Moving from Seattle, WA to Paterson, NJ
Moving from Seattle, WA to Paterson, NJ 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
| Seattle | Paterson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Seattle (111.133) and Paterson (112.563) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Paterson: 1.3% below Seattle on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Seattle -2.3%, Paterson +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Seattle | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | β |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US, LITTLE FALLS, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Seattle | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | 157,660 |
| Median household income | $121,984 | $53,766 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.6% | 9.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.1 | 3.17 |
Median household income in Paterson is 1.3% below Seattle ($121,984 vs $53,766, ACS 5-year 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 Washington 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
- 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.
Frequently asked
Is Paterson more expensive than Seattle?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Paterson is 1.3% higher than Seattle (112.563 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Seattle vs Paterson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,766 in Paterson vs $121,984 in Seattle β a 55.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Paterson compare to Seattle?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Paterson MSA vs $65,260 in the Seattle MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Paterson compared to Seattle?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $528,882 in Paterson vs $868,680 in Seattle β a 39.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Seattle to Paterson?
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.
How far is Paterson, NJ from Seattle, WA?
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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Seattle.
City profiles: Seattle, WA Β· Paterson, NJ.