Moving from Paterson, NJ to Seattle, WA
Moving from Paterson, NJ to Seattle, WA is a 2823 mi cross-country relocation β about 50h 19m of driving through 11 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.
2823 mi Β· 50h 19m by car Β· WA β ID β MT β SD β MN β WI β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β ID β MT β SD β MN β WI β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 14, SD 79 |
| Major cities en route | Tacoma, Everett, Bellevue, Kent, Renton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Paterson | Seattle | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 111.133 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 92.814 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 103.972 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 151.314 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Paterson (112.563) and Seattle (111.133) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Seattle: 1.3% above Paterson on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Paterson +5.0%, Seattle -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Paterson | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 77Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.8" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 37.8" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Seattle gets around 3.8 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LITTLE FALLS, NJ US, SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Paterson | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 157,660 | 741,440 |
| Median household income | $53,766 | $121,984 |
| Median age | 33.3 | 35.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.5% | 37.6% |
| Avg household size | 3.17 | 2.1 |
Median household income in Seattle is 1.3% above Paterson ($53,766 vs $121,984, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Seattle MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 225,240 | $54,470 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 197,190 | $97,870 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 190,190 | $48,950 |
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 171,820 | $140,760 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,750 | $40,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New Jersey and Washington
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Washington'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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
- 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
- Wildfire season east of the Cascades peaks July through September; earthquake preparedness is standard west of the mountains.
- 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 Washington after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Seattle, WA from Paterson, NJ?
The driving distance is 2823 mi and the route typically takes 50h 19m via I 90 and US 14. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Paterson vs Seattle?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $121,984 in Seattle vs $53,766 in Paterson β a 126.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Seattle more expensive than Paterson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Seattle is 1.3% lower than Paterson (111.133 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Seattle compare to Paterson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $65,260 in the Seattle MSA vs $59,390 in the Paterson MSA, on total employment of 2,079,090 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Seattle compared to Paterson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $868,680 in Seattle vs $528,882 in Paterson β a 64.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Paterson to Seattle?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2823 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· Seattle, WA.