Moving from Paterson, NJ to Salt Lake City, UT
It is 2165 mi and 38h 19m from Paterson to Salt Lake City β a cross-country move across 9 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.
2165 mi Β· 38h 19m by car Β· UT β WY β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | UT β WY β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 280 |
| Major cities en route | West Valley City, West Jordan, Lincoln, Omaha, Des Moines |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Paterson | Salt Lake City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 100.868 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 79 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 96.446 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 123.311 | 100.0 |
Expect about 10.4% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Salt Lake City at 100.868 vs Paterson at 112.563.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 10.4% higher home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Paterson +5.0%, Salt Lake City +1.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Paterson | Salt Lake City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 28Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 49.0" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 17.7" |
Annual average temperatures in Paterson (53.1Β°F) and Salt Lake City (55.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Salt Lake City averages 49.0 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, SALT LAKE TRIAD CTR, UT US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Paterson | Salt Lake City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 157,660 | 203,888 |
| Median household income | $53,766 | $74,925 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 33 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.5% | 28.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.17 | 2.29 |
Expect median household income to rise 10.4% β $53,766 β $74,925 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Salt Lake City MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 126,170 | $43,640 |
| Management Occupations | 69,550 | $106,250 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 66,590 | $43,680 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 64,620 | $69,990 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 62,830 | $40,320 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New Jersey and Utah
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Utah'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-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 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 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
- Winter gear first: Salt Lake City averages 49.0 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Salt Lake City average 91Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 Utah after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Paterson vs Salt Lake City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $74,925 in Salt Lake City vs $53,766 in Paterson β a 39.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Salt Lake City compared to Paterson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $573,181 in Salt Lake City vs $528,882 in Paterson β a 8.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Salt Lake City more expensive than Paterson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Salt Lake City is 10.4% lower than Paterson (100.868 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 Salt Lake City?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2165 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Salt Lake City, UT from Paterson, NJ?
The driving distance is 2165 mi and the route typically takes 38h 19m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Salt Lake City compare to Paterson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,440 in the Salt Lake City MSA vs $59,390 in the Paterson MSA, on total employment of 803,800 and 9,495,240 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 Paterson.
City profiles: Paterson, NJ Β· Salt Lake City, UT.