Moving from San Francisco, CA to Newark, NJ
A 2925 mi cross-country move between San Francisco and Newark is 51h 58m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 11 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2925 mi · 51h 58m 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 | Newark | 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 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
2.6% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: San Francisco +5.0%, Newark -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | San Francisco | Newark |
|---|---|---|
| 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" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 28.2 in of snowfall annually at Newark.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO OCEANSIDE, CA US, HARRISON, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Francisco | Newark |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 836,321 | 307,188 |
| Median household income | $141,446 | $48,416 |
| Median age | 39.7 | 34.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.1% | 12.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.31 | 2.7 |
Newark households earn about 2.6% less than San Francisco at the median — $141,446 → $48,416 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Newark 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 — Newark 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: Newark 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
Is Newark more expensive than San Francisco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Newark 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.
What is the climate difference between San Francisco and Newark?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 54.8°F in Newark 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.
When is the best time to move from San Francisco to Newark?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2925 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Newark, NJ from San Francisco, CA?
The driving distance is 2925 mi and the route typically takes 51h 58m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Newark compared to San Francisco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $478,455 in Newark vs $1,356,662 in San Francisco — a 64.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Newark compare to San Francisco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Newark 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.
How does household income compare in San Francisco vs Newark?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,416 in Newark vs $141,446 in San Francisco — a 65.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Francisco.
City profiles: San Francisco, CA · Newark, NJ.