Moving from Elizabeth, NJ to Denton, TX
Cross-country relocations like Elizabeth, NJ β Denton, TX cover 1553 mi and about 28h 34m of driving through 8 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1553 mi Β· 28h 34m by car Β· TX β AR β TN β VA β WV β MD β PA β NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β AR β TN β VA β WV β MD β PA β NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 30 |
| Major cities en route | Irving, Lewisville, Plano, Frisco, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elizabeth | Denton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Denton are 8.4% below Elizabeth β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Denton typical home at $354,135 is 8.4% under Elizabeth at $534,667 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Elizabeth +3.3%, Denton -4.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Elizabeth | Denton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 31.5" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | 38.4" |
Climate warms by 9.9Β°F on the annual average β 55.5Β°F β 65.4Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US, DENTON 2 SE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elizabeth | Denton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 146,987 |
| Median household income | $63,874 | $73,719 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 31 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.8% | 25.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.72 |
Income steps up 8.4%: $63,874 in Elizabeth vs $73,719 in Denton.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Denton MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New Jersey and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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
- 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Denton average 96Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Denton more expensive than Elizabeth?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Denton is 8.4% lower than Elizabeth (103.09 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Denton compared to Elizabeth?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $354,135 in Denton vs $534,667 in Elizabeth β a 33.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Elizabeth vs Denton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,719 in Denton vs $63,874 in Elizabeth β a 15.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Denton, TX from Elizabeth, NJ?
The driving distance is 1553 mi and the route typically takes 28h 34m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Elizabeth to Denton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1553 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Denton compare to Elizabeth?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Denton MSA vs $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 9,495,240 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 Elizabeth.
City profiles: Elizabeth, NJ Β· Denton, TX.