Moving from Bellevue, WA to Elizabeth, NJ
Cross-country relocations like Bellevue, WA → Elizabeth, NJ cover 2818 mi and about 50h 21m of driving through 11 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.
2818 mi · 50h 21m by car · WA → ID → MT → SD → MN → WI → IL → IN → OH → PA → NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | WA → ID → MT → SD → MN → WI → IL → IN → OH → PA → NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 14, SD 79 |
| Major cities en route | Seattle, Tacoma, Kent, Everett, Renton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Bellevue | Elizabeth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Bellevue (111.133) and Elizabeth (112.563) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Elizabeth: 1.3% below Bellevue on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Bellevue -2.7%, Elizabeth +3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Bellevue | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 56°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 26°F |
| July avg high | 77°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | 31.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | 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 1991–2020 (stations: SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US, NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Bellevue | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 151,199 | 135,887 |
| Median household income | $161,300 | $63,874 |
| Median age | 38.3 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.2% | 9.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.96 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 1.3% between Bellevue 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 Washington 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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March — check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms — check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards — check SD 511 November through April.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms — check MnDOT 511.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin — check 511wi.
- 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
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Elizabeth averages 31.5 in annually vs 3.8 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- 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 does household income compare in Bellevue vs Elizabeth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,874 in Elizabeth vs $161,300 in Bellevue — a 60.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Elizabeth more expensive than Bellevue?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elizabeth is 1.3% higher than Bellevue (112.563 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Elizabeth compare to Bellevue?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA vs $65,260 in the Bellevue MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Elizabeth, NJ from Bellevue, WA?
The driving distance is 2818 mi and the route typically takes 50h 21m via I 90 and US 14. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Bellevue 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 2818 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Bellevue and Elizabeth?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 55.5°F in Elizabeth vs 53.2°F in Bellevue (2.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 31.5 in vs 3.8 in. Annual precipitation: 46.6 in vs 37.8 in.
How much do homes cost in Elizabeth compared to Bellevue?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,667 in Elizabeth vs $1,516,154 in Bellevue — a 64.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Bellevue.
City profiles: Bellevue, WA · Elizabeth, NJ.