Moving from Elizabeth, NJ to Arvada, CO
It is 1779 mi and 32h 10m from Elizabeth to Arvada — a cross-country move across 8 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.
1779 mi · 32h 10m by car · NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL → IA → NE → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL → IA → NE → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 76 |
| 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
| Elizabeth | Arvada | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 6.0% moving from Elizabeth to Arvada — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Arvada run about 6.0% pricier — ZHVI $534,667 → $616,566 (2026-03).
YoY change: Elizabeth +3.3%, Arvada -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Elizabeth | Arvada |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 26°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 88°F |
| Annual snowfall | 31.5" | 75.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | 17.1" |
Expect 5.2°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Arvada sees 75.5 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US, WHEAT RIDGE 2, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elizabeth | Arvada |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 122,835 |
| Median household income | $63,874 | $113,396 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 40.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.8% | 31.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.47 |
Expect median household income to rise 6.0% — $63,874 → $113,396 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Arvada MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 173,910 | $49,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 172,890 | $48,280 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 164,250 | $84,370 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 140,150 | $36,010 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 129,510 | $45,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New Jersey and Colorado
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Colorado'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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- 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.
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 — Arvada averages 75.5 in annually vs 31.5 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- 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 Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Arvada compare to Elizabeth?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Arvada MSA vs $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Arvada compared to Elizabeth?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $616,566 in Arvada vs $534,667 in Elizabeth — a 15.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Arvada, CO from Elizabeth, NJ?
The driving distance is 1779 mi and the route typically takes 32h 10m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Elizabeth and Arvada?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.3°F in Arvada vs 55.5°F in Elizabeth (5.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 75.5 in vs 31.5 in. Annual precipitation: 17.1 in vs 46.6 in.
Is Arvada more expensive than Elizabeth?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Arvada is 6.0% lower than Elizabeth (105.782 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Elizabeth to Arvada?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1779 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Elizabeth vs Arvada?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,396 in Arvada vs $63,874 in Elizabeth — a 77.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Elizabeth.
City profiles: Elizabeth, NJ · Arvada, CO.