Moving from Elizabeth, NJ to Aurora, CO
Moving from Elizabeth, NJ to Aurora, CO is a 1770 mi cross-country relocation β about 31h 59m 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.
1770 mi Β· 31h 59m by car Β· CO β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 76 |
| Major cities en route | Denver, Lakewood, Centennial, Thornton, Arvada |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elizabeth | Aurora | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Aurora are 6.0% below Elizabeth β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 6.0% lower in Aurora than Elizabeth as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Elizabeth +3.3%, Aurora -4.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Elizabeth | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 17Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 31.5" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | β |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 55.5Β°F vs 50.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US, CHERRY CREEK DAM, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elizabeth | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 390,201 |
| Median household income | $63,874 | $84,320 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.8% | 21.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.73 |
Median household income in Aurora is 6.0% above Elizabeth ($63,874 vs $84,320, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Aurora MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 173,910 | $49,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 172,890 | $48,280 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 164,250 | $84,370 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 140,150 | $36,010 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 129,510 | $45,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New Jersey and Colorado
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Colorado'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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Aurora average 90Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Aurora more expensive than Elizabeth?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Aurora is 6.0% lower than Elizabeth (105.782 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Elizabeth to Aurora?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1770 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Aurora, CO from Elizabeth, NJ?
The driving distance is 1770 mi and the route typically takes 31h 59m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Aurora compare to Elizabeth?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Aurora MSA vs $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Aurora compared to Elizabeth?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $463,081 in Aurora vs $534,667 in Elizabeth β a 13.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Elizabeth vs Aurora?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,320 in Aurora vs $63,874 in Elizabeth β a 32.0% higher 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 Elizabeth.
City profiles: Elizabeth, NJ Β· Aurora, CO.