Moving from Paterson, NJ to Miramar, FL
It is 1280 mi between Paterson and Miramar β roughly 24h 8m 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.
1280 mi Β· 24h 8m 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, Newark, Jersey City, New York, Elizabeth |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Paterson | Miramar | 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 |
Overall price level is comparable β 112.563 vs 114.155 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
No meaningful housing gap at the typical-home level: ZHVI $528,882 vs $518,019.
YoY change: Paterson +5.0%, Miramar -3.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Paterson | Miramar |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 77Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 59Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | β | 62.7" |
Expect 23.8Β°F warmer on average per year β plan for air conditioning and a summer-heavy wardrobe.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LITTLE FALLS, NJ US, MIAMI OPA LOCKA AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Paterson | Miramar |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 157,660 | 135,986 |
| Median household income | $53,766 | $86,109 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 39.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.5% | 22.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.17 | 3.06 |
Miramar households earn about 1.4% more than Paterson at the median β $53,766 β $86,109 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Miramar 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Miramar average 91Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Miramar averages 62.7 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (23.8Β°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 does household income compare in Paterson vs Miramar?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $86,109 in Miramar vs $53,766 in Paterson β a 60.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Miramar compare to Paterson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Miramar 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 Miramar, FL from Paterson, NJ?
The driving distance is 1280 mi and the route typically takes 24h 8m via I 95 and NJTP. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Miramar more expensive than Paterson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Miramar 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 much do homes cost in Miramar compared to Paterson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $518,019 in Miramar vs $528,882 in Paterson β a 2.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Paterson to Miramar?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1280 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· Miramar, FL.