Moving from Kansas City, MO to Paterson, NJ
It is 1207 mi between Kansas City and Paterson β roughly 22h 42m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1207 mi Β· 22h 42m by car Β· MO β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | MO β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 80, US 40 |
| Major cities en route | Kansas City, Olathe, Overland Park, Independence, Lee S Summit |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Kansas City | Paterson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Paterson is 21.6% more expensive than Kansas City on the BEA RPP β expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $250,208 in Kansas City to $528,882 in Paterson, a 21.6% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Kansas City +0.8%, Paterson +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Kansas City | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 11.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 38.1" | β |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 56.9Β°F vs 53.1Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US, LITTLE FALLS, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kansas City | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 157,660 |
| Median household income | $67,449 | $53,766 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.8% | 9.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 3.17 |
Paterson households earn about 21.6% less than Kansas City at the median β $67,449 β $53,766 on 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 Missouri 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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How far is Paterson, NJ from Kansas City, MO?
The driving distance is 1207 mi and the route typically takes 22h 42m via I 70 and I 80. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Paterson compared to Kansas City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $528,882 in Paterson vs $250,208 in Kansas City β a 111.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Paterson more expensive than Kansas City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Paterson is 21.6% higher than Kansas City (112.563 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Kansas City vs Paterson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,766 in Paterson vs $67,449 in Kansas City β a 20.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Paterson compare to Kansas City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Paterson MSA vs $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Kansas 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 1207 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Kansas City.
City profiles: Kansas City, MO Β· Paterson, NJ.