Moving from Fargo, ND to Paterson, NJ
It is 1423 mi between Fargo and Paterson β roughly 26h 22m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 8 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1423 mi Β· 26h 22m by car Β· NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β WI β MN β ND
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β WI β MN β ND |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 94, 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
| Fargo | Paterson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.871 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 77.324 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.654 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 81.142 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Paterson is 23.9% above Fargo β one of the larger spreads between U.S. metros.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
23.9% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Fargo +4.2%, Paterson +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fargo | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 41Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | -2Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 24.4" | β |
Annual temperature rises 11.7Β°F moving to Paterson per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FARGO 3S, ND US, LITTLE FALLS, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fargo | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 157,660 |
| Median household income | $66,029 | $53,766 |
| Median age | 32.2 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29% | 9.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.2 | 3.17 |
Households in Paterson earn about 23.9% less at the median β 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 North Dakota 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.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- I-29 and I-94 can close without notice in winter storms; travel bans are declared more than once most winters.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (11.7Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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
Is Paterson more expensive than Fargo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Paterson is 23.9% higher than Fargo (112.563 vs 90.871, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Paterson compare to Fargo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Paterson MSA vs $48,110 in the Fargo MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 145,680 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Paterson, NJ from Fargo, ND?
The driving distance is 1423 mi and the route typically takes 26h 22m via I 80 and I 94. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Fargo vs Paterson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,766 in Paterson vs $66,029 in Fargo β a 18.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Fargo to Paterson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1423 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 Fargo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $528,882 in Paterson vs $314,973 in Fargo β a 67.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fargo.
City profiles: Fargo, ND Β· Paterson, NJ.