1

683.6

+32% in Paterson, NJ

Property Crime

2,391.4

4,931.8

+106% in Spokane, WA

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

48.9°F

+3.3°F in Paterson, NJ

Annual Precipitation

49.0 in

17.8 in

+31.3 in in Paterson, NJ

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$5.26/gal

+34% in Spokane, WA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

24.9

14.9

+40% in Paterson, NJ

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$17.68

$21.34

+21% in Spokane, WA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Spokane, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$2.04

+6% in Spokane, WA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$7.36

+7% in Spokane, WA

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 / WA)

6.625%

6.5%

+0.1 pp in NJ

Income Tax (top rate)

10.75%

None

+10.8 pp in NJ

Paterson vs Spokane — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Paterson or Spokane?: Spokane, WA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 25% below Paterson, NJ's $1,430, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Paterson than in Spokane?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Paterson versus $36,000 in Spokane.
Which has lower taxes, Paterson or Spokane?: Paterson is taxed under New Jersey's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).