Moving from Ontario, CA to Paterson, NJ
Moving from Ontario, CA to Paterson, NJ is a 2743 mi cross-country relocation β about 48h 46m of driving through 12 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.
2743 mi Β· 48h 46m by car Β· CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Anaheim, Riverside, Santa Ana, Irvine, Fontana |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Ontario | Paterson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 106.442 in Ontario to 112.563 in Paterson, a 5.8% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Paterson: 5.8% below Ontario on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Ontario -1.7%, Paterson +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Ontario | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | β |
Paterson is 13.7Β°F cooler on the annual average (66.8Β°F vs 53.1Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US, LITTLE FALLS, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Ontario | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 178,347 | 157,660 |
| Median household income | $82,806 | $53,766 |
| Median age | 33.1 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 9.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.39 | 3.17 |
Median household income in Paterson is 5.8% below Ontario ($82,806 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 California 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- 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 (13.7Β°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 Ontario, CA?
The driving distance is 2743 mi and the route typically takes 48h 46m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 12 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Ontario to Paterson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2743 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Paterson more expensive than Ontario?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Paterson is 5.8% higher than Ontario (112.563 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Ontario vs Paterson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,766 in Paterson vs $82,806 in Ontario β a 35.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Paterson compare to Ontario?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Paterson MSA vs $47,450 in the Ontario MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Paterson compared to Ontario?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $528,882 in Paterson vs $672,742 in Ontario β a 21.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Ontario.
City profiles: Ontario, CA Β· Paterson, NJ.