Moving from Elizabeth, NJ to Tacoma, WA
It is 2840 mi and 50h 50m from Elizabeth to Tacoma β 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.
2840 mi Β· 50h 50m by car Β· WA β ID β MT β SD β MN β WI β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β ID β MT β SD β MN β WI β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 14, SD 79 |
| Major cities en route | Kent, Seattle, Bellevue, Renton, Spokane |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elizabeth | Tacoma | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 111.133 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 92.814 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 103.972 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 151.314 | 100.0 |
Elizabeth and Tacoma sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Tacoma run about 1.3% cheaper β ZHVI $534,667 β $493,840 (2026-03).
YoY change: Elizabeth +3.3%, Tacoma -0.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Elizabeth | Tacoma |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 54Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 77Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 31.5" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | 40.8" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 55.5Β°F vs 53.7Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US, TACOMA #1, WA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elizabeth | Tacoma |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 220,482 |
| Median household income | $63,874 | $83,857 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 37.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.8% | 21% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.41 |
Expect median household income to rise 1.3% β $63,874 β $83,857 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tacoma MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 225,240 | $54,470 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 197,190 | $97,870 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 190,190 | $48,950 |
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 171,820 | $140,760 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,750 | $40,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New Jersey and Washington
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Washington'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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
- 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 east of the Cascades peaks July through September; earthquake preparedness is standard west of the mountains.
- 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 Washington after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Tacoma more expensive than Elizabeth?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tacoma is 1.3% lower than Elizabeth (111.133 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Tacoma compare to Elizabeth?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $65,260 in the Tacoma MSA vs $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA, on total employment of 2,079,090 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 Tacoma?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,857 in Tacoma vs $63,874 in Elizabeth β a 31.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Tacoma, WA from Elizabeth, NJ?
The driving distance is 2840 mi and the route typically takes 50h 50m via I 90 and US 14. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Elizabeth to Tacoma?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2840 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Tacoma compared to Elizabeth?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $493,840 in Tacoma vs $534,667 in Elizabeth β a 7.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Elizabeth.
City profiles: Elizabeth, NJ Β· Tacoma, WA.