Moving from Kent, WA to Paterson, NJ
Moving from Kent, WA to Paterson, NJ is a 2843 mi cross-country relocation β about 50h 23m of driving through 11 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.
2843 mi Β· 50h 23m by car Β· NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β WI β MN β ND β MT β ID β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β WI β MN β ND β MT β ID β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 94, I 80 |
| 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
| Kent | Paterson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Kent (111.133) and Paterson (112.563) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing drop: Paterson ZHVI at $528,882 is 1.3% below Kent at $656,314.
YoY change: Kent -2.1%, Paterson +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Kent | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.1" | β |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KENT, WA US, LITTLE FALLS, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kent | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,015 | 157,660 |
| Median household income | $90,416 | $53,766 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.1% | 9.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.89 | 3.17 |
Median household income in Paterson is 1.3% below Kent ($90,416 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 Washington 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.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
Is Paterson more expensive than Kent?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Paterson is 1.3% higher than Kent (112.563 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Kent vs Paterson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,766 in Paterson vs $90,416 in Kent β a 40.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Paterson compare to Kent?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Paterson MSA vs $65,260 in the Kent MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Paterson, NJ from Kent, WA?
The driving distance is 2843 mi and the route typically takes 50h 23m via I 90 and I 94. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Paterson compared to Kent?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $528,882 in Paterson vs $656,314 in Kent β a 19.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Kent to Paterson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2843 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 Kent.
City profiles: Kent, WA Β· Paterson, NJ.