Moving from Salt Lake City, UT to Paterson, NJ
A 2165 mi cross-country move between Salt Lake City and Paterson is 38h 19m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 9 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.
2165 mi Β· 38h 19m by car Β· UT β WY β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | UT β WY β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 280 |
| Major cities en route | West Valley City, West Jordan, Lincoln, Omaha, Des Moines |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Salt Lake City | Paterson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.868 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 79 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.446 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.311 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 11.6% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect around 11.6% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Salt Lake City +1.6%, Paterson +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Salt Lake City | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 28Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.7" | β |
Annual average temperatures in Salt Lake City (55.8Β°F) and Paterson (53.1Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SALT LAKE TRIAD CTR, UT US, LITTLE FALLS, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Salt Lake City | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 203,888 | 157,660 |
| Median household income | $74,925 | $53,766 |
| Median age | 33 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.9% | 9.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 3.17 |
Paterson households earn about 11.6% less than Salt Lake City at the median β $74,925 β $53,766 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Paterson MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median 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 Utah and New Jersey
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 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
- 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 does household income compare in Salt Lake City vs Paterson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,766 in Paterson vs $74,925 in Salt Lake City β a 28.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Paterson more expensive than Salt Lake City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Paterson is 11.6% higher than Salt Lake City (112.563 vs 100.868, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Paterson compare to Salt Lake City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Paterson MSA vs $49,440 in the Salt Lake City MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 803,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Paterson compared to Salt Lake City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $528,882 in Paterson vs $573,181 in Salt Lake City β a 7.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Paterson, NJ from Salt Lake City, UT?
The driving distance is 2165 mi and the route typically takes 38h 19m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Salt Lake City to Paterson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2165 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 Salt Lake City.
City profiles: Salt Lake City, UT Β· Paterson, NJ.