Moving from Paterson, NJ to West Jordan, UT
A 2171 mi cross-country move between Paterson and West Jordan is 38h 29m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 9 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2171 mi Β· 38h 29m by car Β· NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β WY β UT
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β WY β UT |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 90 |
| Major cities en route | New York, Jersey City, Yonkers, Newark, Elizabeth |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Paterson | West Jordan | 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 |
Overall cost of living drops 10.4% moving from Paterson to West Jordan β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in West Jordan run about 10.4% pricier β ZHVI $528,882 β $561,836 (2026-03).
YoY change: Paterson +5.0%, West Jordan +1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Paterson | West Jordan |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 55Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 25Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | β | β |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 53.1Β°F vs 54.5Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LITTLE FALLS, NJ US, DRAPER-POINT OF MTN, UT US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Paterson | West Jordan |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 157,660 | 116,277 |
| Median household income | $53,766 | $103,960 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 33.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.5% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.17 | 3.2 |
West Jordan households earn about 10.4% more than Paterson at the median β $53,766 β $103,960 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in West Jordan 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
- 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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in West Jordan average 94Β°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 the job market in West Jordan compare to Paterson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,440 in the West Jordan 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.
How much do homes cost in West Jordan compared to Paterson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $561,836 in West Jordan vs $528,882 in Paterson β a 6.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Paterson to West Jordan?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2171 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 West Jordan?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,960 in West Jordan vs $53,766 in Paterson β a 93.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is West Jordan more expensive than Paterson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in West Jordan is 10.4% lower than Paterson (100.868 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is West Jordan, UT from Paterson, NJ?
The driving distance is 2171 mi and the route typically takes 38h 29m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 9 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· West Jordan, UT.