Moving from Irving, TX to Elizabeth, NJ
A 1551 mi cross-country move between Irving and Elizabeth is 28h 20m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1551 mi · 28h 20m by car · TX → AR → TN → VA → WV → PA → NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → AR → TN → VA → WV → PA → NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 30 |
| Major cities en route | Fort Worth, Arlington, Frisco, Grand Prairie, Denton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Irving | Elizabeth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 9.2% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 9.2% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $341,503 to $534,667 moving to Elizabeth.
YoY change: Irving -2.6%, Elizabeth +3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Irving | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 56°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 26°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.6" | 31.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.0" | 46.6" |
Annual temperature drops 11.1°F moving to Elizabeth per NOAA normals.
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: DALLAS FT WORTH AP, TX US, NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Irving | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,036 | 135,887 |
| Median household income | $79,641 | $63,874 |
| Median age | 32.8 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.8% | 9.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.71 | 2.96 |
Households in Elizabeth earn about 9.2% less at the median — ACS 5-year 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 1.6 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (11.1°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
How much do homes cost in Elizabeth compared to Irving?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,667 in Elizabeth vs $341,503 in Irving — a 56.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Elizabeth more expensive than Irving?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elizabeth is 9.2% higher than Irving (112.563 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Irving 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 1551 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Elizabeth compare to Irving?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA vs $48,440 in the Irving MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Elizabeth, NJ from Irving, TX?
The driving distance is 1551 mi and the route typically takes 28h 20m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Irving vs Elizabeth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,874 in Elizabeth vs $79,641 in Irving — a 19.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Irving and Elizabeth?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 55.5°F in Elizabeth vs 66.6°F in Irving (11.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 31.5 in vs 1.6 in. Annual precipitation: 46.6 in vs 37.0 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Irving.
City profiles: Irving, TX · Elizabeth, NJ.