Moving from Elizabeth, NJ to San Francisco, CA
It is 2927 mi and 52h 5m from Elizabeth to San Francisco — a cross-country move across 11 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2927 mi · 52h 5m by car · CA → NV → UT → WY → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → UT → WY → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, CA 37 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Rosa, Richmond, Vallejo, Berkeley, Oakland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elizabeth | San Francisco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Elizabeth and San Francisco sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $534,667 in Elizabeth to $1,356,662 in San Francisco, a 2.7% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Elizabeth +3.3%, San Francisco +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Elizabeth | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 56°F |
| January avg low | 26°F | 46°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 62°F |
| Annual snowfall | 31.5" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | 20.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 55.5°F vs 56.2°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: San Francisco sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US, SAN FRANCISCO OCEANSIDE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elizabeth | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 836,321 |
| Median household income | $63,874 | $141,446 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 39.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.8% | 35.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.31 |
Expect median household income to rise 2.7% — $63,874 → $141,446 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in San Francisco MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
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-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.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 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 far is San Francisco, CA from Elizabeth, NJ?
The driving distance is 2927 mi and the route typically takes 52h 5m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in San Francisco compare to Elizabeth?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the San Francisco MSA vs $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Elizabeth to San Francisco?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2927 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in San Francisco compared to Elizabeth?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,356,662 in San Francisco vs $534,667 in Elizabeth — a 153.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is San Francisco more expensive than Elizabeth?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Francisco is 2.7% higher than Elizabeth (115.613 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Elizabeth vs San Francisco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $141,446 in San Francisco vs $63,874 in Elizabeth — a 121.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Elizabeth and San Francisco?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 56.2°F in San Francisco vs 55.5°F in Elizabeth (0.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 31.5 in. Annual precipitation: 20.6 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 · San Francisco, CA.