Moving from Paterson, NJ to San Mateo, CA
It is 2912 mi and 51h 11m from Paterson to San Mateo β a cross-country move across 11 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.
2912 mi Β· 51h 11m 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 | San Mateo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 112.563 vs 115.613 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 2.7% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $528,882 to $1,686,905 moving to San Mateo.
YoY change: Paterson +5.0%, San Mateo +0.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Paterson | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 73Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | β | 19.6" |
Expect 5.6Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LITTLE FALLS, NJ US, SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Paterson | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 157,660 | 103,555 |
| Median household income | $53,766 | $152,669 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.5% | 31.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.17 | 2.6 |
Expect median household income to rise 2.7% β $53,766 β $152,669 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in San Mateo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
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
How does household income compare in Paterson vs San Mateo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $152,669 in San Mateo vs $53,766 in Paterson β a 184.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Paterson to San Mateo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2912 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in San Mateo compare to Paterson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the San Mateo MSA vs $59,390 in the Paterson MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in San Mateo compared to Paterson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,686,905 in San Mateo vs $528,882 in Paterson β a 219.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is San Mateo more expensive than Paterson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Mateo is 2.7% higher than Paterson (115.613 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is San Mateo, CA from Paterson, NJ?
The driving distance is 2912 mi and the route typically takes 51h 11m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Paterson.
City profiles: Paterson, NJ Β· San Mateo, CA.