Moving from St. Paul, MN to Paterson, NJ
It is 1178 mi between St. Paul and Paterson β roughly 21h 49m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 7 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1178 mi Β· 21h 49m by car Β· MN β WI β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | MN β WI β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 94 |
| Major cities en route | Minneapolis, Madison, Rockford, Aurora, Elgin |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Paul | Paterson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.822 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.493 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.065 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.838 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 7.4% above St. Paul β 104.822 β 112.563 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Paul β, Paterson +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | St. Paul | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 9Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 29.2" | β |
Annual temperature rises 6.6Β°F moving to Paterson per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST PAUL DOWNTOWN AP, MN US, LITTLE FALLS, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Paul | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,762 | 157,660 |
| Median household income | $73,055 | $53,766 |
| Median age | 33.5 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.2% | 9.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 3.17 |
Paterson households earn about 7.4% less than St. Paul at the median β $73,055 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 Minnesota 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-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 does the job market in Paterson compare to St. Paul?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Paterson MSA vs $54,850 in the St. Paul MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 1,911,030 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Paterson more expensive than St. Paul?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Paterson is 7.4% higher than St. Paul (112.563 vs 104.822, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Paterson, NJ from St. Paul, MN?
The driving distance is 1178 mi and the route typically takes 21h 49m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in St. Paul vs Paterson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,766 in Paterson vs $73,055 in St. Paul β a 26.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from St. Paul to Paterson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1178 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 St. Paul.
City profiles: St. Paul, MN Β· Paterson, NJ.