Moving from Arvada, CO to Elizabeth, NJ
It is 1779 mi and 32h 10m from Arvada to Elizabeth — 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.
1779 mi · 32h 10m by car · NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL → IA → NE → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL → IA → NE → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 76 |
| Major cities en route | New York, Newark, Jersey City, Yonkers, Paterson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Arvada | Elizabeth | 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 |
Elizabeth runs about 6.4% more expensive overall than Arvada — RPP 105.782 → 112.563.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Elizabeth run about 6.4% cheaper — ZHVI $616,566 → $534,667 (2026-03).
YoY change: Arvada -2.5%, Elizabeth +3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Arvada | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 56°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 26°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 75.5" | 31.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.1" | 46.6" |
Expect 5.2°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Elizabeth sees 31.5 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WHEAT RIDGE 2, CO US, NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arvada | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 135,887 |
| Median household income | $113,396 | $63,874 |
| Median age | 40.2 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.7% | 9.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.96 |
Expect median household income to fall 6.4% — $113,396 → $63,874 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Elizabeth 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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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 — check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Elizabeth averages 31.5 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 Elizabeth, NJ from Arvada, CO?
The driving distance is 1779 mi and the route typically takes 32h 10m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Elizabeth compare to Arvada?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA vs $58,490 in the Arvada 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 Arvada to Elizabeth?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1779 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Arvada vs Elizabeth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,874 in Elizabeth vs $113,396 in Arvada — a 43.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Elizabeth compared to Arvada?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,667 in Elizabeth vs $616,566 in Arvada — a 13.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Arvada and Elizabeth?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 55.5°F in Elizabeth vs 50.3°F in Arvada (5.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 31.5 in vs 75.5 in. Annual precipitation: 46.6 in vs 17.1 in.
Is Elizabeth more expensive than Arvada?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elizabeth is 6.4% higher than Arvada (112.563 vs 105.782, 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 Arvada.
City profiles: Arvada, CO · Elizabeth, NJ.