Moving from El Paso, TX to Elizabeth, NJ
It is 2174 mi and 38h 44m from El Paso to Elizabeth — a cross-country move across 7 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.
2174 mi · 38h 44m by car · TX → AR → TN → VA → WV → PA → NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → AR → TN → VA → WV → PA → NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 20 |
| Major cities en route | Odessa, Midland, Abilene, Fort Worth, Arlington |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| El Paso | Elizabeth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.912 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.585 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.248 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Elizabeth is 25.2% above El Paso — one of the larger spreads between U.S. metros.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
25.2% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: El Paso +1.4%, Elizabeth +3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | El Paso | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 56°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 26°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.8" | 31.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 8.8" | 46.6" |
Expect 10.7°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Heavy-snow city: expect 31.5 in of snowfall annually at Elizabeth.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: EL PASO INTL AP, TX US, NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | El Paso | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 135,887 |
| Median household income | $58,734 | $63,874 |
| Median age | 34.1 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.3% | 9.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.8 | 2.96 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 25.2% higher in Elizabeth than El Paso.
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 Texas 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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Elizabeth averages 31.5 in annually vs 2.8 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (10.7°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 household income compare in El Paso vs Elizabeth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,874 in Elizabeth vs $58,734 in El Paso — a 8.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Elizabeth, NJ from El Paso, TX?
The driving distance is 2174 mi and the route typically takes 38h 44m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Elizabeth compare to El Paso?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA vs $36,000 in the El Paso MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 323,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from El Paso 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 2174 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between El Paso and Elizabeth?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 55.5°F in Elizabeth vs 66.2°F in El Paso (10.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 31.5 in vs 2.8 in. Annual precipitation: 46.6 in vs 8.8 in.
Is Elizabeth more expensive than El Paso?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elizabeth is 25.2% higher than El Paso (112.563 vs 89.912, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Elizabeth compared to El Paso?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,667 in Elizabeth vs $234,775 in El Paso — a 127.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from El Paso.
City profiles: El Paso, TX · Elizabeth, NJ.