Moving from Sioux Falls, SD to Paterson, NJ
The drive from Sioux Falls, SD to Paterson, NJ runs 1352 mi β about 24h 55m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1352 mi Β· 24h 55m by car Β· SD β MN β WI β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | SD β MN β WI β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 80, I 39 |
| Major cities en route | Rochester, Madison, Rockford, Elgin, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sioux Falls | Paterson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.631 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 80.7 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.472 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.605 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Major COL jump: 24.2% higher overall in Paterson vs Sioux Falls on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Paterson: 24.2% above Sioux Falls on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Sioux Falls +1.5%, Paterson +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Sioux Falls | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 7Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 28.3" | β |
Climate warms by 6.5Β°F on the annual average β 46.6Β°F β 53.1Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SIOUX FALLS WFO AP, SD US, LITTLE FALLS, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sioux Falls | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,642 | 157,660 |
| Median household income | $74,714 | $53,766 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 9.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 3.17 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 24.2% between Sioux Falls 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 South Dakota 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-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
How far is Paterson, NJ from Sioux Falls, SD?
The driving distance is 1352 mi and the route typically takes 24h 55m via I 90 and I 80. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Sioux Falls to Paterson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1352 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 Sioux Falls vs Paterson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,766 in Paterson vs $74,714 in Sioux Falls β a 28.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Paterson compare to Sioux Falls?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Paterson MSA vs $45,440 in the Sioux Falls MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 165,960 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Paterson compared to Sioux Falls?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $528,882 in Paterson vs $329,723 in Sioux Falls β a 60.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Paterson more expensive than Sioux Falls?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Paterson is 24.2% higher than Sioux Falls (112.563 vs 90.631, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Sioux Falls.
City profiles: Sioux Falls, SD Β· Paterson, NJ.