Moving from Elizabeth, NJ to Houston, TX
Cross-country relocations like Elizabeth, NJ → Houston, TX cover 1620 mi and about 30h 5m of driving through 10 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.
1620 mi · 30h 5m by car · TX → LA → MS → AL → GA → TN → VA → WV → PA → NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → LA → MS → AL → GA → TN → VA → WV → PA → NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 81, I 59, I 10 |
| Major cities en route | Sugar Land, Pasadena, Pearland, League City, Beaumont |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elizabeth | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Houston are 12.4% below Elizabeth — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Houston typical home at $264,336 is 12.4% under Elizabeth at $534,667 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Elizabeth +3.3%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Elizabeth | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 26°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 31.5" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | 54.1" |
NOAA normals show Houston running 15.1°F above Elizabeth on the annual mean.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Houston sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elizabeth | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $63,874 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.8% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.51 |
Household income lines up — $63,874 vs $62,894 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Houston MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 387,430 | $41,570 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 305,780 | $39,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 288,170 | $27,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 269,160 | $35,450 |
| Management Occupations | 268,670 | $109,460 |
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 — 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
- 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 Houston average 93°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Houston averages 54.1 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (15.1°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
How does the job market in Houston compare to Elizabeth?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 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 Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $63,874 in Elizabeth — a 1.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Elizabeth and Houston?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.6°F in Houston vs 55.5°F in Elizabeth (15.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 31.5 in. Annual precipitation: 54.1 in vs 46.6 in.
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to Elizabeth?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $534,667 in Elizabeth — a 50.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Houston, TX from Elizabeth, NJ?
The driving distance is 1620 mi and the route typically takes 30h 5m via I 81 and I 59. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Elizabeth to Houston?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1620 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Houston more expensive than Elizabeth?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 12.4% lower than Elizabeth (98.629 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Elizabeth.
City profiles: Elizabeth, NJ · Houston, TX.