Moving from Tacoma, WA to Elizabeth, NJ
It is 2840 mi and 50h 50m from Tacoma 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.
2840 mi Β· 50h 50m by car Β· WA β ID β MT β SD β MN β WI β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β ID β MT β SD β MN β WI β IL β IN β OH β PA β NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 14, SD 79 |
| Major cities en route | Kent, Seattle, Bellevue, Renton, Spokane |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tacoma | Elizabeth | 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 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 1.3% above Tacoma β $493,840 β $534,667 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Tacoma -0.9%, Elizabeth +3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tacoma | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 31.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.8" | 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: TACOMA #1, WA US, NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tacoma | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 135,887 |
| Median household income | $83,857 | $63,874 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21% | 9.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.96 |
Expect median household income to fall 1.3% β $83,857 β $63,874 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
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 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 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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β 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 β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β 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
- 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
How far is Elizabeth, NJ from Tacoma, WA?
The driving distance is 2840 mi and the route typically takes 50h 50m via I 90 and US 14. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Elizabeth more expensive than Tacoma?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elizabeth is 1.3% higher than Tacoma (112.563 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Elizabeth compared to Tacoma?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,667 in Elizabeth vs $493,840 in Tacoma β a 8.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Elizabeth compare to Tacoma?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA vs $65,260 in the Tacoma 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.
When is the best time to move from Tacoma to Elizabeth?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2840 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Tacoma vs Elizabeth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,874 in Elizabeth vs $83,857 in Tacoma β a 23.8% 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 Tacoma.
City profiles: Tacoma, WA Β· Elizabeth, NJ.