Moving from Tacoma, WA to Jersey City, NJ
It is 2866 mi and 50h 57m from Tacoma to Jersey City 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.
2866 mi Β· 50h 57m by car Β· NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β WI β MN β ND β MT β ID β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL β WI β MN β ND β MT β ID β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 94, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | New York, Yonkers, Newark, Paterson, Elizabeth |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tacoma | 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 |
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
1.3% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Tacoma -0.9%, Jersey City -0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tacoma | Jersey City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 55Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 25Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 28.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.8" | 50.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 28.2 in of snowfall annually at Jersey City.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TACOMA #1, WA US, HARRISON, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tacoma | Jersey City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 289,691 |
| Median household income | $83,857 | $94,813 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 34.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21% | 29.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.35 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 1.3% higher in Jersey City than Tacoma.
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 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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- I-29 and I-94 can close without notice in winter storms; travel bans are declared more than once most winters.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Jersey City averages 28.2 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Pack rain gear on top: Jersey City averages 50.4 in of annual precipitation β 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 Tacoma to Jersey City?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2866 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 Jersey City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $94,813 in Jersey City vs $83,857 in Tacoma β a 13.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Jersey City compared to Tacoma?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $658,269 in Jersey City vs $493,840 in Tacoma β a 33.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Jersey City, NJ from Tacoma, WA?
The driving distance is 2866 mi and the route typically takes 50h 57m via I 90 and I 94. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Jersey City compare to Tacoma?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Jersey City 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.
Is Jersey City more expensive than Tacoma?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Jersey City is 1.3% higher than Tacoma (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 Tacoma.
City profiles: Tacoma, WA Β· Jersey City, NJ.