Paterson vs Nashville: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Paterson, New Jersey compare to Nashville, Tennessee? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Paterson is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 11% lower in Paterson compared to Nashville, while rent is 0% lower. TN has no state income tax.
| Metric | Paterson, NJ | Nashville, TN | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $314,100 | $351,400 | -10.6% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,392 | $1,392 | same |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $52,092 | $71,328 | -27.0% |
| Per Capita Income | $23,035 | $44,433 | -48.2% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 10.8% | None | same |
| Combined Sales Tax | 6.6% | 9.5% | -30.6% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 157,864 | 684,103 | -76.9% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Paterson
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Nashville
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Paterson costs $314,100 compared to $351,400 in Nashville — a 11% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,392/mo in Paterson vs $1,392/mo in Nashville.
- Income: Median household income is $52,092 in Paterson and $71,328 in Nashville.
- Taxes: Tennessee has no state income tax, while New Jersey has a 10.75% rate.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).