Moving from Concord, CA to Elizabeth, NJ
Moving from Concord, CA to Elizabeth, NJ is a 2884 mi cross-country relocation β about 50h 45m of driving through 11 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.
2884 mi Β· 50h 45m by car Β· NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 90 |
| 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
| Concord | Elizabeth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Elizabeth and Concord is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Elizabeth is 2.6% below Concord β $742,769 vs $534,667 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Concord -3.4%, Elizabeth +3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Concord | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 31.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.1" | 46.6" |
Elizabeth is 6.5Β°F cooler on the annual average (62.0Β°F vs 55.5Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Elizabeth averages 31.5 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CONCORD BUCHANAN FLD, CA US, NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Concord | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,260 | 135,887 |
| Median household income | $109,195 | $63,874 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.1% | 9.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.96 |
Median household income in Elizabeth is 2.6% below Concord ($109,195 vs $63,874, ACS 5-year 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 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.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 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-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
- 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
Is Elizabeth more expensive than Concord?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elizabeth is 2.6% lower than Concord (112.563 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Concord vs Elizabeth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,874 in Elizabeth vs $109,195 in Concord β a 41.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Concord to Elizabeth?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2884 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 Concord, CA?
The driving distance is 2884 mi and the route typically takes 50h 45m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Elizabeth compared to Concord?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,667 in Elizabeth vs $742,769 in Concord β a 28.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Elizabeth compare to Concord?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA vs $72,050 in the Concord MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 2,422,210 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 Concord.
City profiles: Concord, CA Β· Elizabeth, NJ.