Moving from Houston, TX to Paterson, NJ
Cross-country relocations like Houston, TX β Paterson, NJ cover 1629 mi and about 30h 12m of driving through 10 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1629 mi Β· 30h 12m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL β GA β TN β VA β WV β PA β NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL β GA β TN β VA β WV β PA β NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 81, I 59, I 10 |
| Major cities en route | Sugar Land, Pasadena, Pearland, League City, Beaumont |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Houston | Paterson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Paterson is 14.1% higher than Houston, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Paterson is 14.1% above Houston β $264,336 vs $528,882 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Houston -2.9%, Paterson +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Houston | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 54.1" | β |
Paterson runs 17.5Β°F colder on the annual average (70.6Β°F vs 53.1Β°F) β expect a noticeably different year.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HOUSTON-PORT, TX US, LITTLE FALLS, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Houston | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 157,660 |
| Median household income | $62,894 | $53,766 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 9.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 3.17 |
Income steps down 14.1%: $62,894 in Houston vs $53,766 in Paterson.
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 Texas 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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (17.5Β°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 Houston, TX?
The driving distance is 1629 mi and the route typically takes 30h 12m via I 81 and I 59. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Houston vs Paterson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,766 in Paterson vs $62,894 in Houston β a 14.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Paterson more expensive than Houston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Paterson is 14.1% higher than Houston (112.563 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Houston to Paterson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1629 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 Houston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Paterson MSA vs $46,960 in the Houston MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Paterson compared to Houston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $528,882 in Paterson vs $264,336 in Houston β a 100.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Houston.
City profiles: Houston, TX Β· Paterson, NJ.