Moving from Oakland, CA to Elizabeth, NJ
Moving from Oakland, CA to Elizabeth, NJ is a 2899 mi cross-country relocation — about 51h 4m of driving through 11 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.
2899 mi · 51h 4m by car · CA → NV → UT → WY → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → UT → WY → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 280 |
| Major cities en route | Fremont, Hayward, Sunnyvale, San Mateo, Berkeley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Oakland | Elizabeth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Elizabeth and Oakland are close on the overall BEA RPP (115.613 vs 112.563); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Elizabeth typical home at $534,667 is 2.6% under Oakland at $716,248 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Oakland -8.5%, Elizabeth +3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Oakland | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 56°F |
| January avg low | 45°F | 26°F |
| July avg high | 72°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 31.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 22.6" | 46.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 59.6°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: OAKLAND MUSEUM, CA US, NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Oakland | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 438,072 | 135,887 |
| Median household income | $97,369 | $63,874 |
| Median age | 37.6 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.5% | 9.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.53 | 2.96 |
Median household income in Elizabeth is 2.6% below Oakland ($97,369 vs $63,874, 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 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 — 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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 0.0 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
Is Elizabeth more expensive than Oakland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elizabeth is 2.6% lower than Oakland (112.563 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Elizabeth compare to Oakland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA vs $72,050 in the Oakland MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Oakland vs Elizabeth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,874 in Elizabeth vs $97,369 in Oakland — a 34.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Oakland 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 2899 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Oakland and Elizabeth?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 55.5°F in Elizabeth vs 59.6°F in Oakland (4.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 31.5 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 46.6 in vs 22.6 in.
How much do homes cost in Elizabeth compared to Oakland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,667 in Elizabeth vs $716,248 in Oakland — a 25.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Elizabeth, NJ from Oakland, CA?
The driving distance is 2899 mi and the route typically takes 51h 4m via I 80 and I 90. 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 Oakland.
City profiles: Oakland, CA · Elizabeth, NJ.