Signals
Paterson
Perth Amboy
Opportunity
40 · Bottom 15%
vs41 · Bottom 18%
Climate
65 · Bottom 36%
vs71 · Top 49%
Physical resilience
36 · Bottom 31%
vs46 · Bottom 37%
Housing affordability
36 · Bottom 4%
vs40 · Bottom 6%
Access
95 · Top 45%
vs97 · Top 30%
Economic stability
48 · Bottom 25%
vs56 · Bottom 39%
Measured values
| Metric | Paterson | Perth Amboy | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 158,735 | 55,855 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $55,997 | $61,977 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $24,403 | $27,021 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 18,868/sq mi | 11,981/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $360,100 | $370,600 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,548 | $1,688 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 26.9% | 35.4% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 6.9% | 6.2% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | 1.6% | 0.6% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.8% | 15.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 21.2% | 20.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Average July high | 85°F | 87°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 23°F | 26°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 44.9" | 46.6" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 15 mi | 13 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 24.5 min | 26.0 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 33.3 | 37.9 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Paterson
Elevated or high exposure: inland flooding, earthquake.
Perth Amboy
Elevated or high exposure: strong wind, earthquake.
Your best match
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Paterson
51
Your Score
48
Area Score
Perth Amboy
58
Your Score
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Area Score
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Full profiles: Paterson, NJ · Perth Amboy, NJ · How this is calculated: methodology