Moving from Paterson, NJ to Hollywood, FL
It is 1272 mi between Paterson and Hollywood β roughly 23h 59m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 9 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1272 mi Β· 23h 59m by car Β· NJ β DE β MD β DC β VA β NC β SC β GA β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ β DE β MD β DC β VA β NC β SC β GA β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, NJTP, I 295 |
| Major cities en route | Yonkers, New York, Newark, Jersey City, Elizabeth |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Paterson | Hollywood | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 1.4% under Paterson β $528,882 β $439,400 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Paterson +5.0%, Hollywood -5.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Paterson | Hollywood |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 76Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 59Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | β | 65.0" |
Annual average temperature gap of 23.0Β°F β a meaningful climate change across the move.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LITTLE FALLS, NJ US, HOLLYWOOD, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Paterson | Hollywood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 157,660 | 152,935 |
| Median household income | $53,766 | $65,359 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 41 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.5% | 19.8% |
| Avg household size | 3.17 | 2.53 |
Hollywood households earn about 1.4% more than Paterson at the median β $53,766 β $65,359 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Hollywood MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 393,730 | $41,640 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 306,440 | $37,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 261,940 | $30,720 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 239,610 | $37,610 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 194,910 | $77,760 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New Jersey and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Pack rain gear on top: Hollywood averages 65.0 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (23.0Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) during unpack.
- 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 Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Hollywood compared to Paterson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $439,400 in Hollywood vs $528,882 in Paterson β a 16.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Hollywood more expensive than Paterson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hollywood is 1.4% higher than Paterson (114.155 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Hollywood compare to Paterson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Hollywood MSA vs $59,390 in the Paterson MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Hollywood, FL from Paterson, NJ?
The driving distance is 1272 mi and the route typically takes 23h 59m via I 95 and NJTP. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Paterson vs Hollywood?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,359 in Hollywood vs $53,766 in Paterson β a 21.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Paterson to Hollywood?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1272 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Paterson.
City profiles: Paterson, NJ Β· Hollywood, FL.