Moving from Jersey City, NJ to Aurora, IL
Relocating 822 mi from Jersey City to Aurora is a 15h 29m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
822 mi · 15h 29m by car · NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 294 |
| Major cities en route | New York, Yonkers, Newark, Elizabeth, Paterson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Jersey City | Aurora | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 8.0% cheaper overall in Aurora than Jersey City on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
8.0% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Jersey City -0.7%, Aurora +2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Jersey City | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 25°F | 16°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 28.2" | 27.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 50.4" | 39.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 27.9 in of snowfall annually at Aurora.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: HARRISON, NJ US, AURORA, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Jersey City | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 179,867 |
| Median household income | $94,813 | $90,109 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 35.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.4% | 22.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.98 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 8.0% lower in Aurora than Jersey City.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Aurora MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 519,810 | $46,540 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 497,550 | $41,020 |
| Management Occupations | 405,130 | $125,280 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 386,070 | $38,490 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 368,000 | $33,540 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New Jersey and Illinois
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Illinois'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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Aurora averages 27.9 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — 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 Illinois after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Aurora compare to Jersey City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Aurora MSA vs $59,390 in the Jersey City MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Jersey City to Aurora?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 822 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Aurora more expensive than Jersey City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Aurora is 8.0% lower than Jersey City (103.595 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Jersey City and Aurora?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.2°F in Aurora vs 54.8°F in Jersey City (4.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 27.9 in vs 28.2 in. Annual precipitation: 39.5 in vs 50.4 in.
How does household income compare in Jersey City vs Aurora?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,109 in Aurora vs $94,813 in Jersey City — a 5.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Aurora, IL from Jersey City, NJ?
The driving distance is 822 mi and the route typically takes 15h 29m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Aurora compared to Jersey City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $316,958 in Aurora vs $658,269 in Jersey City — a 51.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Jersey City.
City profiles: Jersey City, NJ · Aurora, IL.