Moving from Hampton, VA to Paterson, NJ

Moving from Hampton, VA to Paterson, NJ covers 373 mi and about 8h 11m by car through 4 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β€” the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.

373 mi Β· 8h 11m by car Β· NJ β†’ DE β†’ MD β†’ VA

COL +14.9% Home values +92.1% Ξ” -6.7Β°F annual

Distance & route

Driving
373 mi
Drive time
8h 11m
States
4
Fuel (25 mpg)
15 gal
Route throughNJ β†’ DE β†’ MD β†’ VA
Primary highwaysUS 13, NJTP, I 95
Major cities en routeYonkers, New York, Jersey City, Newark, Elizabeth

Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.

Cost of living

HamptonPatersonU.S. avg
All items (RPP)97.941112.563100.0
Rents89.579127.018100.0
Goods96.767110.261100.0
Services99.805148.616100.0

BEA RPP moves from 97.941 in Hampton to 112.563 in Paterson, a 14.9% bump on the overall price level.

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.

Housing prices

Hampton β€” typical home
$275,341
Paterson β€” typical home
$528,882
Hampton β€” typical rent
$1,593/mo
Paterson β€” typical rent
$2,054/mo

Homes run dramatically pricier in Paterson: 14.9% above Hampton on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).

YoY change: Hampton -0.3%, Paterson +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.

Climate

1991–2020 normalsHamptonPaterson
Annual avg temperature60Β°F53Β°F
January avg low32Β°F22Β°F
July avg high87Β°F87Β°F
Annual snowfall2.7"β€”
Annual precipitation47.8"β€”

Paterson is 6.7Β°F cooler on the annual average (59.8Β°F vs 53.1Β°F, NOAA 1991–2020).

Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LANGLEY AFB, VA US, LITTLE FALLS, NJ US).

Demographics

ACS 5-year 2023HamptonPaterson
Population137,334157,660
Median household income$67,758$53,766
Median age36.533.3
Bachelor's degree or higher17.1%9.5%
Avg household size2.383.17

Median household income in Paterson is 14.9% below Hampton ($67,758 vs $53,766, ACS 5-year 2023).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.

Jobs & wages

Hampton MSA β€” median wage
$46,990
Paterson MSA β€” median wage
$59,390
Hampton MSA β€” employment
737,200
Paterson MSA β€” employment
9,495,240

Top occupations in Paterson MSA

OccupationEmploymentMedian 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 Virginia and New Jersey

Virginia income tax
5.75% top marginal
New Jersey income tax
10.75% top marginal

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 20–30% 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

  • I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.

State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.

Frequently asked

How far is Paterson, NJ from Hampton, VA?

The driving distance is 373 mi and the route typically takes 8h 11m via US 13 and NJTP. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.

When is the best time to move from Hampton to Paterson?

Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 373 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 Hampton?

Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $528,882 in Paterson vs $275,341 in Hampton β€” a 92.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.

Is Paterson more expensive than Hampton?

Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Paterson is 14.9% higher than Hampton (112.563 vs 97.941, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.

How does the job market in Paterson compare to Hampton?

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Paterson MSA vs $46,990 in the Hampton MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 737,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.

How does household income compare in Hampton vs Paterson?

Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,766 in Paterson vs $67,758 in Hampton β€” a 20.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.

Plan the move

Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Hampton.

City profiles: Hampton, VA Β· Paterson, NJ.

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