Moving from Santa Ana, CA to Paterson, NJ
Cross-country relocations like Santa Ana, CA β Paterson, NJ cover 2779 mi and about 49h 28m of driving through 12 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.
2779 mi Β· 49h 28m by car Β· CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Torrance |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Ana | Paterson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Paterson and Santa Ana are close on the overall BEA RPP (113.566 vs 112.563); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Paterson typical home at $528,882 is 0.9% under Santa Ana at $866,066 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Santa Ana -0.3%, Paterson +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Ana | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | β |
Climate cools by 13.0Β°F on the annual average β 66.1Β°F β 53.1Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, LITTLE FALLS, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Ana | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 311,639 | 157,660 |
| Median household income | $88,354 | $53,766 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.8% | 9.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.91 | 3.17 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 0.9% between Santa Ana and Paterson (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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (13.0Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 New Jersey after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Santa Ana vs Paterson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,766 in Paterson vs $88,354 in Santa Ana β a 39.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Paterson, NJ from Santa Ana, CA?
The driving distance is 2779 mi and the route typically takes 49h 28m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 12 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Paterson compared to Santa Ana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $528,882 in Paterson vs $866,066 in Santa Ana β a 38.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Paterson compare to Santa Ana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Paterson MSA vs $50,490 in the Santa Ana MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Paterson more expensive than Santa Ana?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Paterson is 0.9% lower than Santa Ana (112.563 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Santa Ana to Paterson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2779 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 Santa Ana.
City profiles: Santa Ana, CA Β· Paterson, NJ.