Moving from Bakersfield, CA to Elizabeth, NJ
Cross-country relocations like Bakersfield, CA β Elizabeth, NJ cover 2802 mi and about 50h 4m of driving through 12 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2802 mi Β· 50h 4m by car Β· CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Lakewood, Arvada |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Bakersfield | Elizabeth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.886 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.257 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 90.291 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 11.6% pricier overall in Elizabeth than Bakersfield on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Elizabeth typical home at $534,667 is 11.6% above Bakersfield at $396,047 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Bakersfield -0.3%, Elizabeth +3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Bakersfield | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 97Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 31.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 6.7" | 46.6" |
Climate cools by 9.6Β°F on the annual average β 65.1Β°F β 55.5Β°F.
Significant snow at the destination: Elizabeth sees 31.5 in a year on NOAA normals β budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BAKERSFIELD 5 NW, CA US, NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Bakersfield | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 135,887 |
| Median household income | $77,397 | $63,874 |
| Median age | 31.9 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 9.8% |
| Avg household size | 3.2 | 2.96 |
Income steps down 11.6%: $77,397 in Bakersfield vs $63,874 in Elizabeth.
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 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter 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 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in 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.
- 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Elizabeth averages 31.5 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β 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
When is the best time to move from Bakersfield to Elizabeth?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2802 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Elizabeth, NJ from Bakersfield, CA?
The driving distance is 2802 mi and the route typically takes 50h 4m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 12 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Bakersfield vs Elizabeth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,874 in Elizabeth vs $77,397 in Bakersfield β a 17.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Elizabeth more expensive than Bakersfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elizabeth is 11.6% higher than Bakersfield (112.563 vs 100.886, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Elizabeth compare to Bakersfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA vs $44,960 in the Bakersfield MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 330,270 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Elizabeth compared to Bakersfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,667 in Elizabeth vs $396,047 in Bakersfield β a 35.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Bakersfield.
City profiles: Bakersfield, CA Β· Elizabeth, NJ.