Moving from Fairfield, CA to Paterson, NJ
Cross-country relocations like Fairfield, CA β Paterson, NJ cover 2849 mi and about 49h 55m 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.
2849 mi Β· 49h 55m by car Β· NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 90 |
| Major cities en route | New York, Newark, Jersey City, Yonkers, Elizabeth |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fairfield | Paterson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.479 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.993 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 142.042 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Paterson and Fairfield 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 value in Paterson is 3.8% below Fairfield ($528,882 vs $609,269 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Fairfield -2.4%, Paterson +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fairfield | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 24.5" | β |
Climate cools by 8.6Β°F on the annual average β 61.7Β°F β 53.1Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FAIRFIELD, CA US, LITTLE FALLS, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fairfield | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,985 | 157,660 |
| Median household income | $102,321 | $53,766 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 9.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.16 | 3.17 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 3.8% between Fairfield and Paterson (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.
Moving between California 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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Fairfield to Paterson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2849 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 Fairfield, CA?
The driving distance is 2849 mi and the route typically takes 49h 55m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Paterson more expensive than Fairfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Paterson is 3.8% higher than Fairfield (112.563 vs 108.479, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Fairfield vs Paterson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,766 in Paterson vs $102,321 in Fairfield β a 47.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Paterson compare to Fairfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Paterson MSA vs $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 137,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Paterson compared to Fairfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $528,882 in Paterson vs $609,269 in Fairfield β a 13.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fairfield.
City profiles: Fairfield, CA Β· Paterson, NJ.