Moving from St. Louis, MO to Paterson, NJ
A move from St. Louis, MO to Paterson, NJ covers 968 mi and around 18h 7m of driving through 6 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
968 mi Β· 18h 7m by car Β· MO β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | MO β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 80, I 71 |
| Major cities en route | Dayton, Columbus, Akron, Elizabeth, Newark |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Louis | Paterson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.088 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 69.921 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.996 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.024 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 95.088 in St. Louis to 112.563 in Paterson, a 18.4% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Louis β, Paterson +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | St. Louis | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 25Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 43.9" | β |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US, LITTLE FALLS, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Louis | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 157,660 |
| Median household income | $55,279 | $53,766 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22% | 9.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.03 | 3.17 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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 Missouri 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
- 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 St. Louis, MO?
The driving distance is 968 mi and the route typically takes 18h 7m via I 70 and I 80. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from St. Louis to Paterson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 968 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Paterson compare to St. Louis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Paterson MSA vs $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 1,325,480 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Paterson more expensive than St. Louis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Paterson is 18.4% higher than St. Louis (112.563 vs 95.088, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in St. Louis vs Paterson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,766 in Paterson vs $55,279 in St. Louis β a 2.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from St. Louis.
City profiles: St. Louis, MO Β· Paterson, NJ.