Moving from Westminster, CO to Elizabeth, NJ
A 1774 mi cross-country move between Westminster and Elizabeth is 32h 1m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 8 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.
1774 mi · 32h 1m by car · NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL → IA → NE → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL → IA → NE → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 76 |
| 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
| Westminster | Elizabeth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 6.4% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
No meaningful housing gap at the typical-home level: ZHVI $527,654 vs $534,667.
YoY change: Westminster -3.3%, Elizabeth +3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Westminster | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 56°F |
| January avg low | 19°F | 26°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 44.8" | 31.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 46.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Westminster (52.4°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: NORTHGLENN, CO US, NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Westminster | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,546 | 135,887 |
| Median household income | $96,145 | $63,874 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.8% | 9.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.96 |
Elizabeth households earn about 6.4% less than Westminster at the median — $96,145 → $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 Colorado 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.
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 much do homes cost in Elizabeth compared to Westminster?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,667 in Elizabeth vs $527,654 in Westminster — a 1.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Elizabeth compare to Westminster?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA vs $58,490 in the Westminster MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Westminster and Elizabeth?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 55.5°F in Elizabeth vs 52.4°F in Westminster (3.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 31.5 in vs 44.8 in. Annual precipitation: 46.6 in vs 14.5 in.
How far is Elizabeth, NJ from Westminster, CO?
The driving distance is 1774 mi and the route typically takes 32h 1m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Westminster vs Elizabeth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,874 in Elizabeth vs $96,145 in Westminster — a 33.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Westminster 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 1774 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Elizabeth more expensive than Westminster?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elizabeth is 6.4% higher than Westminster (112.563 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Westminster.
City profiles: Westminster, CO · Elizabeth, NJ.