Moving from Glendale, CA to Paterson, NJ
Cross-country relocations like Glendale, CA β Paterson, NJ cover 2779 mi and about 49h 30m 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.
2779 mi Β· 49h 30m by car Β· CA β NV β UT β CO β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β UT β CO β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Santa Clarita, Palmdale, Torrance, Pasadena |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Glendale | Paterson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Glendale (113.566) and Paterson (112.563) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Paterson: 0.9% below Glendale on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Glendale -0.6%, Paterson +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Glendale | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 16.5" | β |
Climate cools by 11.4Β°F on the annual average β 64.5Β°F β 53.1Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BURBANK VALLEY PUMP PLT, CA US, LITTLE FALLS, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Glendale | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 192,270 | 157,660 |
| Median household income | $84,262 | $53,766 |
| Median age | 41.4 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.7% | 9.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.63 | 3.17 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 0.9% between Glendale 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter 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.
- 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (11.4Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in New Jersey after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Glendale vs Paterson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,766 in Paterson vs $84,262 in Glendale β a 36.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Paterson compared to Glendale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $528,882 in Paterson vs $1,201,880 in Glendale β a 56.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Paterson compare to Glendale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Paterson MSA vs $50,490 in the Glendale MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Glendale to Paterson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2779 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Paterson more expensive than Glendale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Paterson is 0.9% lower than Glendale (112.563 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Paterson, NJ from Glendale, CA?
The driving distance is 2779 mi and the route typically takes 49h 30m via I 80 and I 70. 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 Glendale.
City profiles: Glendale, CA Β· Paterson, NJ.