Moving from Amarillo, TX to Paterson, NJ
It is 1720 mi and 31h 20m from Amarillo 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.
1720 mi Β· 31h 20m by car Β· TX β OK β MO β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β MO β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, I 70, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Norman, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Springfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Amarillo | Paterson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.82 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.474 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.38 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Paterson is 22.6% more expensive than Amarillo on the BEA RPP β expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $206,787 in Amarillo to $528,882 in Paterson, a 22.6% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Amarillo +2.6%, Paterson +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Amarillo | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | β | β |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 56.9Β°F vs 53.1Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: AMARILLO 7ENE, TX US, LITTLE FALLS, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Amarillo | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,945 | 157,660 |
| Median household income | $62,469 | $53,766 |
| Median age | 35 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17% | 9.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.56 | 3.17 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 22.6% lower in Paterson than Amarillo.
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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How far is Paterson, NJ from Amarillo, TX?
The driving distance is 1720 mi and the route typically takes 31h 20m via I 44 and I 70. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Amarillo vs Paterson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,766 in Paterson vs $62,469 in Amarillo β a 13.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Paterson compare to Amarillo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Paterson MSA vs $39,900 in the Amarillo MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 120,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Amarillo to Paterson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1720 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 Amarillo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $528,882 in Paterson vs $206,787 in Amarillo β a 155.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Paterson more expensive than Amarillo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Paterson is 22.6% higher than Amarillo (112.563 vs 91.82, 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 Amarillo.
City profiles: Amarillo, TX Β· Paterson, NJ.