Moving from Aurora, CO to Paterson, NJ

Moving from Aurora, CO to Paterson, NJ is a 1766 mi cross-country relocation β€” about 31h 45m of driving through 8 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.

1766 mi Β· 31h 45m by car Β· CO β†’ NE β†’ IA β†’ IL β†’ IN β†’ OH β†’ PA β†’ NJ

COL +6.4% Home values +14.2% Ξ” +2.3Β°F annual

Distance & route

Driving
1766 mi
Drive time
31h 45m
States
8
Fuel (25 mpg)
71 gal
Route throughCO β†’ NE β†’ IA β†’ IL β†’ IN β†’ OH β†’ PA β†’ NJ
Primary highwaysI 80, I 90, I 76
Major cities en routeDenver, Lakewood, Centennial, Thornton, Arvada

Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.

Cost of living

AuroraPatersonU.S. avg
All items (RPP)105.782112.563100.0
Rents87.856127.018100.0
Goods100.957110.261100.0
Services146.919148.616100.0

Moderate COL step-up: 6.4% pricier overall in Paterson than Aurora on the 2024 BEA RPP.

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.

Housing prices

Aurora β€” typical home
$463,081
Paterson β€” typical home
$528,882
Aurora β€” typical rent
$1,701/mo
Paterson β€” typical rent
$2,054/mo

Zillow typical home value is 6.4% higher in Paterson than Aurora as of 2026-03.

YoY change: Aurora -4.3%, Paterson +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.

Climate

1991–2020 normalsAuroraPaterson
Annual avg temperature51Β°F53Β°F
January avg low17Β°F22Β°F
July avg high90Β°F87Β°F
Annual snowfallβ€”β€”
Annual precipitationβ€”β€”

Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β€” 50.8Β°F vs 53.1Β°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.

Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: CHERRY CREEK DAM, CO US, LITTLE FALLS, NJ US).

Demographics

ACS 5-year 2023AuroraPaterson
Population390,201157,660
Median household income$84,320$53,766
Median age35.133.3
Bachelor's degree or higher21.4%9.5%
Avg household size2.733.17

Median household income in Paterson is 6.4% below Aurora ($84,320 vs $53,766, ACS 5-year 2023).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.

Jobs & wages

Aurora MSA β€” median wage
$58,490
Paterson MSA β€” median wage
$59,390
Aurora MSA β€” employment
1,590,330
Paterson MSA β€” employment
9,495,240

Top occupations in Paterson MSA

OccupationEmploymentMedian wage
Office and Administrative Support Occupations 1,165,200 $50,760
Sales and Related Occupations 806,590 $46,160
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations 755,900 $44,800
Healthcare Support Occupations 755,280 $37,670
Business and Financial Operations Occupations 725,930 $100,940

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.

Moving between Colorado and New Jersey

Colorado income tax
4.4% top marginal
New Jersey income tax
10.75% top marginal

State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check New Jersey's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β€” state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.

Best time to move

Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.

To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.

Winter driving along this route

  • Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β€” check CDOT alerts before departure.
  • The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.

State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.

Frequently asked

When is the best time to move from Aurora to Paterson?

Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1766 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β€” see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.

How much do homes cost in Paterson compared to Aurora?

Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $528,882 in Paterson vs $463,081 in Aurora β€” a 14.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.

How does household income compare in Aurora vs Paterson?

Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,766 in Paterson vs $84,320 in Aurora β€” a 36.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.

How far is Paterson, NJ from Aurora, CO?

The driving distance is 1766 mi and the route typically takes 31h 45m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.

How does the job market in Paterson compare to Aurora?

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Paterson MSA vs $58,490 in the Aurora MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.

Is Paterson more expensive than Aurora?

Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Paterson is 6.4% higher than Aurora (112.563 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.

Plan the move

Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Aurora.

City profiles: Aurora, CO Β· Paterson, NJ.

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