Moving from Paterson, NJ to Dallas, TX
It is 1545 mi and 28h 5m from Paterson to Dallas β a cross-country move across 7 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.
1545 mi Β· 28h 5m by car Β· TX β AR β TN β VA β WV β PA β NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β AR β TN β VA β WV β PA β NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 30 |
| Major cities en route | Arlington, Irving, Frisco, Grand Prairie, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Paterson | Dallas | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 8.4% cheaper overall in Dallas than Paterson on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
8.4% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Paterson +5.0%, Dallas -3.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Paterson | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 38Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 1.7" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 38.3" |
Expect 14.9Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Light snow year: Dallas gets around 1.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LITTLE FALLS, NJ US, DALLAS LOVE FLD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Paterson | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 157,660 | 1,299,553 |
| Median household income | $53,766 | $67,760 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.5% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.17 | 2.46 |
Expect median household income to rise 8.4% β $53,766 β $67,760 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Dallas MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New Jersey and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Dallas average 97Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (14.9Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Dallas compare to Paterson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Dallas MSA vs $59,390 in the Paterson MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Dallas compared to Paterson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $309,421 in Dallas vs $528,882 in Paterson β a 41.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Dallas, TX from Paterson, NJ?
The driving distance is 1545 mi and the route typically takes 28h 5m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Dallas more expensive than Paterson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dallas is 8.4% lower than Paterson (103.09 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Paterson to Dallas?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1545 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Paterson vs Dallas?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,760 in Dallas vs $53,766 in Paterson β a 26.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Paterson.
City profiles: Paterson, NJ Β· Dallas, TX.