Moving from Moreno Valley, CA to Jersey City, NJ
Cross-country relocations like Moreno Valley, CA β Jersey City, NJ cover 2762 mi and about 49h 9m of driving through 11 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.
2762 mi Β· 49h 9m by car Β· NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO β UT β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO β UT β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, I 80 EXPRESS |
| 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
| Moreno Valley | Jersey City | 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 |
Overall cost of living in Jersey City is 5.8% higher than Moreno Valley, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Jersey City is 5.8% above Moreno Valley ($658,269 vs $551,284 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Moreno Valley -1.5%, Jersey City -0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Moreno Valley | Jersey City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 55Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 25Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 28.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 10.7" | 50.4" |
Climate cools by 8.5Β°F on the annual average β 63.3Β°F β 54.8Β°F.
Jersey City averages 28.2 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MARCH AFB, CA US, HARRISON, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Moreno Valley | Jersey City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 210,378 | 289,691 |
| Median household income | $87,477 | $94,813 |
| Median age | 32.1 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.1% | 29.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.84 | 2.35 |
Income steps up 5.8%: $87,477 in Moreno Valley vs $94,813 in Jersey City.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Jersey City 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
- 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 β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Jersey City averages 28.2 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Pack rain gear on top: Jersey City averages 50.4 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 Jersey City compared to Moreno Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $658,269 in Jersey City vs $551,284 in Moreno Valley β a 19.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Moreno Valley vs Jersey City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $94,813 in Jersey City vs $87,477 in Moreno Valley β a 8.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Jersey City compare to Moreno Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Jersey City 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.
When is the best time to move from Moreno Valley to Jersey City?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2762 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Jersey City more expensive than Moreno Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Jersey City 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.
How far is Jersey City, NJ from Moreno Valley, CA?
The driving distance is 2762 mi and the route typically takes 49h 9m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 11 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 Moreno Valley.
City profiles: Moreno Valley, CA Β· Jersey City, NJ.