Moving from Richardson, TX to Paterson, NJ
It is 1546 mi and 28h 11m from Richardson to Paterson β a cross-country move across 8 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.
1546 mi Β· 28h 11m by car Β· NJ β PA β MD β WV β VA β TN β AR β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ β PA β MD β WV β VA β TN β AR β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 30 |
| 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
| Richardson | Paterson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Paterson runs about 9.2% more expensive overall than Richardson β RPP 103.09 β 112.563.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $440,400 in Richardson to $528,882 in Paterson, a 9.2% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Richardson -2.4%, Paterson +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Richardson | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | β |
Expect 12.7Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHARDSON, TX US, LITTLE FALLS, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richardson | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,269 | 157,660 |
| Median household income | $96,257 | $53,766 |
| Median age | 34 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.1% | 9.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 3.17 |
Expect median household income to fall 9.2% β $96,257 β $53,766 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
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 Texas 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-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (12.7Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 New Jersey after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Paterson, NJ from Richardson, TX?
The driving distance is 1546 mi and the route typically takes 28h 11m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Richardson to Paterson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1546 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Paterson compared to Richardson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $528,882 in Paterson vs $440,400 in Richardson β a 20.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Richardson vs Paterson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,766 in Paterson vs $96,257 in Richardson β a 44.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Paterson compare to Richardson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Paterson MSA vs $48,440 in the Richardson MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Paterson more expensive than Richardson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Paterson is 9.2% higher than Richardson (112.563 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Richardson.
City profiles: Richardson, TX Β· Paterson, NJ.