Moving from Jersey City, NJ to Goodyear, AZ
A 2481 mi cross-country move between Jersey City and Goodyear is 44h 59m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 10 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2481 mi · 44h 59m by car · NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL → MO → OK → TX → NM → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL → MO → OK → TX → NM → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 70, I 44 |
| 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 | Goodyear | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 8.2% moving from Jersey City to Goodyear — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $658,269 in Jersey City to $469,424 in Goodyear, a 8.2% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Jersey City -0.7%, Goodyear -1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Jersey City | Goodyear |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 74°F |
| January avg low | 25°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 107°F |
| Annual snowfall | 28.2" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 50.4" | 7.4" |
Annual average temperature jumps 19.1°F — 54.8°F in Jersey City vs 73.9°F in Goodyear, per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Goodyear sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: HARRISON, NJ US, LAVEEN 3 SSE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Jersey City | Goodyear |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 102,891 |
| Median household income | $94,813 | $101,814 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 40.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.4% | 22.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.87 |
Households in Goodyear earn about 8.2% more at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Goodyear MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New Jersey and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Goodyear average 107°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Goodyear sees only 7.4 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (19.1°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Goodyear more expensive than Jersey City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Goodyear is 8.2% lower than Jersey City (103.316 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Jersey City vs Goodyear?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $101,814 in Goodyear vs $94,813 in Jersey City — a 7.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Jersey City to Goodyear?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2481 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Goodyear, AZ from Jersey City, NJ?
The driving distance is 2481 mi and the route typically takes 44h 59m via I 40 and I 70. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Jersey City and Goodyear?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 73.9°F in Goodyear vs 54.8°F in Jersey City (19.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 28.2 in. Annual precipitation: 7.4 in vs 50.4 in.
How does the job market in Goodyear compare to Jersey City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Goodyear MSA vs $59,390 in the Jersey City MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Goodyear compared to Jersey City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $469,424 in Goodyear vs $658,269 in Jersey City — a 28.7% 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 · Goodyear, AZ.