Moving from Elizabeth, NJ to Raleigh, NC
It is a 471 mi drive, roughly 9h 35m, between Elizabeth, NJ and Raleigh, NC. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
471 mi · 9h 35m by car · NC → VA → DC → MD → DE → NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | NC → VA → DC → MD → DE → NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, I 85, NJTP |
| Major cities en route | Durham, Cary, Richmond, Alexandria, Baltimore |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elizabeth | Raleigh | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 98.157 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 88.96 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 96.621 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 103.476 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 12.8% cheaper overall in Raleigh than Elizabeth on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 12.8% under Elizabeth — $534,667 → $433,996 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Elizabeth +3.3%, Raleigh -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Elizabeth | Raleigh |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 26°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 31.5" | 4.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | 49.4" |
Annual temperature rises 5.6°F moving to Raleigh per NOAA normals.
Light snow year: Raleigh gets around 4.5 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US, RALEIGH STATE UNIV, NC US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elizabeth | Raleigh |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 470,763 |
| Median household income | $63,874 | $82,424 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.8% | 32.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.39 |
Raleigh households earn about 12.8% more than Elizabeth at the median — $63,874 → $82,424 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Raleigh MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 82,880 | $43,660 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 75,400 | $39,140 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 60,210 | $28,910 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 57,420 | $35,780 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 56,150 | $79,300 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New Jersey and North Carolina
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check North Carolina'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 Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in 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 Raleigh average 91°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Atlantic hurricane season runs August through October, particularly on the Outer Banks.
- 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 North Carolina after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Elizabeth vs Raleigh?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $82,424 in Raleigh vs $63,874 in Elizabeth — a 29.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Raleigh compared to Elizabeth?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $433,996 in Raleigh vs $534,667 in Elizabeth — a 18.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Raleigh compare to Elizabeth?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,800 in the Raleigh MSA vs $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA, on total employment of 702,580 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Raleigh, NC from Elizabeth, NJ?
The driving distance is 471 mi and the route typically takes 9h 35m via I 95 and I 85. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Elizabeth to Raleigh?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 471 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 Raleigh?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 61.1°F in Raleigh vs 55.5°F in Elizabeth (5.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 4.5 in vs 31.5 in. Annual precipitation: 49.4 in vs 46.6 in.
Is Raleigh more expensive than Elizabeth?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Raleigh is 12.8% lower than Elizabeth (98.157 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 · Raleigh, NC.