Moving from Denver, CO to Jersey City, NJ
Moving from Denver, CO to Jersey City, NJ is a 1772 mi cross-country relocation — about 32h 4m of driving through 8 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.
1772 mi · 32h 4m by car · CO → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 76 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Centennial, Lakewood, Arvada, Westminster |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Denver | Jersey City | 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 cost of living in Jersey City is 6.4% higher than Denver, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Jersey City is 6.4% above Denver — $539,666 vs $658,269 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Denver -4.3%, Jersey City -0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Denver | Jersey City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 55°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 25°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.0" | 28.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.4" | 50.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Denver (51.4°F) and Jersey City (54.8°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Jersey City averages 28.2 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DENVER-STAPLETON, CO US, HARRISON, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Denver | Jersey City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 289,691 |
| Median household income | $91,681 | $94,813 |
| Median age | 35.2 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.8% | 29.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.17 | 2.35 |
Median household incomes in Denver ($91,681) and Jersey City ($94,813) are within a few percent (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 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
- 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.
- 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 — 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 — 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 does the job market in Jersey City compare to Denver?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Jersey City MSA vs $58,490 in the Denver 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 Denver to Jersey City?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1772 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Jersey City more expensive than Denver?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Jersey City is 6.4% higher than Denver (112.563 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Denver and Jersey City?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 54.8°F in Jersey City vs 51.4°F in Denver (3.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 28.2 in vs 49.0 in. Annual precipitation: 50.4 in vs 15.4 in.
How much do homes cost in Jersey City compared to Denver?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $658,269 in Jersey City vs $539,666 in Denver — a 22.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Denver vs Jersey City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $94,813 in Jersey City vs $91,681 in Denver — a 3.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Jersey City, NJ from Denver, CO?
The driving distance is 1772 mi and the route typically takes 32h 4m via I 80 and I 90. 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 Denver.
City profiles: Denver, CO · Jersey City, NJ.