Moving from Jersey City, NJ to Westminster, CO
A 1774 mi cross-country move between Jersey City and Westminster is 31h 60m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 8 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.
1774 mi · 31h 60m by car · NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL → IA → NE → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL → IA → NE → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 76 |
| Major cities en route | New York, Yonkers, Newark, Elizabeth, Paterson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Jersey City | Westminster | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 6.0% cheaper overall in Westminster than Jersey City on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 6.0% under Jersey City — $658,269 → $527,654 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Jersey City -0.7%, Westminster -3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Jersey City | Westminster |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 52°F |
| January avg low | 25°F | 19°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 28.2" | 44.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 50.4" | 14.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 44.8 in of snowfall annually at Westminster.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: HARRISON, NJ US, NORTHGLENN, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Jersey City | Westminster |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 115,546 |
| Median household income | $94,813 | $96,145 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.4% | 29.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.41 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Westminster MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 173,910 | $49,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 172,890 | $48,280 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 164,250 | $84,370 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 140,150 | $36,010 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 129,510 | $45,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New Jersey and Colorado
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Colorado'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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter 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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Westminster averages 44.8 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Westminster average 91°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Westminster sees only 14.5 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Westminster compared to Jersey City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $527,654 in Westminster vs $658,269 in Jersey City — a 19.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Jersey City to Westminster?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1774 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Jersey City and Westminster?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.4°F in Westminster vs 54.8°F in Jersey City (2.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 44.8 in vs 28.2 in. Annual precipitation: 14.5 in vs 50.4 in.
How does the job market in Westminster compare to Jersey City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Westminster MSA vs $59,390 in the Jersey City MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Westminster, CO from Jersey City, NJ?
The driving distance is 1774 mi and the route typically takes 31h 60m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Westminster more expensive than Jersey City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Westminster is 6.0% lower than Jersey City (105.782 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Jersey City vs Westminster?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $96,145 in Westminster vs $94,813 in Jersey City — a 1.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Jersey City.
City profiles: Jersey City, NJ · Westminster, CO.