Moving from Paterson, NJ to Knoxville, TN
A move from Paterson, NJ to Knoxville, TN covers 707 mi and around 13h 18m of driving through 5 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
707 mi Β· 13h 18m by car Β· TN β VA β WV β PA β NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | TN β VA β WV β PA β NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 81, US 11, I 78 |
| Major cities en route | Allentown, Elizabeth, Newark, Jersey City, New York |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Paterson | Knoxville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 92.569 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 71.869 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 96.247 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 82.783 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Knoxville are 17.8% below Paterson β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Knoxville typical home at $369,216 is 17.8% under Paterson at $528,882 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Paterson +5.0%, Knoxville +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Paterson | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | β | 55.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 53.1Β°F vs 57.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LITTLE FALLS, NJ US, KNOXVILLE EXP STN, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Paterson | Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 157,660 | 193,721 |
| Median household income | $53,766 | $50,994 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.5% | 20.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.17 | 2.28 |
Median household income in Knoxville is 17.8% below Paterson ($53,766 β $50,994, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Knoxville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 57,000 | $39,660 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 40,780 | $28,680 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 39,220 | $36,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 35,880 | $32,470 |
| Production Occupations | 33,840 | $41,910 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New Jersey and Tennessee
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Tennessee'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-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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
- Pack rain gear on top: Knoxville averages 55.8 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 Tennessee after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Knoxville compared to Paterson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $369,216 in Knoxville vs $528,882 in Paterson β a 30.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Knoxville compare to Paterson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,040 in the Knoxville MSA vs $59,390 in the Paterson MSA, on total employment of 413,540 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Paterson vs Knoxville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $50,994 in Knoxville vs $53,766 in Paterson β a 5.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Paterson to Knoxville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 707 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Knoxville more expensive than Paterson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Knoxville is 17.8% lower than Paterson (92.569 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Knoxville, TN from Paterson, NJ?
The driving distance is 707 mi and the route typically takes 13h 18m via I 81 and US 11. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Paterson.
City profiles: Paterson, NJ Β· Knoxville, TN.