Moving from Elizabeth, NJ to Glendale, CA
Cross-country relocations like Elizabeth, NJ → Glendale, CA cover 2784 mi and about 49h 44m of driving through 12 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.
2784 mi · 49h 44m by car · CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Santa Clarita, Palmdale, Torrance, Pasadena |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elizabeth | Glendale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Glendale and Elizabeth is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Glendale is 0.9% above Elizabeth — $534,667 vs $1,201,880 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Elizabeth +3.3%, Glendale -0.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Elizabeth | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 26°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 31.5" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | 16.5" |
Climate warms by 9.0°F on the annual average — 55.5°F → 64.5°F.
Glendale gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US, BURBANK VALLEY PUMP PLT, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elizabeth | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 192,270 |
| Median household income | $63,874 | $84,262 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 41.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.8% | 28.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.63 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 0.9% between Elizabeth and Glendale (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Glendale MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New Jersey and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- 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
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Glendale compared to Elizabeth?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,201,880 in Glendale vs $534,667 in Elizabeth — a 124.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Glendale more expensive than Elizabeth?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Glendale is 0.9% higher than Elizabeth (113.566 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Glendale compare to Elizabeth?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Glendale MSA vs $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Elizabeth vs Glendale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,262 in Glendale vs $63,874 in Elizabeth — a 31.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Elizabeth to Glendale?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2784 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Elizabeth and Glendale?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 64.5°F in Glendale vs 55.5°F in Elizabeth (9.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 31.5 in. Annual precipitation: 16.5 in vs 46.6 in.
How far is Glendale, CA from Elizabeth, NJ?
The driving distance is 2784 mi and the route typically takes 49h 44m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 12 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Elizabeth.
City profiles: Elizabeth, NJ · Glendale, CA.