Moving from West Covina, CA to Paterson, NJ
Moving from West Covina, CA to Paterson, NJ is a 2761 mi cross-country relocation β about 49h 1m of driving through 12 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.
2761 mi Β· 49h 1m by car Β· NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, I 80 EXPRESS |
| Major cities en route | New York, Newark, Jersey City, Yonkers, Elizabeth |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| West Covina | 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 West Covina 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 West Covina at $852,373 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: West Covina +0.7%, Paterson +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | West Covina | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | β |
Paterson is 12.0Β°F cooler on the annual average (65.1Β°F vs 53.1Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: POMONA/FAIRPLEX, CA US, LITTLE FALLS, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Covina | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,436 | 157,660 |
| Median household income | $98,570 | $53,766 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.4% | 9.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.3 | 3.17 |
Median household income in Paterson is 0.9% below West Covina ($98,570 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 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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter 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.
- 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.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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 (12.0Β°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 far is Paterson, NJ from West Covina, CA?
The driving distance is 2761 mi and the route typically takes 49h 1m 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 West Covina?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $528,882 in Paterson vs $852,373 in West Covina β a 38.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Paterson more expensive than West Covina?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Paterson is 0.9% lower than West Covina (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 West Covina to Paterson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2761 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 West Covina vs Paterson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,766 in Paterson vs $98,570 in West Covina β a 45.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Paterson compare to West Covina?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Paterson MSA vs $50,490 in the West Covina 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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from West Covina.
City profiles: West Covina, CA Β· Paterson, NJ.