Moving from Inglewood, CA to Elizabeth, NJ
Cross-country relocations like Inglewood, CA β Elizabeth, NJ cover 2798 mi and about 49h 55m of driving through 12 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.
2798 mi Β· 49h 55m by car Β· NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, 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
| Inglewood | Elizabeth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Inglewood (113.566) and Elizabeth (112.563) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Elizabeth: 0.9% below Inglewood on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Inglewood +0.7%, Elizabeth +3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Inglewood | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 31.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.8" | 46.6" |
Climate cools by 9.0Β°F on the annual average β 64.5Β°F β 55.5Β°F.
Heavy-snow city: expect 31.5 in of snowfall annually at Elizabeth.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HAWTHORNE MUNI AP, CA US, NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Inglewood | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,575 | 135,887 |
| Median household income | $71,029 | $63,874 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.4% | 9.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.93 | 2.96 |
Income steps down 0.9%: $71,029 in Inglewood 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 California 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.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts 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.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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
How far is Elizabeth, NJ from Inglewood, CA?
The driving distance is 2798 mi and the route typically takes 49h 55m 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 Inglewood vs Elizabeth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,874 in Elizabeth vs $71,029 in Inglewood β a 10.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Elizabeth compare to Inglewood?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA vs $50,490 in the Inglewood MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Elizabeth compared to Inglewood?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,667 in Elizabeth vs $763,568 in Inglewood β a 30.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Elizabeth more expensive than Inglewood?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elizabeth is 0.9% lower than Inglewood (112.563 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Inglewood to Elizabeth?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2798 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Inglewood.
City profiles: Inglewood, CA Β· Elizabeth, NJ.