Moving from Provo, UT to Paterson, NJ
It is 2178 mi and 38h 39m from Provo to Paterson 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.
2178 mi Β· 38h 39m 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
| Provo | Paterson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.232 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 78.63 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.446 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.081 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Paterson runs about 14.6% more expensive overall than Provo β RPP 98.232 β 112.563.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Paterson run about 14.6% pricier β ZHVI $484,203 β $528,882 (2026-03).
YoY change: Provo +2.3%, Paterson +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Provo | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 24Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 44.9" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.2" | β |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 54.6Β°F vs 53.1Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PROVO BYU, UT US, LITTLE FALLS, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Provo | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,303 | 157,660 |
| Median household income | $62,800 | $53,766 |
| Median age | 23.7 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.1% | 9.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.35 | 3.17 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 14.6% lower in Paterson than Provo.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Paterson 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.
Moving between Utah and New Jersey
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check New Jersey'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.
Frequently asked
Is Paterson more expensive than Provo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Paterson is 14.6% higher than Provo (112.563 vs 98.232, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Paterson, NJ from Provo, UT?
The driving distance is 2178 mi and the route typically takes 38h 39m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Provo to Paterson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2178 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 Paterson compare to Provo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Paterson MSA vs $45,700 in the Provo MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 293,170 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Paterson compared to Provo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $528,882 in Paterson vs $484,203 in Provo β a 9.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Provo vs Paterson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,766 in Paterson vs $62,800 in Provo β a 14.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Provo.
City profiles: Provo, UT Β· Paterson, NJ.