Moving from Virginia Beach, VA to Paterson, NJ
Moving from Virginia Beach, VA to Paterson, NJ covers 364 mi and about 7h 59m by car through 4 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
364 mi Β· 7h 59m by car Β· VA β MD β DE β NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | VA β MD β DE β NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 13, NJTP, DE 1 TOLL |
| Major cities en route | Chesapeake, Norfolk, Newport News, Hampton, Philadelphia |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Virginia Beach | Paterson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.941 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.579 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.767 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.805 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 97.941 in Virginia Beach to 112.563 in Paterson, a 14.9% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Paterson: 14.9% above Virginia Beach on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Virginia Beach +2.8%, Paterson +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Virginia Beach | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 32Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | β |
Paterson is 6.7Β°F cooler on the annual average (59.8Β°F vs 53.1Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: OCEANA NAS, VA US, LITTLE FALLS, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Virginia Beach | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 457,066 | 157,660 |
| Median household income | $90,685 | $53,766 |
| Median age | 37.4 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 9.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 3.17 |
Median household income in Paterson is 14.9% below Virginia Beach ($90,685 vs $53,766, ACS 5-year 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 Virginia 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
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Paterson compare to Virginia Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Paterson MSA vs $46,990 in the Virginia Beach MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 737,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Paterson, NJ from Virginia Beach, VA?
The driving distance is 364 mi and the route typically takes 7h 59m via US 13 and NJTP. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Virginia Beach vs Paterson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,766 in Paterson vs $90,685 in Virginia Beach β a 40.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Paterson compared to Virginia Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $528,882 in Paterson vs $427,032 in Virginia Beach β a 23.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Virginia Beach to Paterson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 364 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Paterson more expensive than Virginia Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Paterson is 14.9% higher than Virginia Beach (112.563 vs 97.941, 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 Virginia Beach.
City profiles: Virginia Beach, VA Β· Paterson, NJ.