Arizona to New Jersey Moving Guide
Updated June 20, 2025

Planning a 2,306 mile interstate move from Arizona to New Jersey? This moving guide will help you compare living in Arizona vs New Jersey across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like extreme summer heat vs cooler summers), food & health (like Chimichanga vs Taylor Ham/Pork Roll), real estate & housing (ranch, pueblo 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 Chimichanga and Carne Asada, but get your taste buds ready for Taylor Ham/Pork Roll & Italian Hot Dog
- New Jersey housing costs are 19% more expensive than they are in Arizona
- Rent in New Jersey is 28.10% more expensive than in Arizona
- Moving from Arizona to New Jersey will cost on average between $2,500 - $9,000
- Our top recommended Arizona to New Jersey movers is Sterling Interstate LLC
Arizona to New Jersey Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Arizona to New Jersey
- Extreme summer heat
- Lack of public transit
- Desert landscapes
- Limited rain
- Cooler summers
- Robust transit systems
- Green scenery
- Four distinct seasons
- Higher living costs
- Cold, snowy winters
- Less dramatic sunsets
- More urbanized
- Low cost of living
- Sunny days year round
- Stunning sunsets
- Outdoor activities
Pros of moving from Arizona to New Jersey
- Say goodbye to extreme summer heat and hello to cooler summers
- Look forward to moving away from lack of public transit and moving to New Jersey with robust transit systems
- Swap the desert landscapes of Arizona for green scenery in New Jersey
- Get ready for four distinct seasons in New Jersey
Cons of moving from Arizona to New Jersey
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the low cost of living in Arizona to live with higher living costs in New Jersey
- You'll lose out on the pro of sunny days year-round and have to settle for the con of cold, snowy winters
- Time to bid farewell to stunning sunsets and get used to less dramatic sunsets in New Jersey
- Swap outdoor activities for a more urbanized lifestyle
Arizona vs. New Jersey: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Arizona | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Chimichanga | Taylor Ham/Pork Roll |
Most popular meat dish | Carne Asada | Italian Hot Dog |
Most popular street food item | Elote | Salt Water Taffy |
Most popular vegan food | Jackfruit Tacos | Impossible Burger |
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 Arizona to New Jersey, you will be trading the iconic Chimichanga of Arizona for the equally delicious Taylor Ham/Pork Roll of New Jersey. And while the locals in Arizona rave about their flavorful Carne Asada and sumptuous Elote, New Jersey residents know they have tasty Italian Hot Dog and Salt Water Taffy to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Jackfruit Tacos they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Impossible Burger of New Jersey. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Arizona eateries like Pizzeria Bianco, Elote Cafe, and Durant's. 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 Lucy's Kitchen and Market.
When comparing lifestyles, New Jersey shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Arizona. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in New Jersey, compared to what you are used to in Arizona. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in New Jersey.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Arizona and New Jersey
Comparison | Arizona | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch, Pueblo | Colonial, Victorian |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Pool, Landscaping | Proximity to NYC, Backyard |
- The Ranch and Pueblo architecture that Arizona is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Victorian architecture typical of New Jersey.
- Compared to Arizona's real estate listings that commonly reference pools and landscaping, New Jersey real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to NYC and backyards.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. New Jersey is more walkable than Arizona.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. New Jersey is less bike-friendly than Arizona.
- New Jersey has more of an urban feel than Arizona.
- New Jersey housing costs are 19% more expensive than they are in Arizona, with a median home price of $512,908 compared to Arizonaβs $430,827.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in New Jersey have increased by 50% compared to a 63% increase in Arizona.
- Rent in New Jersey is 28.10% more expensive than in Arizona.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Arizona and New Jersey
Comparison | Arizona | 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 | Dust Storms, Wildfires | Hurricanes, Nor'easters |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 104Β°F / 75Β°F | 85Β°F / 66Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 67Β°F / 46Β°F | 40Β°F / 25Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 13 | 47 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0.3 | 23 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Arizona to New Jersey. New Jersey gets 28% fewer sunshine days than Arizona.
- New Jersey has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Arizona.
- Say goodbye to the possible dust storms and wildfires in Arizona, 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 19 degrees colder than Arizona.
- The average winter lows are 21 degrees colder than they are in Arizona.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in New Jersey. New Jersey receives 34 more inches of rain compared to Arizona.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Arizona and New Jersey
Comparison | Arizona | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $74,568 | $96,346 |
Cost of Living Index | 101.2 | 129.7 |
State Income Tax | 2.59% | 10.75% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.60% | 2.42% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.40% | 6.63% |
Top 3 Industries | Tourism, Aerospace, Construction | Finance, Pharmaceuticals, Transportation |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Significant | Moderate |
Homelessness | Noticeable | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in New Jersey tend to earn about 29% more than those in Arizona
- The COLI in New Jersey will be 28% higher than what you are used to living in Arizona
- The state income tax in NJ is 10.75% compared to 2.59% in AZ
- The affluence in New Jersey is high compared to moderate in Arizona
- The poverty level is moderate in New Jersey compared to significant in Arizona
- In terms of homelessness, it is noticeable in Arizona and low in New Jersey
Political and Religious Climate in Arizona vs. New Jersey
Comparison | Arizona | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Moderately conservative, leaning purple in recent elections | Lean liberal, consistently voting Democratic in recent national elections |
Local Politics | Local politics can vary significantly by region, with urban areas leaning more liberal and rural areas more conservative | Local politics largely align with the state's overall liberal leaning, but there are conservative pockets, especially in the more rural south |
Religion | Christianity is predominant, but with a significant number of individuals unaffiliated with any religion | Highly diverse religious landscape, including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and others |
- Arizona tends to lean moderately conservative, leaning purple in its political climate
- New Jersey, on the other hand, is often described as leaning liberal, consistently voting Democratic in recent national elections
- New Jersey's religious environment can be described as a highly diverse religious landscape, including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and others
- Arizona's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity is predominant, but with a significant number of individuals unaffiliated with any religion
Education Guide When Moving from Arizona to New Jersey
Comparison | Arizona | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Arizona State University University of Arizona Northern Arizona University | Rutgers University Princeton University New Jersey Institute of Technology |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Cherokee Elementary School - Scottsdale BASIS Chandler - Chandler Manzanita Elementary School - Tucson | Princeton Charter School - Princeton Littlebrook Elementary School - Princeton Milton Avenue School - Chatham |
Top 3 Middle Schools | BASIS Chandler - Chandler BASIS Scottsdale - Scottsdale Paragon Science Academy - Chandler | Thomas R. Grover Middle School - West Windsor Community Middle School - Plainsboro William Annin Middle School - Basking Ridge |
Top 3 High School Schools | BASIS Scottsdale - Scottsdale BASIS Peoria - Peoria University High School - Tucson | High Technology High School - Lincroft Bergen County Academies - Hackensack Princeton High School - Princeton |
Top 3 private high schools | Brophy College Preparatory - Phoenix Xavier College Preparatory - Phoenix The Gregory School - Tucson | The Lawrenceville School - Lawrenceville The Pingry School - Basking Ridge Delbarton School - Morristown |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Phoenix Country Day School - Paradise Valley The Gregory School - Tucson Rancho Solano Preparatory School - Scottsdale | The Lawrenceville School - Lawrenceville The Pingry School - Basking Ridge Newark Academy - Livingston |
Top 3 School Districts | Scottsdale Unified School District Chandler Unified School District Gilbert Public Schools | Princeton Public Schools Millburn Township Schools Summit Public Schools |
How Much Do Arizona to New Jersey Movers Cost?
Moving 2,306 miles from Arizona to New Jersey will typically cost between $3,500 and $9,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,500 - $9,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 3-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Express Haulers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,510 | 300 ft3 | $8.37 |
1 Bedroom | $3,742 | 450 ft3 | $8.32 |
2 Bedrooms | $6,200 | 750 ft3 | $8.27 |
3 Bedrooms | $9,038 | 1100 ft3 | $8.22 |
4 Bedrooms | $13,066 | 1600 ft3 | $8.17 |
5+ Bedrooms | $14,609 | 1800 ft3 | $8.12 |
Top Arizona to New Jersey Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Arizona to New Jersey movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sterling Interstate LLC
Best moving company overall for Arizona to New Jersey