Moving from San Bernardino, CA to Elizabeth, NJ
It is 2738 mi and 48h 47m from San Bernardino to Elizabeth — a cross-country move across 12 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.
2738 mi · 48h 47m by car · CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Riverside, Fontana, Moreno Valley, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Bernardino | Elizabeth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 5.8% above San Bernardino — 106.442 → 112.563 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 5.8% above San Bernardino — $487,988 → $534,667 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: San Bernardino -0.3%, Elizabeth +3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | San Bernardino | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 56°F |
| January avg low | 41°F | 26°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 31.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.9" | 46.6" |
Expect 9.7°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Heavy-snow city: expect 31.5 in of snowfall annually at Elizabeth.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: REDLANDS, CA US, NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Bernardino | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 221,774 | 135,887 |
| Median household income | $63,988 | $63,874 |
| Median age | 31.9 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9% | 9.8% |
| Avg household size | 3.51 | 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 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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts 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
What is the climate difference between San Bernardino and Elizabeth?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 55.5°F in Elizabeth vs 65.2°F in San Bernardino (9.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 31.5 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 46.6 in vs 12.9 in.
How does household income compare in San Bernardino vs Elizabeth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,874 in Elizabeth vs $63,988 in San Bernardino — a 0.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Elizabeth, NJ from San Bernardino, CA?
The driving distance is 2738 mi and the route typically takes 48h 47m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 12 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Elizabeth more expensive than San Bernardino?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elizabeth is 5.8% higher than San Bernardino (112.563 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Elizabeth compare to San Bernardino?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA vs $47,450 in the San Bernardino MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Elizabeth compared to San Bernardino?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,667 in Elizabeth vs $487,988 in San Bernardino — a 9.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from San Bernardino 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 2738 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 San Bernardino.
City profiles: San Bernardino, CA · Elizabeth, NJ.