Moving from Paterson, NJ to Rialto, CA
A 2734 mi cross-country move between Paterson and Rialto is 48h 34m 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.
2734 mi Β· 48h 34m 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 | Rialto | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 5.4% moving from Paterson to Rialto β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Rialto run about 5.4% pricier β ZHVI $528,882 β $588,566 (2026-03).
YoY change: Paterson +5.0%, Rialto -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Paterson | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 9.9" |
Annual temperature rises 13.5Β°F moving to Rialto per NOAA normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Rialto sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LITTLE FALLS, NJ US, RIVERSIDE CITRUS EXP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Paterson | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 157,660 | 103,866 |
| Median household income | $53,766 | $85,521 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 31.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.5% | 9.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.17 | 3.87 |
Rialto households earn about 5.4% more than Paterson at the median β $53,766 β $85,521 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Rialto MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Rialto average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Rialto sees only 9.9 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 (13.5Β°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 Rialto compared to Paterson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $588,566 in Rialto vs $528,882 in Paterson β a 11.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Rialto, CA from Paterson, NJ?
The driving distance is 2734 mi and the route typically takes 48h 34m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 12 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Rialto more expensive than Paterson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rialto is 5.4% lower than Paterson (106.442 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Paterson vs Rialto?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,521 in Rialto vs $53,766 in Paterson β a 59.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Rialto compare to Paterson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Rialto MSA vs $59,390 in the Paterson MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 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 Rialto?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2734 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· Rialto, CA.