Moving from Richmond, VA to Elizabeth, NJ
Relocating between Richmond, VA and Elizabeth, NJ is a 320 mi drive — 6h 35m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
320 mi · 6h 35m by car · VA → DC → MD → DE → NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | VA → DC → MD → DE → NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, NJTP, I 895 |
| Major cities en route | Alexandria, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Newark, Jersey City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Richmond | Elizabeth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.858 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.221 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.773 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.136 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 15.0% above Richmond — 97.858 → 112.563 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
15.0% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Richmond +1.4%, Elizabeth +3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Richmond | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 56°F |
| January avg low | 29°F | 26°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 8.8" | 31.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 45.5" | 46.6" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 31.5 in of snowfall annually at Elizabeth.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RICHMOND INTL AP, VA US, NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richmond | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | 135,887 |
| Median household income | $62,671 | $63,874 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26% | 9.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.23 | 2.96 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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 Virginia 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-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 8.8 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 much do homes cost in Elizabeth compared to Richmond?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,667 in Elizabeth vs $369,646 in Richmond — a 44.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Elizabeth compare to Richmond?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA vs $48,470 in the Richmond MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 647,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Richmond 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 320 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Elizabeth more expensive than Richmond?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elizabeth is 15.0% higher than Richmond (112.563 vs 97.858, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Richmond and Elizabeth?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 55.5°F in Elizabeth vs 58.9°F in Richmond (3.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 31.5 in vs 8.8 in. Annual precipitation: 46.6 in vs 45.5 in.
How does household income compare in Richmond vs Elizabeth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,874 in Elizabeth vs $62,671 in Richmond — a 1.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Elizabeth, NJ from Richmond, VA?
The driving distance is 320 mi and the route typically takes 6h 35m via I 95 and NJTP. The trip crosses 5 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 Richmond.
City profiles: Richmond, VA · Elizabeth, NJ.