Moving from Paterson, NJ to Fairfield, CA
Cross-country relocations like Paterson, NJ β Fairfield, CA cover 2849 mi and about 49h 55m of driving through 11 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.
2849 mi Β· 49h 55m by car Β· NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 90 |
| Major cities en route | New York, Newark, Jersey City, Yonkers, Elizabeth |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Paterson | Fairfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 108.479 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 154.993 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 142.042 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Fairfield 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 value in Fairfield is 3.6% above Paterson ($609,269 vs $528,882 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Paterson +5.0%, Fairfield -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Paterson | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 24.5" |
Climate warms by 8.6Β°F on the annual average β 53.1Β°F β 61.7Β°F.
Fairfield gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LITTLE FALLS, NJ US, FAIRFIELD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Paterson | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 157,660 | 119,985 |
| Median household income | $53,766 | $102,321 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.5% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 3.17 | 3.16 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 3.6% between Paterson and Fairfield (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fairfield MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,510 | $51,200 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 13,960 | $36,120 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 12,440 | $43,450 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 12,220 | $37,910 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 10,450 | $34,840 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New Jersey and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Paterson to Fairfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2849 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Fairfield, CA from Paterson, NJ?
The driving distance is 2849 mi and the route typically takes 49h 55m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Paterson vs Fairfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $102,321 in Fairfield vs $53,766 in Paterson β a 90.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Fairfield more expensive than Paterson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fairfield is 3.6% lower than Paterson (108.479 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Fairfield compare to Paterson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA vs $59,390 in the Paterson MSA, on total employment of 137,640 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Fairfield compared to Paterson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $609,269 in Fairfield vs $528,882 in Paterson β a 15.2% 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· Fairfield, CA.