Moving from Jersey City, NJ to Denton, TX
Cross-country relocations like Jersey City, NJ β Denton, TX cover 1557 mi and about 28h 35m of driving through 8 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.
1557 mi Β· 28h 35m by car Β· NJ β PA β MD β WV β VA β TN β AR β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ β PA β MD β WV β VA β TN β AR β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 30 |
| Major cities en route | New York, Yonkers, Newark, Paterson, Elizabeth |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Jersey City | Denton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Denton are 8.4% below Jersey City β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Denton typical home at $354,135 is 8.4% under Jersey City at $658,269 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Jersey City -0.7%, Denton -4.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Jersey City | Denton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 25Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 28.2" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 50.4" | 38.4" |
Climate warms by 10.6Β°F on the annual average β 54.8Β°F β 65.4Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HARRISON, NJ US, DENTON 2 SE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Jersey City | Denton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 146,987 |
| Median household income | $94,813 | $73,719 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 31 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.4% | 25.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.72 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 8.4% between Jersey City and Denton (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Denton MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New Jersey and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Denton average 96Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.6Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Denton compared to Jersey City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $354,135 in Denton vs $658,269 in Jersey City β a 46.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Denton compare to Jersey City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Denton MSA vs $59,390 in the Jersey City MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Jersey City vs Denton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,719 in Denton vs $94,813 in Jersey City β a 22.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Denton, TX from Jersey City, NJ?
The driving distance is 1557 mi and the route typically takes 28h 35m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Denton more expensive than Jersey City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Denton is 8.4% lower than Jersey City (103.09 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Jersey City to Denton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1557 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 Jersey City.
City profiles: Jersey City, NJ Β· Denton, TX.