Moving from Arvada, CO to Paterson, NJ
A 1772 mi cross-country move between Arvada and Paterson is 31h 55m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 8 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.
1772 mi Β· 31h 55m by car Β· NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 76 |
| 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
| Arvada | Paterson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 6.4% above Arvada β 105.782 β 112.563 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 6.4% under Arvada β $616,566 β $528,882 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Arvada -2.5%, Paterson +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Arvada | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 17Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 75.5" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.1" | β |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WHEAT RIDGE 2, CO US, LITTLE FALLS, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arvada | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 157,660 |
| Median household income | $113,396 | $53,766 |
| Median age | 40.2 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.7% | 9.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 3.17 |
Paterson households earn about 6.4% less than Arvada at the median β $113,396 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 Colorado 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.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Arvada to Paterson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1772 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 Arvada?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Paterson MSA vs $58,490 in the Arvada MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Paterson more expensive than Arvada?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Paterson is 6.4% higher than Arvada (112.563 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Paterson compared to Arvada?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $528,882 in Paterson vs $616,566 in Arvada β a 14.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Arvada vs Paterson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,766 in Paterson vs $113,396 in Arvada β a 52.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Paterson, NJ from Arvada, CO?
The driving distance is 1772 mi and the route typically takes 31h 55m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 8 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 Arvada.
City profiles: Arvada, CO Β· Paterson, NJ.