Moving from Jersey City, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ
Moving from Jersey City, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ is a 12 mi drive, about 19 min by car. This is a local relocation — same-day moves are typical — but cost-of-living, housing, and tax lines still shift enough to plan around. The sections below pull current figures from BEA, the Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA for a side-by-side look.
12 mi · 19 min by car · NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 78, NJTP, US 1 |
| Major cities en route | Yonkers, New York, Paterson, Newark |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Jersey City | Elizabeth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Elizabeth and Jersey City is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Elizabeth is 0.0% below Jersey City ($534,667 vs $658,269 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Jersey City -0.7%, Elizabeth +3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Jersey City | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 56°F |
| January avg low | 25°F | 26°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 28.2" | 31.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 50.4" | 46.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Jersey City (54.8°F) and Elizabeth (55.5°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Elizabeth averages 31.5 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: HARRISON, NJ US, NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Jersey City | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 135,887 |
| Median household income | $94,813 | $63,874 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.4% | 9.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.96 |
Median household income in Elizabeth is 0.0% below Jersey City ($94,813 vs $63,874, ACS 5-year 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.
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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Elizabeth averages 31.5 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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Jersey City 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 12 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Elizabeth compared to Jersey City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,667 in Elizabeth vs $658,269 in Jersey City — a 18.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Jersey City and Elizabeth?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 55.5°F in Elizabeth vs 54.8°F in Jersey City (0.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 31.5 in vs 28.2 in. Annual precipitation: 46.6 in vs 50.4 in.
How does the job market in Elizabeth compare to Jersey City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA vs $59,390 in the Jersey City MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 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 Elizabeth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,874 in Elizabeth vs $94,813 in Jersey City — a 32.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Elizabeth, NJ from Jersey City, NJ?
The driving distance is 12 mi and the route typically takes 19 min via I 78 and NJTP. The trip crosses 1 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 Jersey City.
City profiles: Jersey City, NJ · Elizabeth, NJ.