Moving from Elizabeth, NJ to Peoria, AZ
A 2449 mi cross-country move between Elizabeth and Peoria is 43h 54m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 10 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.
2449 mi · 43h 54m by car · AZ → NM → TX → OK → MO → IL → IN → OH → PA → NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ → NM → TX → OK → MO → IL → IN → OH → PA → NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 40, I 44 |
| Major cities en route | Surprise, Phoenix, Glendale, Scottsdale, Albuquerque |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elizabeth | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Expect about 8.2% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Peoria at 103.316 vs Elizabeth at 112.563.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect around 8.2% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Elizabeth +3.3%, Peoria -1.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Elizabeth | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 26°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 105°F |
| Annual snowfall | 31.5" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | 9.6" |
Annual temperature rises 14.7°F moving to Peoria per NOAA normals.
Peoria 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, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elizabeth | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 194,338 |
| Median household income | $63,874 | $93,403 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 42.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.8% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.66 |
Peoria households earn about 8.2% more than Elizabeth at the median — $63,874 → $93,403 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Peoria MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New Jersey and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close 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 Peoria average 105°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Peoria sees only 9.6 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (14.7°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Peoria, AZ from Elizabeth, NJ?
The driving distance is 2449 mi and the route typically takes 43h 54m via I 70 and I 40. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Elizabeth and Peoria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.2°F in Peoria vs 55.5°F in Elizabeth (14.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 31.5 in. Annual precipitation: 9.6 in vs 46.6 in.
How much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Elizabeth?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $488,596 in Peoria vs $534,667 in Elizabeth — a 8.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Peoria more expensive than Elizabeth?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 8.2% lower than Elizabeth (103.316 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Elizabeth to Peoria?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2449 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Elizabeth vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,403 in Peoria vs $63,874 in Elizabeth — a 46.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Peoria compare to Elizabeth?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Peoria MSA vs $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 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 · Peoria, AZ.