Moving from Santa Clara, CA to Elizabeth, NJ
A 2931 mi cross-country move between Santa Clara and Elizabeth is 51h 38m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 11 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2931 mi Β· 51h 38m 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, Newark, Jersey City, Yonkers, Paterson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Clara | Elizabeth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.423 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 156.659 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 211.901 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Santa Clara and Elizabeth 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 $1,782,192 in Santa Clara to $534,667 in Elizabeth, a 1.9% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Santa Clara -1.1%, Elizabeth +3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Clara | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 31.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 13.5" | 46.6" |
Annual temperature drops 5.2Β°F moving to Elizabeth per NOAA normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Elizabeth sees 31.5 in a year on NOAA normals β budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN JOSE, CA US, NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Clara | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,239 | 135,887 |
| Median household income | $173,670 | $63,874 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 9.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.96 |
Elizabeth households earn about 1.9% less than Santa Clara at the median β $173,670 β $63,874 on 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 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: Elizabeth averages 31.5 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 Santa Clara to Elizabeth?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2931 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Elizabeth more expensive than Santa Clara?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elizabeth is 1.9% higher than Santa Clara (112.563 vs 110.423, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Elizabeth compared to Santa Clara?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,667 in Elizabeth vs $1,782,192 in Santa Clara β a 70.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Elizabeth, NJ from Santa Clara, CA?
The driving distance is 2931 mi and the route typically takes 51h 38m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Santa Clara vs Elizabeth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,874 in Elizabeth vs $173,670 in Santa Clara β a 63.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Elizabeth compare to Santa Clara?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA vs $81,470 in the Santa Clara MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 1,141,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Clara.
City profiles: Santa Clara, CA Β· Elizabeth, NJ.