Moving from Rochester, MN to Paterson, NJ
The drive from Rochester, MN to Paterson, NJ runs 1129 mi β about 20h 59m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1129 mi Β· 20h 59m by car Β· NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β WI β MN
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β WI β MN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 94 |
| Major cities en route | New York, Yonkers, Newark, Jersey City, Elizabeth |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rochester | Paterson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.821 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.389 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.433 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.628 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Overall price level in Paterson runs 23.9% higher than Rochester β a substantial step-up on the BEA Regional Price Parity (90.821 β 112.563, 2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Paterson is 23.9% above Rochester β $339,455 vs $528,882 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Rochester +3.9%, Paterson +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Rochester | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 45Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 7Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 80Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 53.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | β |
Climate warms by 8.3Β°F on the annual average β 44.8Β°F β 53.1Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ROCHESTER INTL AP, MN US, LITTLE FALLS, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rochester | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,638 | 157,660 |
| Median household income | $87,767 | $53,766 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.7% | 9.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 3.17 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 23.9% between Rochester and Paterson (ACS 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 Minnesota 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.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
Is Paterson more expensive than Rochester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Paterson is 23.9% higher than Rochester (112.563 vs 90.821, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Paterson compare to Rochester?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Paterson MSA vs $55,970 in the Rochester MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 119,430 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Rochester vs Paterson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,766 in Paterson vs $87,767 in Rochester β a 38.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Rochester to Paterson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1129 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 Rochester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $528,882 in Paterson vs $339,455 in Rochester β a 55.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Paterson, NJ from Rochester, MN?
The driving distance is 1129 mi and the route typically takes 20h 59m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 7 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 Rochester.
City profiles: Rochester, MN Β· Paterson, NJ.