Moving from Jersey City, NJ to Paterson, NJ
Moving from Jersey City, NJ to Paterson, NJ is a 20 mi drive, about 28 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.
20 mi Β· 28 min by car Β· NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | NJ 3, CR 509, US 1 |
| Major cities en route | New York, Elizabeth, Newark, Yonkers |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Jersey City | 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 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Jersey City (112.563) 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
Moderate housing drop: Paterson ZHVI at $528,882 is 0.0% below Jersey City at $658,269.
YoY change: Jersey City -0.7%, Paterson +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Jersey City | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 25Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 28.2" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 50.4" | β |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HARRISON, NJ US, LITTLE FALLS, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Jersey City | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 157,660 |
| Median household income | $94,813 | $53,766 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.4% | 9.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 3.17 |
Median household income in Paterson is 0.0% below Jersey City ($94,813 vs $53,766, ACS 5-year 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
When is the best time to move from Jersey City to Paterson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 20 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Paterson compared to Jersey City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $528,882 in Paterson vs $658,269 in Jersey City β a 19.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Jersey City vs Paterson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,766 in Paterson vs $94,813 in Jersey City β a 43.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Paterson, NJ from Jersey City, NJ?
The driving distance is 20 mi and the route typically takes 28 min via NJ 3 and CR 509. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Paterson compare to Jersey City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Paterson MSA vs $59,390 in the Jersey City 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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Jersey City.
City profiles: Jersey City, NJ Β· Paterson, NJ.