Moving from Gresham, OR to Paterson, NJ
Cross-country relocations like Gresham, OR β Paterson, NJ cover 2872 mi and about 50h 28m 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.
2872 mi Β· 50h 28m by car Β· NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β ID β OR
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β ID β OR |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 84, I 80 EXPRESS |
| 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
| Gresham | Paterson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.421 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.974 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.222 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.114 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 6.8% pricier overall in Paterson than Gresham on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 6.8% higher in Paterson than Gresham as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Gresham -0.5%, Paterson +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Gresham | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.7" | β |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 54.7Β°F vs 53.1Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PORTLAND TROUTDALE AP, OR US, LITTLE FALLS, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Gresham | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,818 | 157,660 |
| Median household income | $73,608 | $53,766 |
| Median age | 37.2 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.2% | 9.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 3.17 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 6.8% between Gresham 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 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
- 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.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during 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 Gresham to Paterson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2872 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Paterson more expensive than Gresham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Paterson is 6.8% higher than Gresham (112.563 vs 105.421, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Paterson compared to Gresham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $528,882 in Paterson vs $471,181 in Gresham β a 12.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Gresham vs Paterson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,766 in Paterson vs $73,608 in Gresham β a 27.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Paterson compare to Gresham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Paterson MSA vs $55,940 in the Gresham MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 1,206,150 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Paterson, NJ from Gresham, OR?
The driving distance is 2872 mi and the route typically takes 50h 28m via I 80 and I 84. 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 Gresham.
City profiles: Gresham, OR Β· Paterson, NJ.