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

Paterson, NJ vs Newark, NJ

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

Summary

Newark spends 19.5% more per capita than Paterson ($3,904/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
Newark, NJ
Pop. 307,355
C
54/100
Budget Balance1
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency88
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Paterson
Newark
Total Spending
$2.5B
$6.2B
Spending / Capita
$16,110
$20,014
Total Revenue
$1.0B
$1.5B
Revenue / Capita
$6,517
$4,833
Total Debt
$0
$72.6M
Debt / Capita
$0
$236
Population
157,864
307,355
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Paterson$142
Newark$414
Highways & Roads
Paterson$168
Newark$578
Parks & Recreation
Paterson$349
Newark$350
Health
Paterson$138
Newark$340

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

PatersonNewark
Property Tax
$17
$34
Sales Tax
$450
$8
Intergovernmental
$6,517
$2,457
Charges & Fees
$0
$1,848
Other
$1,614
$2,165

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

PatersonNewark
Fire Protection
$142
$414
Highways & Roads
$168
$578
Public Welfare
$294
$609
Health
$138
$340
Hospitals
$2,937
$5,702
Parks & Recreation
$349
$350
Housing
$2,861
$5,110
Sewerage
$1
$113
Utilities
$71
$2,504
Other
$9,148
$4,295
C
Paterson, NJ
Fiscal Health Score: 64/100
Average fiscal health
C
Newark, NJ
Fiscal Health Score: 54/100
Average fiscal health

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