Moving from Reno, NV to Paterson, NJ

Moving from Reno, NV to Paterson, NJ is a 2681 mi cross-country relocation β€” about 46h 44m of driving through 10 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.

2681 mi Β· 46h 44m by car Β· NV β†’ UT β†’ WY β†’ NE β†’ IA β†’ IL β†’ IN β†’ OH β†’ PA β†’ NJ

COL +11.4% Home values -6.9% Ξ” -1.4Β°F annual

Distance & route

Driving
2681 mi
Drive time
46h 44m
States
10
Fuel (25 mpg)
107 gal
Route throughNV β†’ UT β†’ WY β†’ NE β†’ IA β†’ IL β†’ IN β†’ OH β†’ PA β†’ NJ
Primary highwaysI 80, I 90, I 280
Major cities en routeSparks, Salt Lake City, West Valley City, West Jordan, Lincoln

Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.

Cost of living

RenoPatersonU.S. avg
All items (RPP)101.014112.563100.0
Rents89.274127.018100.0
Goods96.271110.261100.0
Services123.478148.616100.0

Moderate COL step-up: 11.4% pricier overall in Paterson than Reno on the 2024 BEA RPP.

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.

Housing prices

Reno β€” typical home
$567,857
Paterson β€” typical home
$528,882
Reno β€” typical rent
$1,856/mo
Paterson β€” typical rent
$2,054/mo

Zillow typical home value is 11.4% lower in Paterson than Reno as of 2026-03.

YoY change: Reno -0.4%, Paterson +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.

Climate

1991–2020 normalsRenoPaterson
Annual avg temperature55Β°F53Β°F
January avg low27Β°F22Β°F
July avg high93Β°F87Β°F
Annual snowfall29.7"β€”
Annual precipitation8.1"β€”

Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β€” 54.5Β°F vs 53.1Β°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.

Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RENO WFO, NV US, LITTLE FALLS, NJ US).

Demographics

ACS 5-year 2023RenoPaterson
Population268,959157,660
Median household income$78,448$53,766
Median age37.333.3
Bachelor's degree or higher21.4%9.5%
Avg household size2.43.17

Median household income in Paterson is 11.4% below Reno ($78,448 vs $53,766, ACS 5-year 2023).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.

Jobs & wages

Reno MSA β€” median wage
$47,540
Paterson MSA β€” median wage
$59,390
Reno MSA β€” employment
254,100
Paterson MSA β€” employment
9,495,240

Top occupations in Paterson MSA

OccupationEmploymentMedian wage
Office and Administrative Support Occupations 1,165,200 $50,760
Sales and Related Occupations 806,590 $46,160
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations 755,900 $44,800
Healthcare Support Occupations 755,280 $37,670
Business and Financial Operations Occupations 725,930 $100,940

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.

Moving between Nevada and New Jersey

Nevada income tax
no state income tax
New Jersey income tax
10.75% top marginal

State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check New Jersey'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 20–30% 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-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
  • 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 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β€” check WYDOT 511 before departure.
  • 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.

Frequently asked

How much do homes cost in Paterson compared to Reno?

Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $528,882 in Paterson vs $567,857 in Reno β€” a 6.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.

How does the job market in Paterson compare to Reno?

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Paterson MSA vs $47,540 in the Reno MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 254,100 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.

How far is Paterson, NJ from Reno, NV?

The driving distance is 2681 mi and the route typically takes 46h 44m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.

Is Paterson more expensive than Reno?

Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Paterson is 11.4% higher than Reno (112.563 vs 101.014, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.

When is the best time to move from Reno to Paterson?

Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2681 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 Reno vs Paterson?

Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,766 in Paterson vs $78,448 in Reno β€” a 31.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.

Plan the move

Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Reno.

City profiles: Reno, NV Β· Paterson, NJ.

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