Moving from Paterson, NJ to Los Angeles, CA
Cross-country relocations like Paterson, NJ β Los Angeles, CA cover 2791 mi and about 49h 43m of driving through 12 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2791 mi Β· 49h 43m by car Β· CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Clarita, Torrance, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Inglewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Paterson | Los Angeles | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Los Angeles and Paterson are close on the overall BEA RPP (112.563 vs 113.566); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Los Angeles typical home at $952,183 is 0.9% above Paterson at $528,882 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Paterson +5.0%, Los Angeles -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Paterson | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 48Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 78Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 14.1" |
Climate warms by 10.7Β°F on the annual average β 53.1Β°F β 63.8Β°F.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Los Angeles sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LITTLE FALLS, NJ US, CULVER CITY, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Paterson | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 157,660 | 3,857,897 |
| Median household income | $53,766 | $80,366 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.5% | 24.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.17 | 2.72 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 0.9% between Paterson and Los Angeles (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Los Angeles MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New Jersey and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- Dry climate: Los Angeles sees only 14.1 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.7Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Los Angeles compared to Paterson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $952,183 in Los Angeles vs $528,882 in Paterson β a 80.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Paterson vs Los Angeles?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $80,366 in Los Angeles vs $53,766 in Paterson β a 49.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Los Angeles more expensive than Paterson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Los Angeles is 0.9% higher than Paterson (113.566 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Los Angeles compare to Paterson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Los Angeles MSA vs $59,390 in the Paterson MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Paterson to Los Angeles?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2791 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Los Angeles, CA from Paterson, NJ?
The driving distance is 2791 mi and the route typically takes 49h 43m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 12 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· Los Angeles, CA.