Moving from Tacoma, WA to Paterson, NJ
A 2836 mi cross-country move between Tacoma and Paterson is 50h 36m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 12 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.
2836 mi Β· 50h 36m by car Β· WA β ID β MT β WY β SD β MN β WI β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β ID β MT β WY β SD β MN β WI β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 14, SD 79 |
| Major cities en route | Kent, Seattle, Bellevue, Renton, Spokane |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tacoma | Paterson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 1.3% above Tacoma β $493,840 β $528,882 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Tacoma -0.9%, Paterson +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tacoma | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.8" | β |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TACOMA #1, WA US, LITTLE FALLS, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tacoma | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 157,660 |
| Median household income | $83,857 | $53,766 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21% | 9.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 3.17 |
Paterson households earn about 1.3% less than Tacoma at the median β $83,857 β $53,766 on 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 Washington 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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
Is Paterson more expensive than Tacoma?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Paterson is 1.3% higher than Tacoma (112.563 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Tacoma vs Paterson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,766 in Paterson vs $83,857 in Tacoma β a 35.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Paterson compare to Tacoma?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Paterson MSA vs $65,260 in the Tacoma MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Paterson, NJ from Tacoma, WA?
The driving distance is 2836 mi and the route typically takes 50h 36m via I 90 and US 14. The trip crosses 12 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Paterson compared to Tacoma?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $528,882 in Paterson vs $493,840 in Tacoma β a 7.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Tacoma to Paterson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2836 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tacoma.
City profiles: Tacoma, WA Β· Paterson, NJ.