Springfield vs Paterson: Cost of Living (2026)

A side-by-side comparison of Springfield, MA and Paterson, NJ, using US Census Bureau data.

MetricSpringfield, MAPaterson, NJ
Population155,305157,864
Median household income$47,677$52,092
Median home value$198,500$314,100
Median rent (/mo)$1,047$1,392

Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.

Comparing Springfield, MA and Paterson, NJ comes down to what you value most. Springfield has the lower median home value, and Springfield has the lower median rent.

Paterson has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.

Frequently asked questions

Is it cheaper to live in Springfield or Paterson?
By median home value, Springfield is the cheaper of the two ($198,500 vs $314,100). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
Which has higher salaries, Springfield or Paterson?
Median household income is $47,677 in Springfield versus $52,092 in Paterson, per the US Census Bureau.

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