Is Los Angeles, CA cheaper than Paterson, NJ?

Based on cost of living data, Los Angeles, CA is 60.5% more expensive than Paterson, NJ. This translates to spending an extra $4535 per month.

What salary do I need in Los Angeles, CA to live like I do in Paterson, NJ?

If you earn $150,000 in Paterson, NJ, you'd need approximately $204,416.667 in Los Angeles, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Paterson, NJ and Los Angeles, CA?

Housing in Los Angeles, CA is 242.8% more expensive than in Paterson, NJ. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $2,660/month in Los Angeles, CA compared to $1,980/month in Paterson, NJ.

How much can I save per month by moving from Paterson, NJ to Los Angeles, CA?

Living in Los Angeles, CA costs approximately $4535 more per month than Paterson, NJ, or $54417 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Paterson, NJ vs Los Angeles, CA: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

Current salary in Paterson, NJ

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $4.5K/month more in Los Angeles, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $204.4K in Los Angeles, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA area

Overall Cost

↑ 60.5%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$4,535

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$54.4K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Paterson, NJ

Population:156K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$532K

Los Angeles, CA

Population:3899K

Cost Index:

160

(60% above avg)

Median Home:$885K

Paterson, NJ

The Garden State

156K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in New Jersey, this city has a population of 156K residents.

Los Angeles, CA

The Golden State

3.9M

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Mediterranean

Notable Facts

•Entertainment capital of the world
•Major Pacific Rim trade center
•Diverse metropolitan area

Major Industries

EntertainmentTechnologyInternational TradeTourism

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Paterson, NJ vs Los Angeles, CA

Category	Paterson, NJ	Los Angeles, CA	Difference	Change
Housing	$2,261/mo	$7,749/mo	↑ $5,489more	242.8%
Transportation	$1,598/mo	$2,158/mo	↑ $560more	35.0%
Other	$2,026/mo	$1,731/mo	↓ $295less	14.5%
Healthcare	$688/mo	$554/mo	↓ $134less	19.5%
Groceries	$1,099/mo	$1,040/mo	↓ $58.96less	5.4%
All Utilities	$596/mo	$557/mo	↓ $38.25less	6.4%

Housing

↑ 242.8%

Paterson, NJ

$2,261

Los Angeles, CA

$7,749

Difference

$5,489

Transportation

↑ 35.0%

Paterson, NJ

$1,598

Los Angeles, CA

$2,158

Difference

$560

Other

↓ 14.5%

Paterson, NJ

$2,026

Los Angeles, CA

$1,731

Difference

$295

less

Healthcare

↓ 19.5%

Paterson, NJ

$688

Los Angeles, CA

$554

Difference

$134

less

Groceries

↓ 5.4%

Paterson, NJ

$1,099

Los Angeles, CA

$1,040

Difference

$58.96

less

All Utilities

↓ 6.4%

Paterson, NJ

$596

Los Angeles, CA

$557

Difference

$38.25

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,510

To$1,910

↑ $400

1 Bed

From$1,720

To$2,135

↑ $415

2 Bed

From$1,980

To$2,660

↑ $680

3 Bed

From$2,420

To$3,370

↑ $950

Paterson, NJZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,410–$1,860/mo

Los Angeles, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,630–$3,130/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$8,267

Monthly in Paterson, NJ

$13,790

Monthly in Los Angeles, CA

$5,523

Difference

Home Values

Paterson

Los Angeles

$532K

Median Value

$885K

↑ +3.7%

YoY Change

↓ -3.4%

↑ +44.5%

5-Year Change

↑ +13.1%

$469K - $567K

Price Range

$531K - $3.01M

Homes in Los Angeles are 67% more expensive than Paterson

Calculate payment - Paterson Calculate payment - Los Angeles

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $3.2K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$266

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

2.1%

Rate difference

Paterson, NJ

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

New Jersey State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.6%

$44.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,796/month

$105.6K

Los Angeles, CA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

California State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,530/month

$102.4K

Additional Tax Information

Paterson, NJ Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.6%

Property Tax:2.5%

Los Angeles, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.