Moving from Clovis, CA to Elizabeth, NJ
Moving from Clovis, CA to Elizabeth, NJ is a 2915 mi cross-country relocation — about 52h 9m of driving through 12 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.
2915 mi · 52h 9m by car · NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL → IA → NE → CO → UT → AZ → NV → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL → IA → NE → CO → UT → AZ → NV → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, I 80 EXPRESS |
| 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
| Clovis | Elizabeth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 102.158 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 161.01 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 95.725 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Elizabeth is 10.2% higher than Clovis, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values in Clovis and Elizabeth are within 5% of each other ($521,708 vs $534,667 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Clovis 0.0%, Elizabeth +3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Clovis | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 56°F |
| January avg low | 41°F | 26°F |
| July avg high | 98°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 31.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.0" | 46.6" |
Elizabeth is 9.5°F cooler on the annual average (65.0°F vs 55.5°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
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: FRESNO YOSEMITE INTL AP, CA US, NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Clovis | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,719 | 135,887 |
| Median household income | $100,360 | $63,874 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.9% | 9.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.99 | 2.96 |
Median household income in Elizabeth is 10.2% below Clovis ($100,360 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 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 — 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.
- 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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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 0.0 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
What is the climate difference between Clovis and Elizabeth?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 55.5°F in Elizabeth vs 65.0°F in Clovis (9.5°F colder). Annual snowfall: 31.5 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 46.6 in vs 11.0 in.
When is the best time to move from Clovis 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 2915 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Elizabeth more expensive than Clovis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elizabeth is 10.2% higher than Clovis (112.563 vs 102.158, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Clovis vs Elizabeth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,874 in Elizabeth vs $100,360 in Clovis — a 36.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Elizabeth, NJ from Clovis, CA?
The driving distance is 2915 mi and the route typically takes 52h 9m 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 Elizabeth compared to Clovis?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,667 in Elizabeth vs $521,708 in Clovis — a 2.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Elizabeth compare to Clovis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA vs $44,530 in the Clovis MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 408,820 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 Clovis.
City profiles: Clovis, CA · Elizabeth, NJ.