Moving from Odessa, TX to Newark, NJ
A 1887 mi cross-country move between Odessa and Newark is 34h 1m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 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.
1887 mi · 34h 1m by car · NJ → PA → WV → VA → TN → AR → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ → PA → WV → VA → TN → AR → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 30 |
| Major cities en route | New York, Jersey City, Yonkers, Paterson, Elizabeth |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Odessa | Newark | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.896 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.86 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 89.709 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 19.9% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 19.9% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $251,239 to $478,455 moving to Newark.
YoY change: Odessa +5.6%, Newark -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Odessa | Newark |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 55°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 25°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | 28.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.3" | 50.4" |
Annual temperature drops 9.6°F moving to Newark per NOAA normals.
Newark averages 28.2 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ODESSA, TX US, HARRISON, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Odessa | Newark |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,080 | 307,188 |
| Median household income | $73,030 | $48,416 |
| Median age | 31 | 34.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.6% | 12.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 2.7 |
Newark households earn about 19.9% less than Odessa at the median — $73,030 → $48,416 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Newark 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 Texas 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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in 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 — Newark averages 28.2 in annually vs 0.9 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- Pack rain gear on top: Newark averages 50.4 in of annual precipitation — 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 does the job market in Newark compare to Odessa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Newark MSA vs $45,830 in the Odessa MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 76,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Newark compared to Odessa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $478,455 in Newark vs $251,239 in Odessa — a 90.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Odessa to Newark?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1887 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Odessa vs Newark?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,416 in Newark vs $73,030 in Odessa — a 33.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Odessa and Newark?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 54.8°F in Newark vs 64.4°F in Odessa (9.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 28.2 in vs 0.9 in. Annual precipitation: 50.4 in vs 12.3 in.
Is Newark more expensive than Odessa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Newark is 19.9% higher than Odessa (112.563 vs 93.896, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Newark, NJ from Odessa, TX?
The driving distance is 1887 mi and the route typically takes 34h 1m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 7 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 Odessa.
City profiles: Odessa, TX · Newark, NJ.