Moving from Houston, TX to Elizabeth, NJ
Cross-country relocations like Houston, TX → Elizabeth, NJ 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
| Houston | Elizabeth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Elizabeth is 14.1% higher than Houston, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Elizabeth is 14.1% above Houston — $264,336 vs $534,667 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Houston -2.9%, Elizabeth +3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Houston | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 56°F |
| January avg low | 44°F | 26°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 31.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 54.1" | 46.6" |
Elizabeth runs 15.1°F colder on the annual average (70.6°F vs 55.5°F) — expect a noticeably different year.
Elizabeth averages 31.5 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: HOUSTON-PORT, TX US, NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Houston | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 135,887 |
| Median household income | $62,894 | $63,874 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 9.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 2.96 |
Median household incomes in Houston ($62,894) and Elizabeth ($63,874) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Elizabeth 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.
Moving between Texas and New Jersey
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check New Jersey'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
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Elizabeth averages 31.5 in annually vs 0.0 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (15.1°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 New Jersey after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Houston and Elizabeth?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 55.5°F in Elizabeth vs 70.6°F in Houston (15.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 31.5 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 46.6 in vs 54.1 in.
How does the job market in Elizabeth compare to Houston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA vs $46,960 in the Houston MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Elizabeth more expensive than Houston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elizabeth is 14.1% higher than Houston (112.563 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Houston to Elizabeth?
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.
How far is Elizabeth, NJ from Houston, TX?
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.
How does household income compare in Houston vs Elizabeth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,874 in Elizabeth vs $62,894 in Houston — a 1.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Elizabeth compared to Houston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,667 in Elizabeth vs $264,336 in Houston — a 102.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Houston.
City profiles: Houston, TX · Elizabeth, NJ.