Moving from Denver, CO to Paterson, NJ
Moving from Denver, CO to Paterson, NJ is a 1765 mi cross-country relocation β about 31h 48m of driving through 8 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1765 mi Β· 31h 48m by car Β· CO β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 76 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Centennial, Lakewood, Arvada, Westminster |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Denver | 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 |
Moderate COL step-up: 6.4% pricier overall in Paterson than Denver on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values are comparable between the two cities on the latest Zillow ZHVI.
YoY change: Denver -4.3%, Paterson +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Denver | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 18Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 15.4" | β |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 51.4Β°F vs 53.1Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DENVER-STAPLETON, CO US, LITTLE FALLS, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Denver | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 157,660 |
| Median household income | $91,681 | $53,766 |
| Median age | 35.2 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.8% | 9.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.17 | 3.17 |
Median household income in Paterson is 6.4% below Denver ($91,681 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 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
- 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.
- 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 does the job market in Paterson compare to Denver?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Paterson MSA vs $58,490 in the Denver 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.
When is the best time to move from Denver to Paterson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1765 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Paterson more expensive than Denver?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Paterson is 6.4% higher than Denver (112.563 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Denver vs Paterson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,766 in Paterson vs $91,681 in Denver β a 41.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Paterson, NJ from Denver, CO?
The driving distance is 1765 mi and the route typically takes 31h 48m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Paterson compared to Denver?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $528,882 in Paterson vs $539,666 in Denver β a 2.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Denver.
City profiles: Denver, CO Β· Paterson, NJ.