Moving from Elizabeth, NJ to West Valley City, UT
Cross-country relocations like Elizabeth, NJ → West Valley City, UT cover 2172 mi and about 38h 38m of driving through 9 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.
2172 mi · 38h 38m by car · UT → WY → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | UT → WY → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 280 |
| Major cities en route | West Jordan, Salt Lake City, Lincoln, Omaha, Des Moines |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elizabeth | West Valley City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 100.868 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 79 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 96.446 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 123.311 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 112.563 to 100.868, putting West Valley City roughly 10.4% below Elizabeth on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing drop: West Valley City ZHVI at $471,862 is 10.4% below Elizabeth at $534,667.
YoY change: Elizabeth +3.3%, West Valley City +1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Elizabeth | West Valley City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 55°F |
| January avg low | 26°F | 24°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 31.5" | 51.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | 15.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 51.9 in of snowfall annually at West Valley City.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US, SALT LAKE CITY INTL AP, UT US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elizabeth | West Valley City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 137,955 |
| Median household income | $63,874 | $88,604 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 30.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.8% | 12% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 3.55 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 10.4% between Elizabeth and West Valley City (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in West Valley City MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 126,170 | $43,640 |
| Management Occupations | 69,550 | $106,250 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 66,590 | $43,680 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 64,620 | $69,990 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 62,830 | $40,320 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New Jersey and Utah
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Utah'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-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 — 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
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — West Valley City averages 51.9 in annually vs 31.5 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in West Valley City average 94°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 Utah after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is West Valley City, UT from Elizabeth, NJ?
The driving distance is 2172 mi and the route typically takes 38h 38m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Elizabeth to West Valley City?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2172 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is West Valley City more expensive than Elizabeth?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in West Valley City is 10.4% lower than Elizabeth (100.868 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Elizabeth vs West Valley City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,604 in West Valley City vs $63,874 in Elizabeth — a 38.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in West Valley City compare to Elizabeth?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,440 in the West Valley City MSA vs $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA, on total employment of 803,800 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in West Valley City compared to Elizabeth?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $471,862 in West Valley City vs $534,667 in Elizabeth — a 11.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Elizabeth and West Valley City?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 54.7°F in West Valley City vs 55.5°F in Elizabeth (0.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 51.9 in vs 31.5 in. Annual precipitation: 15.5 in vs 46.6 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Elizabeth.
City profiles: Elizabeth, NJ · West Valley City, UT.