Moving from San Mateo, CA to Jersey City, NJ
It is 2919 mi and 51h 24m from San Mateo to Jersey City β a cross-country move across 11 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2919 mi Β· 51h 24m by car Β· NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 90 |
| 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
| San Mateo | Jersey City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
San Mateo and Jersey City sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,686,905 in San Mateo to $658,269 in Jersey City, a 2.6% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: San Mateo +0.6%, Jersey City -0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Mateo | Jersey City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 55Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 25Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 28.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 19.6" | 50.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 58.7Β°F vs 54.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Jersey City sees 28.2 in a year on NOAA normals β budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US, HARRISON, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Mateo | Jersey City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,555 | 289,691 |
| Median household income | $152,669 | $94,813 |
| Median age | 38 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 29.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.35 |
Expect median household income to fall 2.6% β $152,669 β $94,813 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 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-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
- Winter gear first: Jersey City averages 28.2 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Pack rain gear on top: Jersey City averages 50.4 in of annual precipitation β 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 far is Jersey City, NJ from San Mateo, CA?
The driving distance is 2919 mi and the route typically takes 51h 24m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Jersey City more expensive than San Mateo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Jersey City is 2.6% lower than San Mateo (112.563 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Jersey City compare to San Mateo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Jersey City MSA vs $72,050 in the San Mateo MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from San Mateo to Jersey City?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2919 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in San Mateo vs Jersey City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $94,813 in Jersey City vs $152,669 in San Mateo β a 37.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Jersey City compared to San Mateo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $658,269 in Jersey City vs $1,686,905 in San Mateo β a 61.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Mateo.
City profiles: San Mateo, CA Β· Jersey City, NJ.