Moving from Elizabeth, NJ to Eugene, OR
Cross-country relocations like Elizabeth, NJ β Eugene, OR cover 2938 mi and about 52h 44m of driving through 11 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.
2938 mi Β· 52h 44m by car Β· OR β ID β UT β WY β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | OR β ID β UT β WY β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, US 189, I 84 |
| Major cities en route | Meridian, Nampa, Boise City, Salt Lake City, Lincoln |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elizabeth | Eugene | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 101.568 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 102.531 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 105.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 98.35 | 100.0 |
Eugene is 9.8% cheaper than Elizabeth overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Eugene is 9.8% below Elizabeth ($473,231 vs $534,667 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Elizabeth +3.3%, Eugene -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Elizabeth | Eugene |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 31.5" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | 40.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Elizabeth (55.5Β°F) and Eugene (53.1Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US, EUGENE MAHLON SWEET AP, OR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elizabeth | Eugene |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 177,520 |
| Median household income | $63,874 | $63,836 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 35.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.8% | 23.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.33 |
Median household incomes in Elizabeth ($63,874) and Eugene ($63,836) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Eugene MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 19,330 | $44,270 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,420 | $30,860 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 13,740 | $36,090 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 13,230 | $40,070 |
| Management Occupations | 10,540 | $93,090 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New Jersey and Oregon
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Oregon'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
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- 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 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 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
- Wildfire season peaks July through September east of the Cascades β register for county emergency alerts.
- 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 Oregon after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Elizabeth to Eugene?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2938 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Elizabeth vs Eugene?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,836 in Eugene vs $63,874 in Elizabeth β a 0.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Eugene compare to Elizabeth?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,620 in the Eugene MSA vs $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA, on total employment of 155,990 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Eugene, OR from Elizabeth, NJ?
The driving distance is 2938 mi and the route typically takes 52h 44m via I 80 and US 189. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Eugene more expensive than Elizabeth?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Eugene is 9.8% lower than Elizabeth (101.568 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Eugene compared to Elizabeth?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $473,231 in Eugene vs $534,667 in Elizabeth β a 11.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Elizabeth.
City profiles: Elizabeth, NJ Β· Eugene, OR.