Moving from Paterson, NJ to Hillsboro, OR
A 2899 mi cross-country move between Paterson and Hillsboro is 51h 4m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 11 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.
2899 mi Β· 51h 4m by car Β· NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β ID β OR
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β ID β OR |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 84, I 80 EXPRESS |
| Major cities en route | New York, Newark, Jersey City, Yonkers, Elizabeth |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Paterson | Hillsboro | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 105.421 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 106.974 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 105.222 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 125.114 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 6.3% moving from Paterson to Hillsboro 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 for Hillsboro ($522,557) sits close to Paterson ($528,882) β no material housing gap.
YoY change: Paterson +5.0%, Hillsboro -3.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Paterson | Hillsboro |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 82Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | β | 35.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 53.1Β°F vs 52.5Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LITTLE FALLS, NJ US, PORTLAND-HILLSBORO AP, OR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Paterson | Hillsboro |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 157,660 | 107,050 |
| Median household income | $53,766 | $103,207 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 34.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.5% | 23.6% |
| Avg household size | 3.17 | 2.59 |
Hillsboro households earn about 6.3% more than Paterson at the median β $53,766 β $103,207 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Hillsboro MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 141,870 | $47,870 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 104,880 | $44,260 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 99,580 | $34,860 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 96,250 | $41,260 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 92,520 | $79,400 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New Jersey and Oregon
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Oregon'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.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season peaks July through September east of the Cascades β register for county emergency alerts.
- 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 Oregon after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Hillsboro compared to Paterson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $522,557 in Hillsboro vs $528,882 in Paterson β a 1.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Paterson to Hillsboro?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2899 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Hillsboro, OR from Paterson, NJ?
The driving distance is 2899 mi and the route typically takes 51h 4m via I 80 and I 84. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Paterson vs Hillsboro?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,207 in Hillsboro vs $53,766 in Paterson β a 92.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Hillsboro more expensive than Paterson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hillsboro is 6.3% lower than Paterson (105.421 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Hillsboro compare to Paterson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,940 in the Hillsboro MSA vs $59,390 in the Paterson MSA, on total employment of 1,206,150 and 9,495,240 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 Paterson.
City profiles: Paterson, NJ Β· Hillsboro, OR.