Moving from West Valley City, UT to Paterson, NJ
Cross-country relocations like West Valley City, UT β Paterson, NJ cover 2166 mi and about 38h 22m of driving through 9 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2166 mi Β· 38h 22m 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
| West Valley City | Paterson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.868 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 79 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.446 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.311 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 11.6% pricier overall in Paterson than West Valley City on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 11.6% higher in Paterson than West Valley City as of 2026-03.
YoY change: West Valley City +1.3%, Paterson +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | West Valley City | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 24Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 51.9" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 15.5" | β |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 54.7Β°F vs 53.1Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SALT LAKE CITY INTL AP, UT US, LITTLE FALLS, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Valley City | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,955 | 157,660 |
| Median household income | $88,604 | $53,766 |
| Median age | 30.3 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12% | 9.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.55 | 3.17 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 11.6% between West Valley City 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 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
How much do homes cost in Paterson compared to West Valley City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $528,882 in Paterson vs $471,862 in West Valley City β a 12.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Paterson, NJ from West Valley City, UT?
The driving distance is 2166 mi and the route typically takes 38h 22m 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 West Valley City to Paterson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2166 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 West Valley City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Paterson MSA vs $49,440 in the West Valley City MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 803,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Paterson more expensive than West Valley City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Paterson is 11.6% higher than West Valley City (112.563 vs 100.868, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in West Valley City vs Paterson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,766 in Paterson vs $88,604 in West Valley City β a 39.3% 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 West Valley City.
City profiles: West Valley City, UT Β· Paterson, NJ.