Arlington vs Paterson
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Arlington
Paterson
The Verdict
Paterson is 31.2% less expensive than Arlington overall. A household earning $75,000 in Arlington would need approximately $57,165 in Paterson to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $57,165 in Paterson.
Conversely, $75,000 in Paterson equals $98,400 in Arlington.
Living in Arlington vs Paterson
Housing Costs
Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher Paterson's 137, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $360,000. The $380,000 difference in home prices means roughly $24,696 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $1,450/mo in Paterson, a monthly difference of $900.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 106 in Paterson. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $504/month in Paterson. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Arlington and 111 in Paterson. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $444 in Paterson. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 117 in Arlington and 112 in Paterson. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $145,000 in Arlington and $56,000 in Paterson. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $44,800 respectively. Arlington residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,383/month to housing in Arlington vs $1,307/month in Paterson. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. In Paterson, median rent of $1,450/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 112 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases