Moving from San Francisco, CA to Paterson, NJ
A 2922 mi cross-country move between San Francisco and Paterson is 51h 51m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 11 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.
2922 mi Β· 51h 51m by car Β· CA β NV β UT β WY β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β UT β WY β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, CA 37 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Rosa, Richmond, Vallejo, Berkeley, Oakland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Francisco | Paterson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
2.6% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: San Francisco +5.0%, Paterson +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Francisco | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 62Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 20.6" | β |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO OCEANSIDE, CA US, LITTLE FALLS, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Francisco | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 836,321 | 157,660 |
| Median household income | $141,446 | $53,766 |
| Median age | 39.7 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.1% | 9.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.31 | 3.17 |
Paterson households earn about 2.6% less than San Francisco at the median β $141,446 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 California 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- 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 does household income compare in San Francisco vs Paterson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,766 in Paterson vs $141,446 in San Francisco β a 62.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Paterson, NJ from San Francisco, CA?
The driving distance is 2922 mi and the route typically takes 51h 51m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from San Francisco to Paterson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2922 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Paterson more expensive than San Francisco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Paterson is 2.6% lower than San Francisco (112.563 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Paterson compared to San Francisco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $528,882 in Paterson vs $1,356,662 in San Francisco β a 61.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Paterson compare to San Francisco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Paterson MSA vs $72,050 in the San Francisco MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Francisco.
City profiles: San Francisco, CA Β· Paterson, NJ.