Moving from Kansas City, KS to Elizabeth, NJ
It is 1207 mi between Kansas City and Elizabeth — roughly 22h 55m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 8 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1207 mi · 22h 55m by car · KS → MO → IL → IN → OH → WV → PA → NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | KS → MO → IL → IN → OH → WV → PA → NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 76, PATP |
| Major cities en route | Olathe, Kansas City, Overland Park, Independence, Lee S Summit |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Kansas City | Elizabeth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Elizabeth is 21.6% more expensive than Kansas City on the BEA RPP — expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $198,195 in Kansas City to $534,667 in Elizabeth, a 21.6% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Kansas City +1.0%, Elizabeth +3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Kansas City | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57°F | 56°F |
| January avg low | 22°F | 26°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 11.0" | 31.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.1" | 46.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 56.9°F vs 55.5°F per 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: KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US, NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kansas City | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 135,887 |
| Median household income | $59,183 | $63,874 |
| Median age | 34 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.6% | 9.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.96 |
Households in Elizabeth earn about 21.6% more 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 Kansas 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-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 11.0 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
What is the climate difference between Kansas City and Elizabeth?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 55.5°F in Elizabeth vs 56.9°F in Kansas City (1.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 31.5 in vs 11.0 in. Annual precipitation: 46.6 in vs 38.1 in.
Is Elizabeth more expensive than Kansas City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elizabeth is 21.6% higher than Kansas City (112.563 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Elizabeth, NJ from Kansas City, KS?
The driving distance is 1207 mi and the route typically takes 22h 55m via I 70 and I 76. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Kansas City vs Elizabeth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,874 in Elizabeth vs $59,183 in Kansas City — a 7.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Kansas City 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 1207 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Elizabeth compared to Kansas City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,667 in Elizabeth vs $198,195 in Kansas City — a 169.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Elizabeth compare to Kansas City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA vs $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Kansas City.
City profiles: Kansas City, KS · Elizabeth, NJ.