Moving from Paterson, NJ to McKinney, TX
Moving from Paterson, NJ to McKinney, TX is a 1535 mi cross-country relocation β about 28h 2m of driving through 7 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1535 mi Β· 28h 2m by car Β· TX β AR β TN β VA β WV β PA β NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β AR β TN β VA β WV β PA β NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 30 |
| Major cities en route | Dallas, Plano, Irving, Frisco, Denton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Paterson | McKinney | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 112.563 to 103.09, putting McKinney roughly 8.4% below Paterson on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing drop: McKinney ZHVI at $481,963 is 8.4% below Paterson at $528,882.
YoY change: Paterson +5.0%, McKinney -6.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Paterson | McKinney |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | β | β |
McKinney runs 11.8Β°F warmer on the annual average (53.1Β°F vs 64.9Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LITTLE FALLS, NJ US, MCKINNEY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Paterson | McKinney |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 157,660 | 202,314 |
| Median household income | $53,766 | $120,273 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 36.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.5% | 34.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.17 | 2.86 |
Median household income in McKinney is 8.4% above Paterson ($53,766 vs $120,273, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in McKinney MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New Jersey and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in McKinney average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (11.8Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is McKinney, TX from Paterson, NJ?
The driving distance is 1535 mi and the route typically takes 28h 2m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Paterson vs McKinney?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $120,273 in McKinney vs $53,766 in Paterson β a 123.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Paterson to McKinney?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1535 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in McKinney compared to Paterson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $481,963 in McKinney vs $528,882 in Paterson β a 8.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in McKinney compare to Paterson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the McKinney MSA vs $59,390 in the Paterson MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is McKinney more expensive than Paterson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McKinney is 8.4% lower than Paterson (103.09 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· McKinney, TX.