Moving from Moreno Valley, CA to Elizabeth, NJ
Cross-country relocations like Moreno Valley, CA β Elizabeth, NJ cover 2743 mi and about 49h 13m of driving through 12 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2743 mi Β· 49h 13m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β MO β IL β IN β OH β WV β PA β NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β MO β IL β IN β OH β WV β PA β NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 70, I 44 |
| Major cities en route | Riverside, San Bernardino, Fontana, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Moreno Valley | Elizabeth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 5.8% pricier overall in Elizabeth than Moreno Valley on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values are comparable between the two cities on the latest Zillow ZHVI.
YoY change: Moreno Valley -1.5%, Elizabeth +3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Moreno Valley | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 31.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 10.7" | 46.6" |
Climate cools by 7.8Β°F on the annual average β 63.3Β°F β 55.5Β°F.
Significant snow at the destination: Elizabeth sees 31.5 in a year on NOAA normals β budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MARCH AFB, CA US, NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Moreno Valley | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 210,378 | 135,887 |
| Median household income | $87,477 | $63,874 |
| Median age | 32.1 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.1% | 9.8% |
| Avg household size | 3.84 | 2.96 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 5.8% between Moreno Valley and Elizabeth (ACS 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close 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
- Winter gear first: Elizabeth averages 31.5 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 does the job market in Elizabeth compare to Moreno Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA vs $47,450 in the Moreno Valley MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Elizabeth compared to Moreno Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,667 in Elizabeth vs $551,284 in Moreno Valley β a 3.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Elizabeth, NJ from Moreno Valley, CA?
The driving distance is 2743 mi and the route typically takes 49h 13m via I 40 and I 70. The trip crosses 12 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Moreno Valley to Elizabeth?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2743 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Moreno Valley vs Elizabeth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,874 in Elizabeth vs $87,477 in Moreno Valley β a 27.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Elizabeth more expensive than Moreno Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elizabeth is 5.8% higher than Moreno Valley (112.563 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Moreno Valley.
City profiles: Moreno Valley, CA Β· Elizabeth, NJ.