Moving from Boise City, ID to Paterson, NJ
It is 2458 mi and 42h 57m from Boise City to Paterson β a cross-country move across 10 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2458 mi Β· 42h 57m by car Β· ID β UT β WY β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | ID β UT β WY β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, US 189, I 84 |
| Major cities en route | Meridian, Nampa, Salt Lake City, Lincoln, Omaha |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Boise City | Paterson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.391 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 70.695 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.179 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 105.58 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 14.4% above Boise City β 98.391 β 112.563 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Boise City β, Paterson +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Boise City | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 17.6" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.5" | β |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BOISE AIR TERMINAL, ID US, LITTLE FALLS, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Boise City | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 157,660 |
| Median household income | $81,308 | $53,766 |
| Median age | 38.2 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.2% | 9.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.37 | 3.17 |
Expect median household income to fall 14.4% β $81,308 β $53,766 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Paterson MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median 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 Idaho and New Jersey
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 20β30% 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
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 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 Boise City to Paterson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2458 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Paterson, NJ from Boise City, ID?
The driving distance is 2458 mi and the route typically takes 42h 57m via I 80 and US 189. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Boise City vs Paterson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,766 in Paterson vs $81,308 in Boise City β a 33.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Paterson more expensive than Boise City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Paterson is 14.4% higher than Boise City (112.563 vs 98.391, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Paterson compare to Boise City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Paterson MSA vs $45,320 in the Boise City MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 372,470 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Boise City.
City profiles: Boise City, ID Β· Paterson, NJ.