Moving from Goodyear, AZ to Elizabeth, NJ
A 2490 mi cross-country move between Goodyear and Elizabeth is 44h 54m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 11 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.
2490 mi · 44h 54m by car · NJ → PA → WV → OH → IN → IL → MO → OK → TX → NM → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ → PA → WV → OH → IN → IL → MO → OK → TX → NM → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 70, I 44 |
| Major cities en route | New York, Newark, Jersey City, Yonkers, Paterson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Goodyear | Elizabeth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 9.0% above Goodyear — 103.316 → 112.563 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 9.0% above Goodyear — $469,424 → $534,667 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Goodyear -1.2%, Elizabeth +3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Goodyear | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74°F | 56°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 26°F |
| July avg high | 107°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 31.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 7.4" | 46.6" |
Annual average temperature gap of 18.4°F — a meaningful climate change across the move.
Heavy-snow city: expect 31.5 in of snowfall annually at Elizabeth.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LAVEEN 3 SSE, AZ US, NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Goodyear | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,891 | 135,887 |
| Median household income | $101,814 | $63,874 |
| Median age | 40.8 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.2% | 9.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.87 | 2.96 |
Elizabeth households earn about 9.0% less than Goodyear at the median — $101,814 → $63,874 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Elizabeth MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 1,165,200 | $50,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 806,590 | $46,160 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 755,900 | $44,800 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 755,280 | $37,670 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 725,930 | $100,940 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Arizona and New Jersey
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check New Jersey'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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close 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.
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 — Elizabeth averages 31.5 in annually vs 0.0 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (18.4°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 New Jersey after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Elizabeth more expensive than Goodyear?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elizabeth is 9.0% higher than Goodyear (112.563 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Goodyear to Elizabeth?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2490 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Elizabeth, NJ from Goodyear, AZ?
The driving distance is 2490 mi and the route typically takes 44h 54m via I 40 and I 70. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Elizabeth compared to Goodyear?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,667 in Elizabeth vs $469,424 in Goodyear — a 13.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Goodyear and Elizabeth?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 55.5°F in Elizabeth vs 73.9°F in Goodyear (18.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 31.5 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 46.6 in vs 7.4 in.
How does household income compare in Goodyear vs Elizabeth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,874 in Elizabeth vs $101,814 in Goodyear — a 37.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Elizabeth compare to Goodyear?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA vs $48,600 in the Goodyear MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 2,289,130 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 Goodyear.
City profiles: Goodyear, AZ · Elizabeth, NJ.