Moving from Elizabeth, NJ to Atlanta, GA
It is 850 mi between Elizabeth and Atlanta β roughly 16h 35m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 8 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
850 mi Β· 16h 35m by car Β· GA β SC β NC β VA β DC β MD β DE β NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | GA β SC β NC β VA β DC β MD β DE β NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 85, I 95, NJTP |
| Major cities en route | South Fulton, Sandy Springs, Charlotte, Concord, Winston Salem |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elizabeth | Atlanta | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 100.058 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 96.239 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 100.416 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 111.022 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 11.1% cheaper overall in Atlanta than Elizabeth on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
11.1% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Elizabeth +3.3%, Atlanta -3.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Elizabeth | Atlanta |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 31.5" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | 48.1" |
Annual temperature rises 6.8Β°F moving to Atlanta per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US, ATLANTA FULTON CO AP, GA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elizabeth | Atlanta |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 499,287 |
| Median household income | $63,874 | $81,938 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.8% | 32.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.16 |
Atlanta households earn about 11.1% more than Elizabeth at the median β $63,874 β $81,938 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Atlanta MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 350,210 | $43,410 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 317,700 | $40,250 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 275,750 | $35,560 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 257,700 | $79,020 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 242,360 | $28,720 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New Jersey and Georgia
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Georgia'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
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Atlanta average 90Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tropical storms are possible August through October on the Atlantic coast.
- 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 Georgia after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Atlanta compared to Elizabeth?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $385,599 in Atlanta vs $534,667 in Elizabeth β a 27.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Atlanta, GA from Elizabeth, NJ?
The driving distance is 850 mi and the route typically takes 16h 35m via I 85 and I 95. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Atlanta compare to Elizabeth?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,370 in the Atlanta MSA vs $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA, on total employment of 2,817,660 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Atlanta more expensive than Elizabeth?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Atlanta is 11.1% lower than Elizabeth (100.058 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Elizabeth vs Atlanta?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,938 in Atlanta vs $63,874 in Elizabeth β a 28.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Elizabeth to Atlanta?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 850 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Elizabeth.
City profiles: Elizabeth, NJ Β· Atlanta, GA.