Moving from Paterson, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ
Moving from Paterson, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ is a 21 mi drive, about 32 min by car. This is a local relocation β same-day moves are typical β but cost-of-living, housing, and tax lines still shift enough to plan around. The sections below pull current figures from BEA, the Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA for a side-by-side look.
21 mi Β· 32 min by car Β· NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | NJ 21, US 1, US 9 |
| Major cities en route | Yonkers, New York, Jersey City, Newark |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Paterson | Elizabeth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Elizabeth and Paterson is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values in Paterson and Elizabeth are within 5% of each other ($528,882 vs $534,667 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Paterson +5.0%, Elizabeth +3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Paterson | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 31.5" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 46.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Paterson (53.1Β°F) and Elizabeth (55.5Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Elizabeth averages 31.5 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LITTLE FALLS, NJ US, NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Paterson | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 157,660 | 135,887 |
| Median household income | $53,766 | $63,874 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.5% | 9.8% |
| Avg household size | 3.17 | 2.96 |
Median household income in Elizabeth is 0.0% above Paterson ($53,766 β $63,874, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Elizabeth 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.
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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Elizabeth averages 31.5 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Elizabeth compare to Paterson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA vs $59,390 in the Paterson MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 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 Elizabeth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,874 in Elizabeth vs $53,766 in Paterson β a 18.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Elizabeth, NJ from Paterson, NJ?
The driving distance is 21 mi and the route typically takes 32 min via NJ 21 and US 1. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Paterson to Elizabeth?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 21 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 Elizabeth compared to Paterson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,667 in Elizabeth vs $528,882 in Paterson β a 1.1% 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· Elizabeth, NJ.