Moving from Pasadena, CA to Jersey City, NJ
A 2778 mi cross-country move between Pasadena and Jersey City is 49h 27m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 12 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.
2778 mi · 49h 27m by car · NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL → IA → NE → CO → UT → AZ → NV → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL → IA → NE → CO → UT → AZ → NV → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, I 80 EXPRESS |
| 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
| Pasadena | Jersey City | 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 |
Pasadena and Jersey City sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,209,228 in Pasadena to $658,269 in Jersey City, a 0.9% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Pasadena -1.0%, Jersey City -0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Pasadena | Jersey City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 55°F |
| January avg low | 46°F | 25°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 28.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 20.1" | 50.4" |
Annual temperature drops 11.2°F moving to Jersey City per NOAA normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Jersey City sees 28.2 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PASADENA, CA US, HARRISON, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Pasadena | Jersey City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,462 | 289,691 |
| Median household income | $103,778 | $94,813 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30% | 29.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.35 |
Households in Jersey City earn about 0.9% less at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Jersey City 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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter 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.
- 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.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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 — Jersey City 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: Jersey City averages 50.4 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (11.2°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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
When is the best time to move from Pasadena to Jersey City?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2778 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Jersey City, NJ from Pasadena, CA?
The driving distance is 2778 mi and the route typically takes 49h 27m 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 Jersey City compared to Pasadena?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $658,269 in Jersey City vs $1,209,228 in Pasadena — a 45.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Pasadena and Jersey City?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 54.8°F in Jersey City vs 66.0°F in Pasadena (11.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 28.2 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 50.4 in vs 20.1 in.
How does the job market in Jersey City compare to Pasadena?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Jersey City MSA vs $50,490 in the Pasadena 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.
Is Jersey City more expensive than Pasadena?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Jersey City is 0.9% lower than Pasadena (112.563 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Pasadena vs Jersey City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $94,813 in Jersey City vs $103,778 in Pasadena — a 8.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Pasadena.
City profiles: Pasadena, CA · Jersey City, NJ.