Moving from San Francisco, CA to Jersey City, NJ
It is 2930 mi and 52h 7m from San Francisco to Jersey City — 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.
2930 mi · 52h 7m by car · CA → NV → UT → WY → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → UT → WY → NE → IA → IL → IN → OH → PA → NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 280 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Rosa, Richmond, Vallejo, Berkeley, Oakland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Francisco | Jersey City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 115.613 vs 112.563 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 2.6% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $1,356,662 to $658,269 moving to Jersey City.
YoY change: San Francisco +5.0%, Jersey City -0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | San Francisco | Jersey City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 55°F |
| January avg low | 46°F | 25°F |
| July avg high | 62°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 28.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 20.6" | 50.4" |
Annual average temperatures in San Francisco (56.2°F) and Jersey City (54.8°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Jersey City 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: SAN FRANCISCO OCEANSIDE, CA US, HARRISON, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Francisco | Jersey City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 836,321 | 289,691 |
| Median household income | $141,446 | $94,813 |
| Median age | 39.7 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.1% | 29.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.31 | 2.35 |
Expect median household income to fall 2.6% — $141,446 → $94,813 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Jersey City 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-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 — 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
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Jersey City averages 28.2 in annually vs 0.0 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- Pack rain gear on top: Jersey City 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 Jersey City compare to San Francisco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Jersey City MSA vs $72,050 in the San Francisco MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Jersey City more expensive than San Francisco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Jersey City is 2.6% lower than San Francisco (112.563 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in San Francisco vs Jersey City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $94,813 in Jersey City vs $141,446 in San Francisco — a 33.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Jersey City, NJ from San Francisco, CA?
The driving distance is 2930 mi and the route typically takes 52h 7m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from San Francisco to Jersey City?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2930 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between San Francisco and Jersey City?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 54.8°F in Jersey City vs 56.2°F in San Francisco (1.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 28.2 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 50.4 in vs 20.6 in.
How much do homes cost in Jersey City compared to San Francisco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $658,269 in Jersey City vs $1,356,662 in San Francisco — a 51.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Francisco.
City profiles: San Francisco, CA · Jersey City, NJ.