Moving from Paterson, NJ to Arvada, CO
It is 1772 mi and 31h 55m from Paterson to Arvada β a cross-country move across 8 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1772 mi Β· 31h 55m by car Β· NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 76 |
| 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
| Paterson | Arvada | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Expect about 6.0% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Arvada at 105.782 vs Paterson at 112.563.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 6.0% higher home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Paterson +5.0%, Arvada -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Paterson | Arvada |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 17Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 75.5" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 17.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Paterson (53.1Β°F) and Arvada (50.3Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Arvada averages 75.5 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LITTLE FALLS, NJ US, WHEAT RIDGE 2, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Paterson | Arvada |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 157,660 | 122,835 |
| Median household income | $53,766 | $113,396 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 40.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.5% | 31.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.17 | 2.47 |
Expect median household income to rise 6.0% β $53,766 β $113,396 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Arvada MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 173,910 | $49,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 172,890 | $48,280 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 164,250 | $84,370 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 140,150 | $36,010 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 129,510 | $45,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New Jersey and Colorado
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Colorado'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.
- 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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Arvada averages 75.5 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Arvada compared to Paterson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $616,566 in Arvada vs $528,882 in Paterson β a 16.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Paterson vs Arvada?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,396 in Arvada vs $53,766 in Paterson β a 110.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Paterson to Arvada?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1772 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Arvada, CO from Paterson, NJ?
The driving distance is 1772 mi and the route typically takes 31h 55m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Arvada compare to Paterson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Arvada MSA vs $59,390 in the Paterson MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Arvada more expensive than Paterson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Arvada is 6.0% lower than Paterson (105.782 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· Arvada, CO.