Moving from Gresham, OR to Elizabeth, NJ
Cross-country relocations like Gresham, OR β Elizabeth, NJ cover 2879 mi and about 50h 43m of driving through 11 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.
2879 mi Β· 50h 43m by car Β· NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β ID β OR
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β ID β OR |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 84, I 80 EXPRESS |
| 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
| Gresham | Elizabeth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.421 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.974 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.222 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.114 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 105.421 in Gresham to 112.563 in Elizabeth, a 6.8% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing step-up: Elizabeth at $534,667 is 6.8% above Gresham at $471,181.
YoY change: Gresham -0.5%, Elizabeth +3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Gresham | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 31.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.7" | 46.6" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 31.5 in of snowfall annually at Elizabeth.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PORTLAND TROUTDALE AP, OR US, NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Gresham | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,818 | 135,887 |
| Median household income | $73,608 | $63,874 |
| Median age | 37.2 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.2% | 9.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.96 |
Income steps down 6.8%: $73,608 in Gresham vs $63,874 in Elizabeth.
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 Oregon 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 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.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Elizabeth averages 31.5 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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
When is the best time to move from Gresham to Elizabeth?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2879 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Elizabeth compare to Gresham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA vs $55,940 in the Gresham MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 1,206,150 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Elizabeth more expensive than Gresham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elizabeth is 6.8% higher than Gresham (112.563 vs 105.421, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Gresham vs Elizabeth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,874 in Elizabeth vs $73,608 in Gresham β a 13.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Elizabeth compared to Gresham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,667 in Elizabeth vs $471,181 in Gresham β a 13.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Elizabeth, NJ from Gresham, OR?
The driving distance is 2879 mi and the route typically takes 50h 43m via I 80 and I 84. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Gresham.
City profiles: Gresham, OR Β· Elizabeth, NJ.