Moving from Paterson, NJ to Pasadena, CA
A 2770 mi cross-country move between Paterson and Pasadena is 49h 14m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 12 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2770 mi Β· 49h 14m by car Β· NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, I 80 EXPRESS |
| Major cities en route | New York, Newark, Jersey City, Yonkers, Elizabeth |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Paterson | Pasadena | 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 |
Overall price level is comparable β 112.563 vs 113.566 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
Expect roughly 0.9% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $528,882 to $1,209,228 moving to Pasadena.
YoY change: Paterson +5.0%, Pasadena -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Paterson | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 20.1" |
Annual temperature rises 12.9Β°F moving to Pasadena per NOAA normals.
Pasadena gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LITTLE FALLS, NJ US, PASADENA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Paterson | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 157,660 | 136,462 |
| Median household income | $53,766 | $103,778 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.5% | 30% |
| Avg household size | 3.17 | 2.39 |
Pasadena households earn about 0.9% more than Paterson at the median β $53,766 β $103,778 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Pasadena 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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter 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.
- 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.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.9Β°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 does the job market in Pasadena compare to Paterson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Pasadena 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.
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to Paterson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,209,228 in Pasadena vs $528,882 in Paterson β a 128.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Paterson to Pasadena?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2770 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Paterson vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,778 in Pasadena vs $53,766 in Paterson β a 93.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Pasadena more expensive than Paterson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pasadena 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 far is Pasadena, CA from Paterson, NJ?
The driving distance is 2770 mi and the route typically takes 49h 14m 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· Pasadena, CA.