Moving from Elizabeth, NJ to Jersey City, NJ
Moving from Elizabeth, NJ to Jersey City, NJ is a 12 mi drive, about 19 min by car. This is a local relocation — same-day moves are typical — but cost-of-living, housing, and tax lines still shift enough to plan around. The sections below pull current figures from BEA, the Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA for a side-by-side look.
12 mi · 19 min by car · NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 78, NJTP, US 1 |
| Major cities en route | Yonkers, New York, Paterson, Newark |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elizabeth | Jersey City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Jersey City 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 Jersey City is 0.0% above Elizabeth — $534,667 vs $658,269 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Elizabeth +3.3%, Jersey City -0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Elizabeth | Jersey City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 55°F |
| January avg low | 26°F | 25°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 31.5" | 28.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | 50.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Elizabeth (55.5°F) and Jersey City (54.8°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Jersey City averages 28.2 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US, HARRISON, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elizabeth | Jersey City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 289,691 |
| Median household income | $63,874 | $94,813 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.8% | 29.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.35 |
Median household income in Jersey City is 0.0% above Elizabeth ($63,874 vs $94,813, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Jersey City MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 1,165,200 | $50,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 806,590 | $46,160 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 755,900 | $44,800 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 755,280 | $37,670 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 725,930 | $100,940 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Jersey City averages 28.2 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Pack rain gear on top: Jersey City averages 50.4 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Jersey City compare to Elizabeth?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Jersey City MSA vs $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Jersey City, NJ from Elizabeth, NJ?
The driving distance is 12 mi and the route typically takes 19 min via I 78 and NJTP. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Jersey City compared to Elizabeth?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $658,269 in Jersey City vs $534,667 in Elizabeth — a 23.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Elizabeth to Jersey City?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 12 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Elizabeth vs Jersey City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $94,813 in Jersey City vs $63,874 in Elizabeth — a 48.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Elizabeth and Jersey City?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 54.8°F in Jersey City vs 55.5°F in Elizabeth (0.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 28.2 in vs 31.5 in. Annual precipitation: 50.4 in vs 46.6 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Elizabeth.
City profiles: Elizabeth, NJ · Jersey City, NJ.