Moving from Elizabeth, NJ to Paterson, NJ
Moving from Elizabeth, NJ to Paterson, NJ is a 21 mi drive, about 32 min by car. This is a local relocation β same-day moves are typical β but cost-of-living, housing, and tax lines still shift enough to plan around. The sections below pull current figures from BEA, the Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA for a side-by-side look.
21 mi Β· 32 min by car Β· NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | NJ 21, US 1, US 9 |
| Major cities en route | Yonkers, New York, Jersey City, Newark |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elizabeth | Paterson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Paterson and Elizabeth is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values in Elizabeth and Paterson are within 5% of each other ($534,667 vs $528,882 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Elizabeth +3.3%, Paterson +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Elizabeth | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 31.5" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | β |
Annual average temperatures in Elizabeth (55.5Β°F) and Paterson (53.1Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US, LITTLE FALLS, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elizabeth | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 157,660 |
| Median household income | $63,874 | $53,766 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.8% | 9.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 3.17 |
Median household income in Paterson is 0.0% below Elizabeth ($63,874 β $53,766, ACS 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.
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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Paterson compare to Elizabeth?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Paterson MSA vs $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Paterson compared to Elizabeth?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $528,882 in Paterson vs $534,667 in Elizabeth β a 1.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Paterson, NJ from Elizabeth, NJ?
The driving distance is 21 mi and the route typically takes 32 min via NJ 21 and US 1. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Elizabeth vs Paterson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,766 in Paterson vs $63,874 in Elizabeth β a 15.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Elizabeth to Paterson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 21 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Elizabeth.
City profiles: Elizabeth, NJ Β· Paterson, NJ.