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

Paterson, NJ vs Jersey City, NJ

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

Summary

Jersey City spends 23.8% more per capita than Paterson ($5,026/person difference). Jersey City, NJ has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 70/100).

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
Jersey City, NJ
Pop. 287,899
B
70/100
Budget Balance31
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency83
Revenue Diversity99
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Paterson
Jersey City
Total Spending
$2.5B
$6.1B
Spending / Capita
$16,110
$21,136
Total Revenue
$1.0B
$4.5B
Revenue / Capita
$6,517
$15,583
Total Debt
$0
$0
Debt / Capita
$0
$0
Population
157,864
287,899
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Paterson$142
Jersey City$275
Highways & Roads
Paterson$168
Jersey City$173
Parks & Recreation
Paterson$349
Jersey City$248
Health
Paterson$138
Jersey City$634

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

PatersonJersey City
Property Tax
$17
$0
Sales Tax
$450
$420
Income Tax
$0
$603
Intergovernmental
$6,517
$4,168
Charges & Fees
$0
$2,474
Other
$1,614
$3,297

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

PatersonJersey City
Fire Protection
$142
$275
Highways & Roads
$168
$173
Public Welfare
$294
$953
Health
$138
$634
Hospitals
$2,937
$3,827
Parks & Recreation
$349
$248
Housing
$2,861
$4,412
Sewerage
$1
$155
Utilities
$71
$3,426
Other
$9,148
$7,033
C
Paterson, NJ
Fiscal Health Score: 64/100
Average fiscal health
B
Jersey City, NJ
Fiscal Health Score: 70/100
Good fiscal health

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