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

Paterson, NJ vs Trenton, NJ

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

Summary

Trenton spends 77.0% more per capita than Paterson ($53,841/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
Trenton, NJ
Pop. 90,055
C
50/100
Budget Balance9
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity72
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Paterson
Trenton
Total Spending
$2.5B
$6.3B
Spending / Capita
$16,110
$69,951
Total Revenue
$1.0B
$1.0B
Revenue / Capita
$6,517
$11,558
Total Debt
$0
$10.0M
Debt / Capita
$0
$111
Population
157,864
90,055
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Paterson$142
Trenton$333
Highways & Roads
Paterson$168
Trenton$0
Parks & Recreation
Paterson$349
Trenton$580
Education
Paterson$0
Trenton$47,653
Health
Paterson$138
Trenton$96

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

PatersonTrenton
Property Tax
$17
$22
Sales Tax
$450
$769
Intergovernmental
$6,517
$1,876
Charges & Fees
$0
$5,281
Other
$1,614
$432

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

PatersonTrenton
Fire Protection
$142
$333
Highways & Roads
$168
$0
Education
$0
$47,653
Public Welfare
$294
$362
Health
$138
$96
Hospitals
$2,937
$2,234
Parks & Recreation
$349
$580
Housing
$2,861
$3,325
Sewerage
$1
$176
Utilities
$71
$5,430
Other
$9,148
$9,760
C
Paterson, NJ
Fiscal Health Score: 64/100
Average fiscal health
C
Trenton, NJ
Fiscal Health Score: 50/100
Average fiscal health

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