Moving from Moreno Valley, CA to Paterson, NJ
Cross-country relocations like Moreno Valley, CA β Paterson, NJ cover 2755 mi and about 48h 60m of driving through 12 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.
2755 mi Β· 48h 60m by car Β· CA β NV β AZ 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 AZ 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 | Riverside, Corona, Murrieta, Temecula, Menifee |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Moreno Valley | Paterson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 106.442 in Moreno Valley to 112.563 in Paterson, a 5.8% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Home prices line up β $551,284 vs $528,882 on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Moreno Valley -1.5%, Paterson +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Moreno Valley | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 10.7" | β |
Climate cools by 10.2Β°F on the annual average β 63.3Β°F β 53.1Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MARCH AFB, CA US, LITTLE FALLS, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Moreno Valley | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 210,378 | 157,660 |
| Median household income | $87,477 | $53,766 |
| Median age | 32.1 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.1% | 9.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.84 | 3.17 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 5.8% between Moreno Valley 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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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 (10.2Β°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
Is Paterson more expensive than Moreno Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Paterson is 5.8% higher than Moreno Valley (112.563 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Moreno Valley vs Paterson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,766 in Paterson vs $87,477 in Moreno Valley β a 38.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Paterson, NJ from Moreno Valley, CA?
The driving distance is 2755 mi and the route typically takes 48h 60m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 12 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Moreno Valley to Paterson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2755 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 Moreno Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $528,882 in Paterson vs $551,284 in Moreno Valley β a 4.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Paterson compare to Moreno Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Paterson MSA vs $47,450 in the Moreno Valley MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 1,661,860 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 Moreno Valley.
City profiles: Moreno Valley, CA Β· Paterson, NJ.