Moving from West Valley City, UT to Elizabeth, NJ
Cross-country relocations like West Valley City, UT → Elizabeth, NJ cover 2172 mi and about 38h 38m of driving through 9 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.
2172 mi · 38h 38m by car · UT → WY → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | UT → WY → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 280 |
| Major cities en route | West Jordan, Salt Lake City, Lincoln, Omaha, Des Moines |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| West Valley City | Elizabeth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.868 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 79 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.446 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.311 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 11.6% pricier overall in Elizabeth than West Valley City on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 11.6% higher in Elizabeth than West Valley City as of 2026-03.
YoY change: West Valley City +1.3%, Elizabeth +3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | West Valley City | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 56°F |
| January avg low | 24°F | 26°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 51.9" | 31.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.5" | 46.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 54.7°F vs 55.5°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Elizabeth sees 31.5 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SALT LAKE CITY INTL AP, UT US, NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Valley City | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 137,955 | 135,887 |
| Median household income | $88,604 | $63,874 |
| Median age | 30.3 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12% | 9.8% |
| Avg household size | 3.55 | 2.96 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 11.6% between West Valley City and Elizabeth (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 Utah 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
- 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 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 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
- Winter gear first: Elizabeth averages 31.5 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — 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
How far is Elizabeth, NJ from West Valley City, UT?
The driving distance is 2172 mi and the route typically takes 38h 38m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between West Valley City and Elizabeth?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 55.5°F in Elizabeth vs 54.7°F in West Valley City (0.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 31.5 in vs 51.9 in. Annual precipitation: 46.6 in vs 15.5 in.
How does the job market in Elizabeth compare to West Valley City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA vs $49,440 in the West Valley City MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 803,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from West Valley 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 2172 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in West Valley City vs Elizabeth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,874 in Elizabeth vs $88,604 in West Valley City — a 27.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Elizabeth more expensive than West Valley City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elizabeth is 11.6% higher than West Valley City (112.563 vs 100.868, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Elizabeth compared to West Valley City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,667 in Elizabeth vs $471,862 in West Valley City — a 13.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from West Valley City.
City profiles: West Valley City, UT · Elizabeth, NJ.