Moving from Irvine, CA to Elizabeth, NJ
It is 2782 mi and 49h 44m from Irvine to Elizabeth — 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.
2782 mi · 49h 44m by car · CA → NV → UT → CO → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → UT → CO → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Santa Ana, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Orange |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Irvine | Elizabeth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Irvine and Elizabeth 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 drops from $1,557,982 in Irvine to $534,667 in Elizabeth, a 0.9% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Irvine -0.8%, Elizabeth +3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Irvine | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 56°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 26°F |
| July avg high | 85°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 31.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.1" | 46.6" |
Expect 9.4°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Elizabeth sees 31.5 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: TUSTIN IRVINE RCH, CA US, NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Irvine | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 308,160 | 135,887 |
| Median household income | $129,647 | $63,874 |
| Median age | 33.9 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 39.4% | 9.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.96 |
Expect median household income to fall 0.9% — $129,647 → $63,874 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 California 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
- 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.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts 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
- 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.
- 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
How much do homes cost in Elizabeth compared to Irvine?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,667 in Elizabeth vs $1,557,982 in Irvine — a 65.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Elizabeth, NJ from Irvine, CA?
The driving distance is 2782 mi and the route typically takes 49h 44m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Irvine 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 2782 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Irvine vs Elizabeth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,874 in Elizabeth vs $129,647 in Irvine — a 50.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Elizabeth compare to Irvine?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA vs $50,490 in the Irvine MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Elizabeth more expensive than Irvine?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elizabeth is 0.9% lower than Irvine (112.563 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Irvine and Elizabeth?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 55.5°F in Elizabeth vs 64.9°F in Irvine (9.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 31.5 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 46.6 in vs 14.1 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Irvine.
City profiles: Irvine, CA · Elizabeth, NJ.