Moving from Elizabeth, NJ to Laredo, TX
It is 1964 mi and 35h 30m from Elizabeth to Laredo — 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.
1964 mi · 35h 30m by car · TX → AR → TN → VA → WV → MD → PA → NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → AR → TN → VA → WV → MD → PA → NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 35 |
| Major cities en route | San Antonio, Austin, Round Rock, Killeen, Waco |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elizabeth | Laredo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 86.956 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 80.614 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 59.746 | 100.0 |
Laredo sits 22.7% cheaper than Elizabeth on the BEA RPP, one of the larger gaps you will see between U.S. metros.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $534,667 in Elizabeth to $220,331 in Laredo, a 22.7% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Elizabeth +3.3%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Elizabeth | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 75°F |
| January avg low | 26°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 100°F |
| Annual snowfall | 31.5" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | 19.7" |
Annual average temperature jumps 19.5°F — 55.5°F in Elizabeth vs 75.0°F in Laredo, per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Laredo sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US, LAREDO 2, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elizabeth | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 255,949 |
| Median household income | $63,874 | $63,264 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 29.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.8% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 3.36 |
Household income lines up — $63,874 vs $63,264 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Laredo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 15,810 | $34,040 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,300 | $35,870 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 10,740 | $23,180 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 9,360 | $28,410 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 9,330 | $22,560 |
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 — 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Laredo average 100°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (19.5°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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
When is the best time to move from Elizabeth to Laredo?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1964 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Laredo more expensive than Elizabeth?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 22.7% lower than Elizabeth (86.956 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Elizabeth and Laredo?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.0°F in Laredo vs 55.5°F in Elizabeth (19.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 31.5 in. Annual precipitation: 19.7 in vs 46.6 in.
How does household income compare in Elizabeth vs Laredo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $63,874 in Elizabeth — a 1.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Laredo compared to Elizabeth?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $534,667 in Elizabeth — a 58.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Laredo, TX from Elizabeth, NJ?
The driving distance is 1964 mi and the route typically takes 35h 30m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Laredo compare to Elizabeth?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA, on total employment of 104,610 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 · Laredo, TX.