Moving from Aurora, CO to Elizabeth, NJ
Moving from Aurora, CO to Elizabeth, NJ is a 1770 mi cross-country relocation β about 31h 59m of driving through 8 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1770 mi Β· 31h 59m by car Β· CO β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 76 |
| Major cities en route | Denver, Lakewood, Centennial, Thornton, Arvada |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Aurora | 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 |
BEA RPP moves from 105.782 in Aurora to 112.563 in Elizabeth, a 6.4% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing step-up: Elizabeth at $534,667 is 6.4% above Aurora at $463,081.
YoY change: Aurora -4.3%, Elizabeth +3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Aurora | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 17Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 31.5" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 46.6" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 31.5 in of snowfall annually at Elizabeth.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHERRY CREEK DAM, CO US, NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Aurora | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 135,887 |
| Median household income | $84,320 | $63,874 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.4% | 9.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.73 | 2.96 |
Median household income in Elizabeth is 6.4% below Aurora ($84,320 vs $63,874, ACS 5-year 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 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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts 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 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
How much do homes cost in Elizabeth compared to Aurora?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,667 in Elizabeth vs $463,081 in Aurora β a 15.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Aurora vs Elizabeth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,874 in Elizabeth vs $84,320 in Aurora β a 24.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Elizabeth compare to Aurora?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA vs $58,490 in the Aurora 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.
When is the best time to move from Aurora to Elizabeth?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1770 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Elizabeth more expensive than Aurora?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elizabeth is 6.4% higher than Aurora (112.563 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Elizabeth, NJ from Aurora, CO?
The driving distance is 1770 mi and the route typically takes 31h 59m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Aurora.
City profiles: Aurora, CO Β· Elizabeth, NJ.