Moving from Lubbock, TX to Paterson, NJ
Cross-country relocations like Lubbock, TX β Paterson, NJ cover 1813 mi and about 33h 13m of driving through 8 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.
1813 mi Β· 33h 13m by car Β· TX β OK β MO β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β MO β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, I 70, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Norman, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Springfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lubbock | Paterson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.317 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.768 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 76.357 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Overall price level in Paterson runs 23.3% higher than Lubbock β a substantial step-up on the BEA Regional Price Parity (91.317 β 112.563, 2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Paterson is 23.3% above Lubbock β $209,436 vs $528,882 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Lubbock +0.8%, Paterson +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lubbock | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 30Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 19.4" | β |
Climate cools by 8.7Β°F on the annual average β 61.8Β°F β 53.1Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LUBBOCK WFO, TX US, LITTLE FALLS, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lubbock | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 261,078 | 157,660 |
| Median household income | $60,487 | $53,766 |
| Median age | 30.4 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.8% | 9.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.48 | 3.17 |
Income steps down 23.3%: $60,487 in Lubbock vs $53,766 in Paterson.
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 Texas 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
When is the best time to move from Lubbock to Paterson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1813 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 Lubbock?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $528,882 in Paterson vs $209,436 in Lubbock β a 152.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Paterson, NJ from Lubbock, TX?
The driving distance is 1813 mi and the route typically takes 33h 13m via I 44 and I 70. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Lubbock vs Paterson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,766 in Paterson vs $60,487 in Lubbock β a 11.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Paterson compare to Lubbock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Paterson MSA vs $37,640 in the Lubbock MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 150,730 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Paterson more expensive than Lubbock?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Paterson is 23.3% higher than Lubbock (112.563 vs 91.317, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lubbock.
City profiles: Lubbock, TX Β· Paterson, NJ.