Moving from Eugene, OR to Paterson, NJ
Cross-country relocations like Eugene, OR β Paterson, NJ cover 2933 mi and about 52h 31m of driving through 11 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2933 mi Β· 52h 31m by car Β· OR β ID β UT β WY β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | OR β 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 | Nampa, Meridian, Boise City, Salt Lake City, Lincoln |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Eugene | Paterson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.568 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 102.531 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.261 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 98.35 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Paterson is 10.8% higher than Eugene, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Paterson is 10.8% above Eugene ($528,882 vs $473,231 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Eugene -0.3%, Paterson +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Eugene | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 35Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.8" | β |
Annual average temperatures in Eugene (53.1Β°F) and Paterson (53.1Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: EUGENE MAHLON SWEET AP, OR US, LITTLE FALLS, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Eugene | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 157,660 |
| Median household income | $63,836 | $53,766 |
| Median age | 35.4 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.7% | 9.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.33 | 3.17 |
Income steps down 10.8%: $63,836 in Eugene vs $53,766 in Paterson.
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 Oregon 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
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- 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
How does the job market in Paterson compare to Eugene?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Paterson MSA vs $46,620 in the Eugene MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 155,990 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Paterson compared to Eugene?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $528,882 in Paterson vs $473,231 in Eugene β a 11.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Eugene to Paterson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2933 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Paterson more expensive than Eugene?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Paterson is 10.8% higher than Eugene (112.563 vs 101.568, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Eugene vs Paterson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,766 in Paterson vs $63,836 in Eugene β a 15.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Paterson, NJ from Eugene, OR?
The driving distance is 2933 mi and the route typically takes 52h 31m via I 80 and US 189. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Eugene.
City profiles: Eugene, OR Β· Paterson, NJ.