Moving from Burbank, CA to Paterson, NJ
It is 2782 mi and 49h 26m from Burbank to Paterson β a cross-country move across 11 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.
2782 mi Β· 49h 26m by car Β· NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO β UT β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO β UT β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, I 80 EXPRESS |
| Major cities en route | New York, Newark, Jersey City, Yonkers, Elizabeth |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Burbank | Paterson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Burbank and Paterson sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,200,885 in Burbank to $528,882 in Paterson, a 0.9% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Burbank -2.4%, Paterson +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Burbank | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 16.5" | β |
Expect 11.4Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BURBANK VALLEY PUMP PLT, CA US, LITTLE FALLS, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Burbank | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,165 | 157,660 |
| Median household income | $95,816 | $53,766 |
| Median age | 39.8 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31% | 9.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.44 | 3.17 |
Expect median household income to fall 0.9% β $95,816 β $53,766 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 California 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.
- 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.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (11.4Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in New Jersey after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Paterson, NJ from Burbank, CA?
The driving distance is 2782 mi and the route typically takes 49h 26m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Burbank vs Paterson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,766 in Paterson vs $95,816 in Burbank β a 43.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Paterson compared to Burbank?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $528,882 in Paterson vs $1,200,885 in Burbank β a 56.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Paterson more expensive than Burbank?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Paterson is 0.9% lower than Burbank (112.563 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Paterson compare to Burbank?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Paterson MSA vs $50,490 in the Burbank MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Burbank to Paterson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2782 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 Burbank.
City profiles: Burbank, CA Β· Paterson, NJ.