Moving from Elizabeth, NJ to Omaha, NE
It is 1243 mi between Elizabeth and Omaha β roughly 23h 7m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 7 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1243 mi Β· 23h 7m by car Β· NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 280 |
| Major cities en route | Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Aurora, Joliet, Naperville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elizabeth | Omaha | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 91.911 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 76.378 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 94.063 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 86.404 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 18.3% moving from Elizabeth to Omaha β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $534,667 in Elizabeth to $294,189 in Omaha, a 18.3% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Elizabeth +3.3%, Omaha +1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Elizabeth | Omaha |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 15Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 31.5" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | β |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 55.5Β°F vs 51.3Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US, OMAHA #1, NE US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elizabeth | Omaha |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 488,197 |
| Median household income | $63,874 | $72,708 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.8% | 25.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.44 |
Households in Omaha earn about 18.3% more at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Omaha MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 58,590 | $42,850 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 45,020 | $30,130 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 43,680 | $35,980 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 41,730 | $39,370 |
| Management Occupations | 37,950 | $104,990 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New Jersey and Nebraska
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Nebraska'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
- 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
- Tornado season peaks May through July β identify a safe room or interior space on day one.
- 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 Nebraska after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Omaha, NE from Elizabeth, NJ?
The driving distance is 1243 mi and the route typically takes 23h 7m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Omaha more expensive than Elizabeth?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Omaha is 18.3% lower than Elizabeth (91.911 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Omaha compare to Elizabeth?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,580 in the Omaha MSA vs $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA, on total employment of 483,970 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Elizabeth to Omaha?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1243 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 Omaha?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $72,708 in Omaha vs $63,874 in Elizabeth β a 13.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Omaha compared to Elizabeth?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $294,189 in Omaha vs $534,667 in Elizabeth β a 45.0% 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· Omaha, NE.