Moving from Denver, CO to Elizabeth, NJ
Moving from Denver, CO to Elizabeth, NJ is a 1769 mi cross-country relocation — about 32h 2m 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.
1769 mi · 32h 2m by car · CO → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 76 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Centennial, Lakewood, Arvada, Westminster |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Denver | 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 Denver to 112.563 in Elizabeth, a 6.4% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Home prices line up — $539,666 vs $534,667 on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Denver -4.3%, Elizabeth +3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Denver | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 56°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 26°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.0" | 31.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.4" | 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: DENVER-STAPLETON, CO US, NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Denver | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 135,887 |
| Median household income | $91,681 | $63,874 |
| Median age | 35.2 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.8% | 9.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.17 | 2.96 |
Median household income in Elizabeth is 6.4% below Denver ($91,681 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 — 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
- 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.
- 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 — 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
What is the climate difference between Denver and Elizabeth?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 55.5°F in Elizabeth vs 51.4°F in Denver (4.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 31.5 in vs 49.0 in. Annual precipitation: 46.6 in vs 15.4 in.
How much do homes cost in Elizabeth compared to Denver?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,667 in Elizabeth vs $539,666 in Denver — a 0.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Denver 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 1769 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Elizabeth, NJ from Denver, CO?
The driving distance is 1769 mi and the route typically takes 32h 2m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Elizabeth more expensive than Denver?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elizabeth is 6.4% higher than Denver (112.563 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Elizabeth compare to Denver?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA vs $58,490 in the Denver 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.
How does household income compare in Denver vs Elizabeth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,874 in Elizabeth vs $91,681 in Denver — a 30.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Denver.
City profiles: Denver, CO · Elizabeth, NJ.