Moving from Elizabeth, NJ to Fort Worth, TX
Cross-country relocations like Elizabeth, NJ β Fort Worth, TX cover 1572 mi and about 28h 42m of driving through 8 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1572 mi Β· 28h 42m by car Β· TX β AR β TN β VA β WV β MD β PA β NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β AR β TN β VA β WV β MD β PA β NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 30 |
| Major cities en route | Arlington, Irving, Grand Prairie, Carrollton, Lewisville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elizabeth | Fort Worth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Fort Worth are 8.4% 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
Housing gap is large: Fort Worth typical home at $298,051 is 8.4% under Elizabeth at $534,667 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Elizabeth +3.3%, Fort Worth -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Elizabeth | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 31.5" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | β |
Climate warms by 12.0Β°F on the annual average β 55.5Β°F β 67.5Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US, FT WORTH MEACHAM FLD NAAF, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elizabeth | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 941,311 |
| Median household income | $63,874 | $76,602 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.8% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.82 |
Income steps up 8.4%: $63,874 in Elizabeth vs $76,602 in Fort Worth.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fort Worth MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New Jersey and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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 the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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 Fort Worth average 97Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.0Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Fort Worth more expensive than Elizabeth?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Worth is 8.4% lower than Elizabeth (103.09 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 Fort Worth?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1572 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Fort Worth compare to Elizabeth?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Fort Worth MSA vs $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Fort Worth, TX from Elizabeth, NJ?
The driving distance is 1572 mi and the route typically takes 28h 42m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Elizabeth vs Fort Worth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,602 in Fort Worth vs $63,874 in Elizabeth β a 19.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Fort Worth compared to Elizabeth?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $298,051 in Fort Worth vs $534,667 in Elizabeth β a 44.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Elizabeth.
City profiles: Elizabeth, NJ Β· Fort Worth, TX.