Moving from Paterson, NJ to Centennial, CO
It is 1780 mi and 32h 5m from Paterson to Centennial β a cross-country move across 8 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1780 mi Β· 32h 5m by car Β· NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 76 |
| Major cities en route | New York, Jersey City, Yonkers, Newark, Elizabeth |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Paterson | Centennial | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 6.0% moving from Paterson to Centennial β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $528,882 in Paterson to $649,086 in Centennial, a 6.0% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Paterson +5.0%, Centennial -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Paterson | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | β | 15.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 53.1Β°F vs 50.2Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LITTLE FALLS, NJ US, DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Paterson | Centennial |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 157,660 | 107,386 |
| Median household income | $53,766 | $128,167 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.5% | 37% |
| Avg household size | 3.17 | 2.59 |
Expect median household income to rise 6.0% β $53,766 β $128,167 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Centennial MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 173,910 | $49,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 172,890 | $48,280 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 164,250 | $84,370 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 140,150 | $36,010 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 129,510 | $45,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New Jersey and Colorado
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Colorado'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.
- 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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Centennial compare to Paterson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Centennial MSA vs $59,390 in the Paterson MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Paterson vs Centennial?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $128,167 in Centennial vs $53,766 in Paterson β a 138.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Paterson to Centennial?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1780 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Centennial, CO from Paterson, NJ?
The driving distance is 1780 mi and the route typically takes 32h 5m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Centennial more expensive than Paterson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Centennial is 6.0% lower than Paterson (105.782 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Centennial compared to Paterson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $649,086 in Centennial vs $528,882 in Paterson β a 22.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Paterson.
City profiles: Paterson, NJ Β· Centennial, CO.