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Alabama to New Jersey Moving Guide

Updated June 15, 2025

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Planning a 1,016 mile interstate move from Alabama to New Jersey? This moving guide will help you compare living in Alabama vs New Jersey across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high humidity vs milder summers), food & health (like Barbecue vs Taylor Ham, Egg, and Cheese Sandwich), real estate & housing (antebellum, craftsman vs colonial, victorian), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in New Jersey), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Barbecue and Pulled Pork, but get your taste buds ready for Taylor Ham, Egg, and Cheese Sandwich & Italian Hot Dog
  • New Jersey housing costs are 127% more expensive than they are in Alabama
  • Rent in New Jersey is 66.31% more expensive than in Alabama
  • Moving from Alabama to New Jersey will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
  • Our top recommended Alabama to New Jersey movers is Big G Movers, INC

Alabama to New Jersey Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Alabama to New Jersey

ConsAlabama iconAlabama
  • High humidity
  • Limited public transport
  • Hurricanes
  • Fewer career opportunities
ProsNew Jersey iconNew Jersey
  • Milder summers
  • Extensive transit options
  • Less severe storms
  • Job market diversity

New Jersey iconNew Jersey
  • Higher cost of living
  • Fast-paced lifestyle
  • More crowded areas
  • Noisy cities
Alabama iconAlabama
  • Lower cost of living
  • Southern hospitality
  • Slower pace
  • Charming small towns

Pros of moving from Alabama to New Jersey

  • Say goodbye to high humidity and hello to milder summers
  • Look forward to moving away from limited public transport and moving to New Jersey with extensive transit options
  • Swap the hurricanes of Alabama for less severe storms in New Jersey
  • Get ready for job market diversity in New Jersey

Cons of moving from Alabama to New Jersey

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a lower cost of living in Alabama to live with a higher cost of living in New Jersey
  • You'll lose out on the pro of Southern hospitality and have to settle for the con of a fast-paced lifestyle
  • Time to bid farewell to a slower pace and get used to more crowded areas in New Jersey
  • Swap charming small towns for noisy cities

Alabama vs. New Jersey: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonAlabamaNew Jersey
Most iconic local food itemBarbecueTaylor Ham, Egg, and Cheese Sandwich
Most popular meat dishPulled PorkItalian Hot Dog
Most popular street food itemFried Green TomatoesPork Roll
Most popular vegan foodBlack-eyed PeasVegan Pizza
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Dreamland Bar-B-Que
  • Highlands Bar and Grill
  • Big Bad Breakfast
  • Carlo's Bakery
  • Don's Original
  • Razza Pizza Artigianale
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Alabama to New Jersey, you will be trading the iconic barbecue of Alabama for the equally delicious Taylor Ham, Egg, and Cheese Sandwich of New Jersey. And while the locals in Alabama rave about their flavorful pulled pork and sumptuous fried green tomatoes, New Jersey residents know they have tasty Italian hot dogs and pork rolls to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the black-eyed peas they've grown to love, they can get ready for the vegan pizza of New Jersey. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Alabama eateries like Dreamland Bar-B-Que, Highlands Bar and Grill, and Big Bad Breakfast. After the boxes are unpacked in New Jersey, don't wait too long before making your way to New Jersey's acclaimed eateries like Carlo's Bakery, Don's Original, and Razza Pizza Artigianale.

When comparing lifestyles, New Jersey shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Alabama. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in New Jersey, compared to what you are used to in Alabama. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in New Jersey.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Alabama and New Jersey

ComparisonAlabamaNew Jersey
Typical Architecture StyleAntebellum, CraftsmanColonial, Victorian
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingLarge yards, privacyProximity to NYC, updated kitchens
  • The Antebellum and Craftsman architecture that Alabama is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Victorian architecture typical of New Jersey.
  • Compared to Alabama's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and privacy, New Jersey real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to NYC and updated kitchens.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. New Jersey is more walkable than Alabama.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. New Jersey is more bike-friendly than Alabama.
  • New Jersey has more of an urban feel than Alabama.
  • New Jersey housing costs are 127% more expensive than they are in Alabama, with a median home price of $512,908 compared to Alabama’s $226,045.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in New Jersey have increased by 50% compared to a 45% increase in Alabama.
  • Rent in New Jersey is 66.31% more expensive than in Alabama.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Alabama and New Jersey

ComparisonAlabamaNew Jersey
Days of Sunshine per Year210 days206 days
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersHurricanes, TornadoesHurricanes, Snowstorms
Air QualityGood to ModerateModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)90Β°F / 72Β°F85Β°F / 66Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)57Β°F / 36Β°F40Β°F / 24Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)58 inches47 inches
Annual Snowfall (Inches)2 inches23 inches
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Alabama to New Jersey. New Jersey gets 2% fewer sunshine days than Alabama.
  • New Jersey has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Alabama.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and tornadoes in Alabama, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and snowstorms in New Jersey.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in New Jersey is 5 degrees colder than in Alabama.
  • The average winter lows are 12 degrees colder than they are in Alabama.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in New Jersey. New Jersey receives 11 fewer inches of rain compared to Alabama.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Alabama and New Jersey

ComparisonAlabamaNew Jersey
Avg. Household Income$59,674$96,346
Cost of Living Index91.2129.7
State Income Tax5%8.97%
Avg. Property Tax0.42%2.49%
Avg. Sales Tax9.22%6.625%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Finance, ManufacturingFinance, Healthcare, Technology
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyNotableModerate
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in New Jersey tend to earn about 61% more than those in Alabama
  • The COLI in New Jersey will be 42% higher than what you are used to living in Alabama
  • The state income tax in NJ is 8.97% compared to 5% in AL
  • The affluence in New Jersey is high compared to moderate in Alabama
  • The poverty level is moderate in New Jersey compared to notable in Alabama
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Alabama and moderate in New Jersey

Political and Religious Climate in Alabama vs. New Jersey

ComparisonAlabamaNew Jersey
Political Make-upTraditionally leans RepublicanLeans Democratic
Local PoliticsConservative policies predominateProgressive policies more common
ReligionPrimarily Protestant ChristianDiverse, with significant Catholic and Jewish populations
  • Alabama tends to lean Republican in its political climate
  • New Jersey, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democratic
  • New Jersey's religious environment can be described as diverse with significant Catholic and Jewish populations
  • Alabama's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Protestant Christian

Education Guide When Moving from Alabama to New Jersey

ComparisonAlabamaNew Jersey
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Alabama
Auburn University
University of South Alabama
Rutgers University
Princeton University
The College of New Jersey
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsGreystone Elementary School (Hoover)
Mt Laurel Elementary School (Birmingham)
Vestavia Hills Elementary West (Vestavia Hills)
Littlebrook Elementary School (Princeton)
Glenwood Elementary School (Short Hills)
Millburn Elementary School (Millburn)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsLiberty Park Middle School (Vestavia Hills)
Simmons Middle School (Hoover)
Mountain Brook Junior High (Mountain Brook)
Community Middle School (Plainsboro)
Thomas R. Grover Middle School (Princeton Junction)
William Annin Middle School (Basking Ridge)
Top 3 High SchoolsLoveless Academic Magnet Program High School (Montgomery)
Mountain Brook High School (Mountain Brook)
Bob Jones High School (Madison)
Princeton High School (Princeton)
Millburn High School (Millburn)
Bergen County Academies (Hackensack)
Top 3 private high schoolsThe Altamont School (Birmingham)
Indian Springs School (Indian Springs)
Randolph School (Huntsville)
The Lawrenceville School (Lawrenceville)
Newark Academy (Livingston)
The Pingry School (Basking Ridge)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Altamont School (Birmingham)
Indian Springs School (Indian Springs)
Randolph School (Huntsville)
The Lawrenceville School (Lawrenceville)
Newark Academy (Livingston)
The Pingry School (Basking Ridge)
Top 3 School DistrictsMountain Brook Schools
Vestavia Hills City Schools
Madison City Schools
Princeton Public Schools
Millburn Township Schools
West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District

How Much Do Alabama to New Jersey Movers Cost?

Moving 1,016 miles from Alabama to New Jersey will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 3-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Express Haulers
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,778300 ft3$5.93
1 Bedroom$2,645450 ft3$5.88
2 Bedrooms$4,371750 ft3$5.83
3 Bedrooms$6,3561100 ft3$5.78
4 Bedrooms$9,1651600 ft3$5.73
5+ Bedrooms$10,2211800 ft3$5.68

Top Alabama to New Jersey Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Alabama to New Jersey movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Big G Movers, INC featured image

Big G Movers, INC

Best moving company overall for Alabama to New Jersey

9.54/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Cimply Labor, LLC featured image

Cimply Labor, LLC

9.39/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
MoveDaddy featured image

MoveDaddy

9.39/10
ExceptionalView details