Moving from Oklahoma City, OK to Paterson, NJ
A move from Oklahoma City, OK to Paterson, NJ covers 1463 mi and around 26h 57m of driving through 7 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1463 mi Β· 26h 57m by car Β· OK β MO β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | OK β MO β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, I 70, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Norman, Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Springfield, St Louis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Oklahoma City | Paterson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.408 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.067 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.885 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Major COL jump: 24.5% higher overall in Paterson vs Oklahoma City on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Paterson: 24.5% above Oklahoma City on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Oklahoma City -0.3%, Paterson +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Oklahoma City | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 27Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 6.7" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 36.4" | β |
Paterson is 7.0Β°F cooler on the annual average (60.1Β°F vs 53.1Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: OKLAHOMA CITY WILL ROGERS AP, OK US, LITTLE FALLS, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Oklahoma City | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 688,693 | 157,660 |
| Median household income | $66,702 | $53,766 |
| Median age | 35 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.5% | 9.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 3.17 |
Median household income in Paterson is 24.5% below Oklahoma City ($66,702 β $53,766, ACS 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 Oklahoma 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.
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 Oklahoma City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Paterson MSA vs $44,030 in the Oklahoma City MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 656,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Paterson, NJ from Oklahoma City, OK?
The driving distance is 1463 mi and the route typically takes 26h 57m via I 44 and I 70. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Paterson compared to Oklahoma City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $528,882 in Paterson vs $206,713 in Oklahoma City β a 155.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Oklahoma City vs Paterson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,766 in Paterson vs $66,702 in Oklahoma City β a 19.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Paterson more expensive than Oklahoma City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Paterson is 24.5% higher than Oklahoma City (112.563 vs 90.408, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Oklahoma City to Paterson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1463 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 Oklahoma City.
City profiles: Oklahoma City, OK Β· Paterson, NJ.