Moving from Seattle, WA to Jersey City, NJ
Moving from Seattle, WA to Jersey City, NJ is a 2830 mi cross-country relocation — about 50h 35m of driving through 11 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2830 mi · 50h 35m by car · WA → ID → MT → SD → MN → WI → IL → IN → OH → PA → NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | WA → ID → MT → SD → MN → WI → IL → IN → OH → PA → NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 14, SD 79 |
| Major cities en route | Tacoma, Everett, Bellevue, Kent, Renton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Seattle | Jersey City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Jersey City and Seattle is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Jersey City is 1.3% below Seattle — $868,680 vs $658,269 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Seattle -2.3%, Jersey City -0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Seattle | Jersey City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 55°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 25°F |
| July avg high | 77°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | 28.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | 50.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Seattle (53.2°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: SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US, HARRISON, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Seattle | Jersey City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | 289,691 |
| Median household income | $121,984 | $94,813 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.6% | 29.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.1 | 2.35 |
Median household income in Jersey City is 1.3% below Seattle ($121,984 vs $94,813, ACS 5-year 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 Washington 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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March — check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms — check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards — check SD 511 November through April.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms — check MnDOT 511.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin — check 511wi.
- 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 3.8 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
When is the best time to move from Seattle 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 2830 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Seattle and Jersey City?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 54.8°F in Jersey City vs 53.2°F in Seattle (1.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 28.2 in vs 3.8 in. Annual precipitation: 50.4 in vs 37.8 in.
How much do homes cost in Jersey City compared to Seattle?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $658,269 in Jersey City vs $868,680 in Seattle — a 24.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Jersey City compare to Seattle?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Jersey City MSA vs $65,260 in the Seattle MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Seattle vs Jersey City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $94,813 in Jersey City vs $121,984 in Seattle — a 22.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Jersey City, NJ from Seattle, WA?
The driving distance is 2830 mi and the route typically takes 50h 35m via I 90 and US 14. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Jersey City more expensive than Seattle?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Jersey City is 1.3% higher than Seattle (112.563 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Seattle.
City profiles: Seattle, WA · Jersey City, NJ.