Moving from Westminster, CO to Paterson, NJ
It is 1766 mi and 31h 47m from Westminster to Paterson β a cross-country move across 8 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1766 mi Β· 31h 47m by car Β· NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 76 |
| Major cities en route | New York, Jersey City, Yonkers, Newark, Elizabeth |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Westminster | Paterson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 6.4% above Westminster β 105.782 β 112.563 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing stays roughly flat moving from Westminster to Paterson β $527,654 vs $528,882 (2026-03).
YoY change: Westminster -3.3%, Paterson +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Westminster | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 44.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | β |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NORTHGLENN, CO US, LITTLE FALLS, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Westminster | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,546 | 157,660 |
| Median household income | $96,145 | $53,766 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.8% | 9.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 3.17 |
Expect median household income to fall 6.4% β $96,145 β $53,766 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 Colorado 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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
Is Paterson more expensive than Westminster?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Paterson is 6.4% higher than Westminster (112.563 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Westminster vs Paterson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,766 in Paterson vs $96,145 in Westminster β a 44.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Paterson compared to Westminster?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $528,882 in Paterson vs $527,654 in Westminster β a 0.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Paterson compare to Westminster?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Paterson MSA vs $58,490 in the Westminster MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Westminster to Paterson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1766 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 Westminster, CO?
The driving distance is 1766 mi and the route typically takes 31h 47m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 8 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 Westminster.
City profiles: Westminster, CO Β· Paterson, NJ.