Moving from Jersey City, NJ to Austin, TX
Moving from Jersey City, NJ to Austin, TX is a 1737 mi cross-country relocation — about 31h 28m of driving through 8 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1737 mi · 31h 28m by car · TX → AR → TN → VA → WV → MD → PA → NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → AR → TN → VA → WV → MD → PA → NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 30 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Arlington, Irving |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Jersey City | Austin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Austin is 12.9% cheaper than Jersey City overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Austin is 12.9% below Jersey City — $658,269 vs $508,530 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Jersey City -0.7%, Austin -5.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Jersey City | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 25°F | 42°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 97°F |
| Annual snowfall | 28.2" | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 50.4" | 36.3" |
Austin runs 15.2°F warmer on the annual average (54.8°F vs 70.0°F) — a climate shift you will feel in cooling bills and wardrobe alike.
Austin gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: HARRISON, NJ US, AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Jersey City | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 967,862 |
| Median household income | $94,813 | $91,461 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.4% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.2 |
Median household incomes in Jersey City ($94,813) and Austin ($91,461) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Austin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New Jersey and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Austin average 97°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (15.2°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Jersey City vs Austin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,461 in Austin vs $94,813 in Jersey City — a 3.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Austin compare to Jersey City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Austin MSA vs $59,390 in the Jersey City MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 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 Jersey City to Austin?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1737 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Austin more expensive than Jersey City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Austin is 12.9% lower than Jersey City (98.066 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Jersey City and Austin?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.0°F in Austin vs 54.8°F in Jersey City (15.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.2 in vs 28.2 in. Annual precipitation: 36.3 in vs 50.4 in.
How much do homes cost in Austin compared to Jersey City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,530 in Austin vs $658,269 in Jersey City — a 22.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Austin, TX from Jersey City, NJ?
The driving distance is 1737 mi and the route typically takes 31h 28m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Jersey City.
City profiles: Jersey City, NJ · Austin, TX.