City Comparison
Passaic vs Union City
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Union City scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Passaic
Union City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Passaic is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
13% lower than in Union City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Passaic's average rent is
18% lower than Union City's.
| Metric | Passaic | Union City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,125 | $2,600 | -18% |
| Groceries | $420 | $420 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,065 | $3,540 | -13% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 122 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Union City offers 15% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Union City delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Passaic is estimated at
$62,000 vs $62,000 in Union City.
| Metric | Passaic | Union City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $62,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,704 idx | 55,738 idx |
| Household Income | $55,371 | $64,310 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.3°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Passaic sees 1.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Passaic | Union City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.40°F | 54.70°F |
| Summer High | 84.40°F | 85.00°F |
| Winter Low | 24.70°F | 24.70°F |
| Rainfall | 42.80 in | 42.30 in |
| Snowfall | 20.90 in | 19.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 251 | 248 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Union City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Union City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Passaic | Union City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 33 min |
| Transit Score | 68.0/100 | 82.0/100 |
| Walkability | 82.0/100 | 89.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 58.00 | 58.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Low |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Passaic is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Union City.
From a growth perspective, Passaic is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Union City has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Passaic | Union City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,337 | 66,221 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.35% | — |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 37.4 |
| Unemployment | 5.70% | 4.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Passaic
Advantages
Average rent of $2,125 offers a more accessible entry point into the New York metro area compared to nearby towns
Exceptional transit connectivity via NJ Transit rail and bus lines offering direct routes to New York City
Rich cultural diversity reflected in a vibrant culinary scene, local festivals, and active commercial districts
High urban walkability with dense neighborhood amenities and local parks situated along the Passaic River
Strategic geographic location within Passaic County providing rapid access to major highways like Route 21 and the Garden State Parkway
Drawbacks
Median household income of $55,371 lags behind the broader New Jersey state and county averages
High population density creates persistent challenges regarding street parking, traffic congestion, and limited open space
Local poverty rate of approximately 22.9% presents ongoing socio-economic hurdles for municipal services
Aged housing stock often requires significant maintenance and modernization investments for property owners
Proximity to major industrial corridors contributes to local environmental and air quality management challenges
Union City
Advantages
Median home property value remains more affordable than neighboring Hoboken and downtown Jersey City per 2024 Census data
Exceptional public transit connectivity featuring direct express buses to Manhattan's Port Authority in under 30 minutes
Highly walkable urban environment with dense commercial corridors like Bergenline Avenue meeting daily needs on foot
Rich cultural vibrancy and culinary diversity anchored by a prominent Hispanic heritage and community events
Proximity to major regional employment centers in New York City and Hudson County without waterfront luxury price tags
Drawbacks
High population density creates severe street parking shortages and competitive parking rules
Rental prices have risen steadily, putting cost pressure on lower-income households in the local market
Limited availability of single-family homes and private green spaces within city limits
A poverty rate exceeding 21% highlights persistent economic challenges among segments of the population
Aged housing stock in older multi-family buildings often requires frequent maintenance and capital repairs
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Passaic
#560New Jersey, USA
47.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,125
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
68.0/100
Walkability
82.0/100
Sunny Days
251/yr
Avg Temp
54.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.35%
Unemployment
5.70%
Livability
71
Business
67
Union City
#550New Jersey, USA
48.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,600
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
122
Commute
33 min
Transit Score
82.0/100
Walkability
89.0/100
Sunny Days
248/yr
Avg Temp
54.70°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.60%
Livability
75
Business
67
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