Moving from Paterson, NJ to Richmond, CA
Cross-country relocations like Paterson, NJ β Richmond, CA cover 2879 mi and about 50h 31m of driving through 11 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.
2879 mi Β· 50h 31m by car Β· NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 90 |
| 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 | Richmond | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Paterson (112.563) and Richmond (115.613) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing step-up: Richmond at $606,427 is 2.7% above Paterson at $528,882.
YoY change: Paterson +5.0%, Richmond -5.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Paterson | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 71Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 24.4" |
Climate warms by 5.7Β°F on the annual average β 53.1Β°F β 58.8Β°F.
Effectively snow-free year in Richmond β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LITTLE FALLS, NJ US, RICHMOND, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Paterson | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 157,660 | 115,396 |
| Median household income | $53,766 | $90,038 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.5% | 20.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.17 | 2.85 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 2.7% between Paterson and Richmond (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Richmond MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
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.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 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-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
- 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 Richmond compared to Paterson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $606,427 in Richmond vs $528,882 in Paterson β a 14.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Richmond compare to Paterson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Richmond MSA vs $59,390 in the Paterson MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Richmond more expensive than Paterson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Richmond is 2.7% higher than Paterson (115.613 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Paterson to Richmond?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2879 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 Richmond?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,038 in Richmond vs $53,766 in Paterson β a 67.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Richmond, CA from Paterson, NJ?
The driving distance is 2879 mi and the route typically takes 50h 31m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 11 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· Richmond, CA.