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Data from U.S. Census Bureau · 2026 · Methodology
CitySpend

Paterson, NJ vs Elizabeth, NJ

Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)

Summary

Elizabeth spends 23.5% more per capita than Paterson ($4,957/person difference). Paterson, NJ has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 64/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Paterson, NJ
Pop. 157,864
C
64/100
Budget Balance44
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency84
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50
City B
Elizabeth, NJ
Pop. 135,665
C
61/100
Budget Balance10
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency55
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Paterson
Elizabeth
Total Spending
$2.5B
$2.9B
Spending / Capita
$16,110
$21,067
Total Revenue
$1.0B
$1.8B
Revenue / Capita
$6,517
$13,041
Total Debt
$0
$0
Debt / Capita
$0
$0
Population
157,864
135,665
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Paterson$142
Elizabeth$437
Highways & Roads
Paterson$168
Elizabeth$599
Parks & Recreation
Paterson$349
Elizabeth$980
Health
Paterson$138
Elizabeth$332

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

PatersonElizabeth
Property Tax
$17
$0
Sales Tax
$450
$528
Income Tax
$0
$24
Intergovernmental
$6,517
$1,021
Charges & Fees
$0
$2,319
Other
$1,614
$0

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

PatersonElizabeth
Fire Protection
$142
$437
Highways & Roads
$168
$599
Public Welfare
$294
$225
Health
$138
$332
Hospitals
$2,937
$3,386
Parks & Recreation
$349
$980
Housing
$2,861
$3,768
Sewerage
$1
$178
Utilities
$71
$928
Other
$9,148
$10,234
C
Paterson, NJ
Fiscal Health Score: 64/100
Average fiscal health
C
Elizabeth, NJ
Fiscal Health Score: 61/100
Average fiscal health

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