Moving from Los Angeles, CA to Newark, NJ
Cross-country relocations like Los Angeles, CA → Newark, NJ cover 2794 mi and about 49h 49m 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.
2794 mi · 49h 49m by car · CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Clarita, Torrance, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Inglewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Los Angeles | Newark | 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 Los Angeles (113.566) and Newark (112.563) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Newark: 0.9% below Los Angeles on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Los Angeles -1.4%, Newark -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Los Angeles | Newark |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 55°F |
| January avg low | 48°F | 25°F |
| July avg high | 78°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 28.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.1" | 50.4" |
Climate cools by 9.0°F on the annual average — 63.8°F → 54.8°F.
Heavy-snow city: expect 28.2 in of snowfall annually at Newark.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: CULVER CITY, CA US, HARRISON, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Los Angeles | Newark |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 307,188 |
| Median household income | $80,366 | $48,416 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 34.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.5% | 12.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.7 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 0.9% between Los Angeles and Newark (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Newark 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 — 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains 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.
- 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.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
- 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
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Newark averages 28.2 in annually vs 0.0 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- Pack rain gear on top: Newark averages 50.4 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 does household income compare in Los Angeles vs Newark?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,416 in Newark vs $80,366 in Los Angeles — a 39.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Los Angeles and Newark?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 54.8°F in Newark vs 63.8°F in Los Angeles (9.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 28.2 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 50.4 in vs 14.1 in.
Is Newark more expensive than Los Angeles?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Newark is 0.9% lower than Los Angeles (112.563 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Newark compare to Los Angeles?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Newark MSA vs $50,490 in the Los Angeles 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 far is Newark, NJ from Los Angeles, CA?
The driving distance is 2794 mi and the route typically takes 49h 49m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 12 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Newark compared to Los Angeles?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $478,455 in Newark vs $952,183 in Los Angeles — a 49.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Los Angeles to Newark?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2794 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 Los Angeles.
City profiles: Los Angeles, CA · Newark, NJ.