Movers

DC to New Jersey Moving Guide

Updated June 17, 2025

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Planning a 182 mile interstate move from DC to New Jersey? This moving guide will help you compare living in DC vs New Jersey across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs more affordable housing), food & health (like Half-smoke vs Taylor Ham/Pork Roll), real estate & housing (victorian & federals vs colonial & cape cods), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in DC), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Half-smoke and Mumbo sauce on fried chicken, but get your taste buds ready for Taylor Ham/Pork Roll & Italian Hot Dog
  • New Jersey housing costs are 17% less expensive than they are in DC
  • Rent in New Jersey is 2.17% more expensive than in DC
  • Moving from DC to New Jersey will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,000
  • Our top recommended DC to New Jersey movers is Bookstore Movers

DC to New Jersey Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from DC to New Jersey

ConsDC iconDC
  • High Cost of Living
  • Traffic Congestion
  • Political Tension
ProsNew Jersey iconNew Jersey
  • More Affordable Housing
  • Better Public Transit
  • Quieter Suburban Life

New Jersey iconNew Jersey
  • Less Urban Vibe
  • Fewer Late-Night Spots
  • Fewer Tourist Attractions
DC iconDC
  • Cultural Diversity
  • Diverse Dining Options
  • Historical Landmarks

Pros of moving from DC to New Jersey

  • Say goodbye to high cost of living and hello to more affordable housing
  • Look forward to moving away from traffic congestion and moving to New Jersey with better public transit
  • Swap the political tension of DC for quieter suburban life in New Jersey

Cons of moving from DC to New Jersey

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from cultural diversity in DC to live with less urban vibe in New Jersey
  • You'll lose out on the pro of diverse dining options and have to settle for the con of fewer late-night spots
  • Time to bid farewell to historical landmarks and get used to fewer tourist attractions in New Jersey

DC vs. New Jersey: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonDCNew Jersey
Most iconic local food itemHalf-smokeTaylor Ham/Pork Roll
Most popular meat dishMumbo sauce on fried chickenItalian Hot Dog
Most popular street food itemJumbo SliceSalt Water Taffy
Most popular vegan foodPlant-based half-smokeImpossible Burger
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Ben's Chili Bowl
  • Zaytinya
  • Rose's Luxury
  • Don's Deli
  • Rat's Restaurant
  • Battello
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’Ŗ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene (out of 10)šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from DC to New Jersey, you will be trading the iconic Half-smoke of DC for the equally delicious Taylor Ham/Pork Roll of New Jersey. And while the locals in DC rave about their flavorful Mumbo sauce on fried chicken and sumptuous Jumbo Slice, 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 Plant-based Half-smoke 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 DC eateries like Ben's Chili Bowl, Zaytinya, and Rose's Luxury. After the boxes are unpacked in New Jersey, don't wait too long before making your way to New Jersey's acclaimed eateries like Don's Deli, Rat's Restaurant, and Battello.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between DC and New Jersey

ComparisonDCNew Jersey
Typical Architecture StyleVictorian & FederalsColonial & Cape Cods
WalkabilityšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestylešŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļø
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingProximity to Metro, Rooftop DecksBackyards, Proximity to NYC
  • The Victorian and Federal architecture that DC is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cape Cod architecture typical of New Jersey.
  • Compared to DC's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to metro stations and rooftop decks, New Jersey real estate listings often highlight features like backyards and proximity to NYC.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; New Jersey is less walkable than DC.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike; New Jersey is less bike-friendly than DC.
  • New Jersey has less of an urban feel than DC.
  • New Jersey housing costs are 17% less expensive than they are in DC, with a median home price of $512,908 compared to DC’s $619,320.
  • Over the prior five years, home prices in New Jersey have increased by 50% compared to an 8% increase in DC.
  • Rent in New Jersey is 2.17% more expensive than in DC.

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

ComparisonDCNew Jersey
Days of Sunshine per Yearā˜€ļøā˜€ļøā˜€ļøā˜€ļøā˜€ļøā˜€ļøā˜€ļøā˜€ļøā˜€ļøā˜€ļø
Avg. Annual HumidityšŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļø
Natural DisastersHurricanes, severe stormsHurricanes, blizzards, floods
Air QualityModerateVaries by area
Average Summer High/Low (°F)88/7185/66
Average Winter High/Low (°F)47/2940/25
Annual Rainfall (Inches)39.7447.1
Annual Snowfall (Inches)15.423.0
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from DC to New Jersey. New Jersey gets 1% more sunshine days than DC.
  • New Jersey has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to DC.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and severe storms in DC, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes, blizzards, and floods in New Jersey.
  • The average summer high temperature in New Jersey is 3 degrees colder than in DC.
  • The average winter lows in New Jersey are 4 degrees colder than they are in DC.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in New Jersey. New Jersey receives 7.4 more inches of rain compared to DC.

Financial & Community Snapshot: DC and New Jersey

ComparisonDCNew Jersey
Avg. Household Income$101,027$96,346
Cost of Living Index140.1129.7
State Income Tax4.0 - 8.951.4 - 10.75
Avg. Property Tax0.562.21
Avg. Sales Tax6.06.625
Top 3 IndustriesGovernment, Education, Health ServicesPharmaceuticals, Financial Services, Telecommunications
AffluenceHighModerate
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessSignificantManageable
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in New Jersey tend to earn about 5% less than those in DC
  • The COLI in New Jersey is 7% lower than what you are used to living in DC
  • The state income tax in NJ is 1.4 to 10.75 compared to 4.0 to 8.95 in DC
  • The affluence in New Jersey is moderate compared to high in DC
  • The poverty level is low in New Jersey compared to moderate in DC
  • In terms of homelessness, it is significant in DC and manageable in New Jersey

Political and Religious Climate in DC vs. New Jersey

ComparisonDCNew Jersey
Political Make-upHeavily DemocraticModerately Democratic
Local PoliticsFocused on federal government impactLocal concerns with balanced federal awareness
ReligionDiverse, with no single dominating faithDiverse, Catholicism being significant
  • DC tends to lean heavily Democratic in its political climate
  • New Jersey, on the other hand, is often described as moderately Democratic
  • New Jersey's religious environment can be described as diverse, with Catholicism being significant
  • DC's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse, with no single dominating faith

Education Guide When Moving from DC to New Jersey

ComparisonDCNew Jersey
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)Georgetown University
Howard University
American University
Princeton University
Rutgers University-New Brunswick
The College of New Jersey
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsMann Elementary
Janney Elementary
Eaton Elementary
Littlebrook Elementary (Princeton)
Princeton Charter School (Princeton)
Riverside Elementary (Princeton)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsDeal Middle School
Hardy Middle School
Alice Deal Middle School
Community Middle School (Plainsboro)
Thomas R. Grover Middle School (West Windsor)
William Annin Middle School (Basking Ridge)
Top 3 High School SchoolsWilson High School
School Without Walls
Banneker High School
Princeton High School (Princeton)
West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North (Plainsboro)
Millburn High School (Millburn)
Top 3 private high schoolsSidwell Friends School
Georgetown Day School
Maret School
The Lawrenceville School (Lawrenceville)
The Pingry School (Basking Ridge)
Delbarton School (Morristown)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsSidwell Friends School
Georgetown Day School
Maret School
The Lawrenceville School
The Pingry School
Blair Academy (Blairstown)
Top 3 School DistrictsDC Public SchoolsPrinceton Public Schools
West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District
Millburn Township Schools

How Much Do DC to New Jersey Movers Cost?

Moving 182 miles from DC to New Jersey will typically cost between $1,500 and $4,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $1,500 - $4,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-6.5 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Express Haulers
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,110300 ft3$3.70
1 Bedroom$1,646450 ft3$3.66
2 Bedrooms$2,711750 ft3$3.61
3 Bedrooms$3,9291100 ft3$3.57
4 Bedrooms$5,6471600 ft3$3.53
5+ Bedrooms$6,2761800 ft3$3.49

Top DC to New Jersey Movers

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

TOP PICK
Bookstore Movers featured image

Bookstore Movers

Best moving company overall for DC to New Jersey

9.60/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Mic's Moving featured image

Mic's Moving

9.60/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Big G Movers, INC featured image

Big G Movers, INC

9.54/10
ExceptionalView details