Moving from Paterson, NJ to Amarillo, TX
A 1720 mi cross-country move between Paterson and Amarillo is 31h 20m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 8 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1720 mi Β· 31h 20m by car Β· TX β OK β MO β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β 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, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Springfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Paterson | Amarillo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 91.82 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 83.474 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 78.38 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 18.4% moving from Paterson to Amarillo β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $528,882 in Paterson to $206,787 in Amarillo, a 18.4% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Paterson +5.0%, Amarillo +2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Paterson | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | β | β |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 53.1Β°F vs 56.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LITTLE FALLS, NJ US, AMARILLO 7ENE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Paterson | Amarillo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 157,660 | 200,945 |
| Median household income | $53,766 | $62,469 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 35 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.5% | 17% |
| Avg household size | 3.17 | 2.56 |
Households in Amarillo earn about 18.4% more at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Amarillo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,710 | $37,520 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 12,610 | $26,820 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 11,220 | $37,100 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 11,020 | $29,500 |
| Production Occupations | 9,370 | $39,900 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New Jersey and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Amarillo average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Paterson vs Amarillo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,469 in Amarillo vs $53,766 in Paterson β a 16.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Paterson to Amarillo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1720 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Amarillo compared to Paterson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $206,787 in Amarillo vs $528,882 in Paterson β a 60.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Amarillo compare to Paterson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $39,900 in the Amarillo MSA vs $59,390 in the Paterson MSA, on total employment of 120,310 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Amarillo, TX from Paterson, NJ?
The driving distance is 1720 mi and the route typically takes 31h 20m via I 44 and I 70. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Amarillo more expensive than Paterson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Amarillo is 18.4% lower than Paterson (91.82 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Paterson.
City profiles: Paterson, NJ Β· Amarillo, TX.