Moving from Raleigh, NC to Elizabeth, NJ
It is a 471 mi drive, roughly 9h 35m, between Raleigh, NC and Elizabeth, NJ. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
471 mi · 9h 35m by car · NC → VA → DC → MD → DE → NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | NC → VA → DC → MD → DE → NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, I 85, NJTP |
| Major cities en route | Durham, Cary, Richmond, Alexandria, Baltimore |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Raleigh | Elizabeth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.157 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.96 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 103.476 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Elizabeth runs about 14.7% more expensive overall than Raleigh — RPP 98.157 → 112.563.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $433,996 in Raleigh to $534,667 in Elizabeth, a 14.7% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Raleigh -2.3%, Elizabeth +3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Raleigh | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61°F | 56°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 26°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 4.5" | 31.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 49.4" | 46.6" |
Annual temperature drops 5.6°F moving to Elizabeth per NOAA 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: RALEIGH STATE UNIV, NC US, NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Raleigh | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | 135,887 |
| Median household income | $82,424 | $63,874 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.5% | 9.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.96 |
Elizabeth households earn about 14.7% less than Raleigh at the median — $82,424 → $63,874 on 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 North Carolina 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-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap 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 — Elizabeth averages 31.5 in annually vs 4.5 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
How does the job market in Elizabeth compare to Raleigh?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA vs $48,800 in the Raleigh MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 702,580 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Elizabeth compared to Raleigh?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,667 in Elizabeth vs $433,996 in Raleigh — a 23.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Elizabeth, NJ from Raleigh, NC?
The driving distance is 471 mi and the route typically takes 9h 35m via I 95 and I 85. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Elizabeth more expensive than Raleigh?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elizabeth is 14.7% higher than Raleigh (112.563 vs 98.157, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Raleigh and Elizabeth?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 55.5°F in Elizabeth vs 61.1°F in Raleigh (5.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 31.5 in vs 4.5 in. Annual precipitation: 46.6 in vs 49.4 in.
How does household income compare in Raleigh vs Elizabeth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,874 in Elizabeth vs $82,424 in Raleigh — a 22.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Raleigh 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 471 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Raleigh.
City profiles: Raleigh, NC · Elizabeth, NJ.