Moving from Palmdale, CA to Paterson, NJ
Cross-country relocations like Palmdale, CA β Paterson, NJ cover 2748 mi and about 49h 3m of driving through 11 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.
2748 mi Β· 49h 3m by car Β· CA β NV 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 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 | Santa Clarita, Glendale, Lancaster, Pasadena, Rancho Cucamonga |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Palmdale | Paterson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Paterson and Palmdale are close on the overall BEA RPP (113.566 vs 112.563); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 0.9% higher in Paterson than Palmdale as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Palmdale -1.3%, Paterson +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Palmdale | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 35Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 98Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 7.3" | β |
Climate cools by 10.5Β°F on the annual average β 63.6Β°F β 53.1Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PALMDALE, CA US, LITTLE FALLS, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Palmdale | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 165,487 | 157,660 |
| Median household income | $81,151 | $53,766 |
| Median age | 33.2 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.4% | 9.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.56 | 3.17 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 0.9% between Palmdale and Paterson (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 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-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 (10.5Β°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 Palmdale, CA?
The driving distance is 2748 mi and the route typically takes 49h 3m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Palmdale vs Paterson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,766 in Paterson vs $81,151 in Palmdale β a 33.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Palmdale to Paterson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2748 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Paterson more expensive than Palmdale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Paterson is 0.9% lower than Palmdale (112.563 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Paterson compared to Palmdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $528,882 in Paterson vs $501,257 in Palmdale β a 5.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Paterson compare to Palmdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Paterson MSA vs $50,490 in the Palmdale MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Palmdale.
City profiles: Palmdale, CA Β· Paterson, NJ.