Moving from Bakersfield, CA to Jersey City, NJ
Cross-country relocations like Bakersfield, CA β Jersey City, NJ cover 2805 mi and about 50h 5m of driving through 12 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.
2805 mi Β· 50h 5m by car Β· CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Victorville, Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Lakewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Bakersfield | Jersey City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.886 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.257 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 90.291 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Jersey City is 11.6% higher than Bakersfield, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Jersey City is 11.6% above Bakersfield β $396,047 vs $658,269 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Bakersfield -0.3%, Jersey City -0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Bakersfield | Jersey City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 55Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 25Β°F |
| July avg high | 97Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 28.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 6.7" | 50.4" |
Climate cools by 10.3Β°F on the annual average β 65.1Β°F β 54.8Β°F.
Jersey City averages 28.2 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BAKERSFIELD 5 NW, CA US, HARRISON, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Bakersfield | Jersey City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 289,691 |
| Median household income | $77,397 | $94,813 |
| Median age | 31.9 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 29.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.2 | 2.35 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 11.6% between Bakersfield and Jersey City (ACS 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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.
- 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: 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (10.3Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Bakersfield 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 2805 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 Bakersfield vs Jersey City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $94,813 in Jersey City vs $77,397 in Bakersfield β a 22.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Jersey City more expensive than Bakersfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Jersey City is 11.6% higher than Bakersfield (112.563 vs 100.886, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Jersey City, NJ from Bakersfield, CA?
The driving distance is 2805 mi and the route typically takes 50h 5m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 12 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Jersey City compared to Bakersfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $658,269 in Jersey City vs $396,047 in Bakersfield β a 66.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Jersey City compare to Bakersfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Jersey City MSA vs $44,960 in the Bakersfield MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 330,270 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 Bakersfield.
City profiles: Bakersfield, CA Β· Jersey City, NJ.