Paterson vs Alexandria: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Paterson, NJ and Alexandria, VA, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Alexandria, VA |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 157,864 | 157,594 |
| Median household income | $52,092 | $113,179 |
| Median home value | $314,100 | $655,700 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,392 | $1,983 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Paterson, NJ and Alexandria, VA comes down to what you value most. Paterson has the lower median home value, and Paterson has the lower median rent.
Alexandria 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 Paterson or Alexandria?
- By median home value, Paterson is the cheaper of the two ($314,100 vs $655,700). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Paterson or Alexandria?
- Median household income is $52,092 in Paterson versus $113,179 in Alexandria, per the US Census Bureau.