Moving from Des Moines, IA to Elizabeth, NJ
A move from Des Moines, IA to Elizabeth, NJ covers 1102 mi and around 20h 34m of driving through 6 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1102 mi · 20h 34m by car · IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 280 |
| Major cities en route | Cedar Rapids, Aurora, Joliet, Naperville, Chicago |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Des Moines | Elizabeth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.701 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.585 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.741 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Major COL jump: 22.8% higher overall in Elizabeth vs Des Moines on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Elizabeth: 22.8% above Des Moines on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Des Moines +0.8%, Elizabeth +3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Des Moines | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 56°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 26°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 36.5" | 31.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.6" | 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: DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US, NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Des Moines | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 135,887 |
| Median household income | $63,966 | $63,874 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 9.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.96 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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 Iowa 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.
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
Is Elizabeth more expensive than Des Moines?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elizabeth is 22.8% higher than Des Moines (112.563 vs 91.701, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Elizabeth compared to Des Moines?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,667 in Elizabeth vs $208,166 in Des Moines — a 156.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Des Moines vs Elizabeth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,874 in Elizabeth vs $63,966 in Des Moines — a 0.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Des Moines and Elizabeth?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 55.5°F in Elizabeth vs 50.9°F in Des Moines (4.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 31.5 in vs 36.5 in. Annual precipitation: 46.6 in vs 36.6 in.
When is the best time to move from Des Moines 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 1102 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Elizabeth, NJ from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance is 1102 mi and the route typically takes 20h 34m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Elizabeth compare to Des Moines?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA vs $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 383,190 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 Des Moines.
City profiles: Des Moines, IA · Elizabeth, NJ.