Arkansas to New Jersey Moving Guide
Updated June 22, 2025

Planning a 1,169 mile interstate move from Arkansas to New Jersey? This moving guide will help you compare living in Arkansas vs New Jersey across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hot summers vs moderate climate), food & health (like Fried Catfish vs Taylor Ham/Pork Roll), real estate & housing (traditional, ranch 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 Fried Catfish and Smoked BBQ Ribs, but get your taste buds ready for Taylor Ham/Pork Roll & Italian Hot Dogs
- New Jersey housing costs are 152% more expensive than they are in Arkansas
- Rent in New Jersey is 86.28% more expensive than in Arkansas
- Moving from Arkansas to New Jersey will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Arkansas to New Jersey movers is Big G Movers, INC
Arkansas to New Jersey Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Arkansas to New Jersey
- Hot summers
- Limited job market
- Rural isolation
- Simpler amenities
- Small-town pace
- Moderate climate
- Diverse opportunities
- Urban conveniences
- Rich culture
- Fast-paced lifestyle
- Higher cost of living
- Urban sprawl
- Busy lifestyles
- Competitive environment
- Limited parks
- Affordable living
- Scenic landscapes
- Close-knit communities
- Laid-back attitude
- Ample green space
Pros of moving from Arkansas to New Jersey
- Say goodbye to hot summers and hello to a moderate climate
- Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to New Jersey with diverse opportunities
- Swap the rural isolation of Arkansas for urban conveniences in New Jersey
- Get ready for a rich culture in New Jersey
Cons of moving from Arkansas to New Jersey
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from affordable living in Arkansas to live with a higher cost of living in New Jersey
- You'll lose out on the pro of scenic landscapes and have to settle with the con of urban sprawl
- Time to bid farewell to close-knit communities and get used to busy lifestyles in New Jersey
- Swap a laid-back attitude for a competitive environment
Arkansas vs. New Jersey: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Arkansas | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Fried Catfish | Taylor Ham/Pork Roll |
Most popular meat dish | Smoked BBQ Ribs | Italian Hot Dogs |
Most popular street food item | Fried Pickles | Salt Water Taffy |
Most popular vegan food | BBQ Jackfruit | Vegan Pizza |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
If you're moving from Arkansas to New Jersey, you will be trading the iconic Fried Catfish of Arkansas for the equally delicious Taylor Ham/Pork Roll of New Jersey. And while the locals in Arkansas rave about their flavorful Smoked BBQ Ribs and sumptuous Fried Pickles, New Jersey residents know they have tasty Italian Hot Dogs and Salt Water Taffy to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the BBQ Jackfruit 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 Arkansas eateries like JJ's Beer Garden and Brewing Co., McClard's Bar-B-Q, and The Southern Food Company. After the boxes are unpacked in New Jersey, don't wait too long before making your way to New Jersey's acclaimed eateries like Hobbs Tavern, Montclair Diner, and Zeppoli.
When comparing lifestyles, New Jersey shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Arkansas. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in New Jersey compared to what you are used to in Arkansas. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in New Jersey.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Arkansas and New Jersey
Comparison | Arkansas | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Traditional, Ranch | Colonial, Victorian |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, proximity to nature | Close to public transportation, urban amenities |
- The Traditional and Ranch architecture that Arkansas is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Victorian architecture typical of New Jersey.
- Compared to Arkansas's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and proximity to nature, New Jersey real estate listings often highlight features like being close to public transportation and urban amenities.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; New Jersey is more walkable than Arkansas.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; New Jersey is more bike-friendly than Arkansas.
- New Jersey has more of an urban feel than Arkansas.
- New Jersey housing costs are 152% more expensive than they are in Arkansas, with a median home price of $512,908 compared to Arkansasβs $203,305.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in New Jersey have increased by 50% compared to a 41% increase in Arkansas.
- Rent in New Jersey is 86.28% more expensive than in Arkansas.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Arkansas and New Jersey
Comparison | Arkansas | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Tornadoes, Floods | Hurricanes, Nor'easters |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 92Β°F / 72Β°F | 85Β°F / 66Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 50Β°F / 30Β°F | 40Β°F / 25Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 50" | 47" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 5" | 26" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Arkansas to New Jersey. New Jersey gets 5% fewer sunshine days than Arkansas.
- New Jersey has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Arkansas.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Arkansas, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and nor'easters in New Jersey.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in New Jersey is 7 degrees colder than in Arkansas.
- The average winter lows are 5 degrees colder than they are in Arkansas.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in New Jersey. New Jersey receives 3 fewer inches of rain compared to Arkansas.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Arkansas and New Jersey
Comparison | Arkansas | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $55,432 | $96,346 |
Cost of Living Index | 90.5 | 129.7 |
State Income Tax | 5.5% | 10.75% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.61% | 2.13% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 9.53% | 6.63% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Retail, Manufacturing | Pharmaceutical, Finance, Technology |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Higher | Lower |
Homelessness | Moderate | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in New Jersey tend to earn about 74% more than in Arkansas
- The COLI in New Jersey is 43% higher than what you are used to living in Arkansas
- The state income tax in NJ is 10.75% compared to 5.5% in AR
- The affluence in New Jersey is high compared to moderate affluence in Arkansas
- The poverty level is lower in New Jersey compared to higher poverty in Arkansas
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Arkansas and moderate in New Jersey
Political and Religious Climate in Arkansas vs. New Jersey
Comparison | Arkansas | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative | Liberal |
Local Politics | Republican-majority | Democratic-majority |
Religion | Primarily Protestant | Diverse; Catholic majority |
- Arkansas tends to lean conservative in its political climate
- New Jersey, on the other hand, is often described as liberal
- New Jersey's religious environment can be described as diverse and has a Catholic majority
- Arkansas' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Protestant
Education Guide When Moving from Arkansas to New Jersey
Comparison | Arkansas | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Arkansas Arkansas State University University of Central Arkansas | Rutgers University Princeton University New Jersey Institute of Technology |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Baker Interdistrict Elementary School Little Rock; Forest Park Elementary Little Rock; Jefferson Elementary Little Rock | Littlebrook Elementary School Princeton; Princeton Charter School Princeton; Riverside Elementary Princeton |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Lisa Academy North Middle Sherwood; Fulbright Junior High Bentonville; McNair Middle School Fayetteville | Thomas Grover Middle School West Windsor; Community Middle School Plainsboro; Millburn Middle School Millburn |
Top 3 High Schools | Haas Hall Academy Fayetteville; Bentonville High School Bentonville; Fayetteville High School Fayetteville | High Technology High School Lincroft; Bergen County Academies Hackensack; Princeton High School Princeton |
Top 3 private high schools | Pulaski Academy Little Rock; Shiloh Christian School Springdale; Little Rock Christian Academy Little Rock | The Pingry School Martinsville; Newark Academy Livingston; The Lawrenceville School Lawrenceville |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Anthony School Little Rock; Subiaco Academy Subiaco; Episcopal Collegiate School Little Rock | The Pennington School Pennington; Dwight-Englewood School Englewood; Morristown-Beard School Morristown |
Top 3 School Districts | Bentonville Public Schools Fayetteville Public Schools Rogers Public Schools | Princeton Public Schools Millburn Township Schools West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District |
How Much Do Arkansas to New Jersey Movers Cost?
Moving 1,169 miles from Arkansas to New Jersey will typically cost between $3,000 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $6,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 3-6 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Express Haulers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,865 | 300 ft3 | $6.22 |
1 Bedroom | $2,775 | 450 ft3 | $6.17 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,588 | 750 ft3 | $6.12 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,674 | 1100 ft3 | $6.07 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,628 | 1600 ft3 | $6.02 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,741 | 1800 ft3 | $5.97 |
Top Arkansas to New Jersey Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Arkansas to New Jersey movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Big G Movers, INC
Best moving company overall for Arkansas to New Jersey