Moving from Cleveland, OH to Jersey City, NJ
It is a 457 mi drive, roughly 8h 46m, between Cleveland, OH and Jersey City, NJ. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
457 mi Β· 8h 46m by car Β· OH β PA β NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β PA β NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 480, I 280 |
| Major cities en route | Akron, Paterson, Newark, Elizabeth, New York |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cleveland | Jersey City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.923 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.967 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.628 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.434 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 19.8% above Cleveland β 93.923 β 112.563 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
19.8% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Cleveland -1.9%, Jersey City -0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cleveland | Jersey City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 55Β°F |
| January avg low | 24Β°F | 25Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 28.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 33.3" | 50.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 28.2 in of snowfall annually at Jersey City.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CLEVELAND BURKE AP, OH US, HARRISON, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cleveland | Jersey City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 289,691 |
| Median household income | $39,187 | $94,813 |
| Median age | 36.3 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.5% | 29.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.18 | 2.35 |
Jersey City households earn about 19.8% more than Cleveland at the median β $39,187 β $94,813 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Jersey City 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 Ohio 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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Jersey City averages 28.2 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Pack rain gear on top: Jersey City averages 50.4 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 much do homes cost in Jersey City compared to Cleveland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $658,269 in Jersey City vs $115,537 in Cleveland β a 469.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Cleveland vs Jersey City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $94,813 in Jersey City vs $39,187 in Cleveland β a 142.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Cleveland to Jersey City?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 457 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Jersey City, NJ from Cleveland, OH?
The driving distance is 457 mi and the route typically takes 8h 46m via I 80 and I 480. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Jersey City more expensive than Cleveland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Jersey City is 19.8% higher than Cleveland (112.563 vs 93.923, 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 Cleveland.
City profiles: Cleveland, OH Β· Jersey City, NJ.