Moving from Oklahoma City, OK to Elizabeth, NJ
A move from Oklahoma City, OK to Elizabeth, NJ covers 1454 mi and around 26h 58m of driving through 7 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1454 mi · 26h 58m by car · OK → MO → IL → IN → OH → PA → NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → MO → IL → IN → OH → PA → NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 44, I 76 |
| Major cities en route | Norman, Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Springfield, St Louis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Oklahoma City | Elizabeth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.408 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.067 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.885 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Overall price level in Elizabeth runs 24.5% higher than Oklahoma City — a substantial step-up on the BEA Regional Price Parity (90.408 → 112.563, 2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Elizabeth is 24.5% above Oklahoma City — $206,713 vs $534,667 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Oklahoma City -0.3%, Elizabeth +3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Oklahoma City | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 56°F |
| January avg low | 27°F | 26°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 6.7" | 31.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.4" | 46.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Oklahoma City (60.1°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: OKLAHOMA CITY WILL ROGERS AP, OK US, NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Oklahoma City | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 688,693 | 135,887 |
| Median household income | $66,702 | $63,874 |
| Median age | 35 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.5% | 9.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.96 |
Median household incomes in Oklahoma City ($66,702) and Elizabeth ($63,874) are within a few percent (ACS 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.
Moving between Oklahoma 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
- 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 — Elizabeth averages 31.5 in annually vs 6.7 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- 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 the job market in Elizabeth compare to Oklahoma City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA vs $44,030 in the Oklahoma City MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 656,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Oklahoma City and Elizabeth?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 55.5°F in Elizabeth vs 60.1°F in Oklahoma City (4.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 31.5 in vs 6.7 in. Annual precipitation: 46.6 in vs 36.4 in.
How far is Elizabeth, NJ from Oklahoma City, OK?
The driving distance is 1454 mi and the route typically takes 26h 58m via I 70 and I 44. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Oklahoma 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 1454 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Elizabeth more expensive than Oklahoma City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elizabeth is 24.5% higher than Oklahoma City (112.563 vs 90.408, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Oklahoma City vs Elizabeth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,874 in Elizabeth vs $66,702 in Oklahoma City — a 4.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Elizabeth compared to Oklahoma City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,667 in Elizabeth vs $206,713 in Oklahoma City — a 158.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Oklahoma City.
City profiles: Oklahoma City, OK · Elizabeth, NJ.