Moving from Salem, OR to Elizabeth, NJ
It is 2938 mi and 51h 55m from Salem to Elizabeth β a cross-country move across 11 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2938 mi Β· 51h 55m by car Β· OR β ID β UT β WY β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | OR β ID β UT β WY β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 84, US 30 |
| Major cities en route | Portland, Vancouver, Hillsboro, Gresham, Meridian |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Salem | Elizabeth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.649 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 104.689 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.261 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 110.333 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 8.6% above Salem β 103.649 β 112.563 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
8.6% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Salem +0.5%, Elizabeth +3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Salem | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 31.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.1" | 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 1991β2020 (stations: SALEM MCNARY FLD, OR US, NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Salem | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 135,887 |
| Median household income | $71,900 | $63,874 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.3% | 9.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.64 | 2.96 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 8.6% lower in Elizabeth than Salem.
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 Oregon 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
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during 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 β 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
- Winter gear first: Elizabeth averages 31.5 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 Salem?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elizabeth is 8.6% higher than Salem (112.563 vs 103.649, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Salem vs Elizabeth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,874 in Elizabeth vs $71,900 in Salem β a 11.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Elizabeth compare to Salem?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA vs $48,750 in the Salem MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 181,870 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Salem to Elizabeth?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2938 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Elizabeth, NJ from Salem, OR?
The driving distance is 2938 mi and the route typically takes 51h 55m via I 80 and I 84. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Elizabeth compared to Salem?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,667 in Elizabeth vs $436,318 in Salem β a 22.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Salem.
City profiles: Salem, OR Β· Elizabeth, NJ.