Moving from Elizabeth, NJ to Pasadena, CA
A 2775 mi cross-country move between Elizabeth and Pasadena is 49h 31m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 12 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2775 mi · 49h 31m by car · CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Long Beach, Santa Clarita, Glendale, Palmdale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elizabeth | Pasadena | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 112.563 vs 113.566 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.9% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $534,667 to $1,209,228 moving to Pasadena.
YoY change: Elizabeth +3.3%, Pasadena -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Elizabeth | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 26°F | 46°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 31.5" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | 20.1" |
Annual temperature rises 10.5°F moving to Pasadena per NOAA normals.
Pasadena gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US, PASADENA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elizabeth | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 136,462 |
| Median household income | $63,874 | $103,778 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.8% | 30% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.39 |
Pasadena households earn about 0.9% more than Elizabeth at the median — $63,874 → $103,778 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Pasadena MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New Jersey and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.5°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to Elizabeth?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,209,228 in Pasadena vs $534,667 in Elizabeth — a 126.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Pasadena, CA from Elizabeth, NJ?
The driving distance is 2775 mi and the route typically takes 49h 31m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 12 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Elizabeth vs Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,778 in Pasadena vs $63,874 in Elizabeth — a 62.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Pasadena compare to Elizabeth?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Pasadena MSA vs $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Pasadena more expensive than Elizabeth?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pasadena is 0.9% higher than Elizabeth (113.566 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Elizabeth and Pasadena?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.0°F in Pasadena vs 55.5°F in Elizabeth (10.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 31.5 in. Annual precipitation: 20.1 in vs 46.6 in.
When is the best time to move from Elizabeth to Pasadena?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2775 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Elizabeth.
City profiles: Elizabeth, NJ · Pasadena, CA.