Idaho to New Jersey Moving Guide
Updated June 18, 2025

Planning a 2,495 mile interstate move from Idaho to New Jersey? This moving guide will help you compare living in Idaho vs New Jersey across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder climate), food & health (like Idaho Potatoes vs Taylor Ham/Pork Roll), real estate & housing (ranch, craftsman vs colonial, cape cod), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in New Jersey), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Idaho Potatoes and Trout, but get your taste buds ready for Taylor Ham/Pork Roll & Italian Hot Dog
- New Jersey housing costs are 14% more expensive than they are in Idaho
- Rent in New Jersey is 51.76% more expensive than in Idaho
- Moving from Idaho to New Jersey will cost on average between $2,500 - $9,500
- Our top recommended Idaho to New Jersey movers is Big G Movers, INC
Idaho to New Jersey Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Idaho to New Jersey
- Harsh winters
- Limited job market
- Less cultural diversity
- Lack of public transit
- Milder climate
- Vibrant job opportunities
- Diverse cultural scene
- Extensive public transport
- Dense urban areas
- Higher expenses
- Fast-paced lifestyle
- Greater anonymity
- Beautiful landscapes
- Lower cost of living
- Peaceful rural life
- Tight-knit community
Pros of moving from Idaho to New Jersey
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to a milder climate
- Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to New Jersey with vibrant job opportunities
- Swap the less cultural diversity of Idaho for a diverse cultural scene in New Jersey
- Get ready for extensive public transport in New Jersey
Cons of moving from Idaho to New Jersey
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from beautiful landscapes in Idaho to live with dense urban areas in New Jersey
- You'll lose out on the pro of a lower cost of living and have to settle with the con of higher expenses
- Time to bid farewell to a peaceful rural life and get used to a fast-paced lifestyle in New Jersey
- Swap a tight-knit community for greater anonymity
Idaho vs. New Jersey: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Idaho | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Idaho Potatoes | Taylor Ham/Pork Roll |
Most popular meat dish | Trout | Italian Hot Dog |
Most popular street food item | Idaho Fry Company Fries | Salt Water Taffy |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Mushroom Strozzapreti | 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 Idaho to New Jersey, you will be trading the iconic Idaho Potatoes of Idaho for the equally delicious Taylor Ham/Pork Roll of New Jersey. And while the locals in Idaho rave about their flavorful Trout and sumptuous Idaho Fry Company Fries, 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 Wild Mushroom Strozzapreti 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 Idaho eateries like State and Lemp, Boise Towne Pie Co., and ALAVITA. After the boxes are unpacked in New Jersey, don't wait too long before making your way to New Jersey's acclaimed eateries like White House Sub Shop, Carlo's Bakery, and Don's Original.
When comparing lifestyles, New Jersey shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Idaho. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in New Jersey compared to what you are used to in Idaho. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in New Jersey.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Idaho and New Jersey
Comparison | Idaho | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch, Craftsman | Colonial, Cape Cod |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, scenic views | Close to transit, vibrant communities |
- The Ranch and Craftsman architecture that Idaho is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cape Cod architecture typical of New Jersey.
- Compared to Idaho's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and scenic views, New Jersey real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to transit and vibrant communities.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; New Jersey is more walkable than Idaho.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; New Jersey is more bike-friendly than Idaho.
- New Jersey has more of an urban feel than Idaho.
- New Jersey housing costs are 14% more expensive than they are in Idaho, with a median home price of $512,908 compared to Idahoβs $451,298.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in New Jersey have increased by 50% compared to a 69% increase in Idaho.
- Rent in New Jersey is 51.76% more expensive than in Idaho.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Idaho and New Jersey
Comparison | Idaho | 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 | Wildfires, Earthquakes | Hurricanes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85-40Β°F | 85-66Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 33-14Β°F | 40-25Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 13-36 | 40-51 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 19-300 | 13-40 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Idaho to New Jersey. New Jersey gets 2% more sunshine days than Idaho.
- New Jersey has higher humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Idaho.
- Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and earthquakes in Idaho, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and floods in New Jersey.
- The average summer high temperature in New Jersey is degrees, the same as Idaho.
- The average winter lows are NaN degrees colder than they are in Idaho.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in New Jersey. New Jersey receives 27 more inches of rain compared to Idaho.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Idaho and New Jersey
Comparison | Idaho | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $72,785 | $96,346 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.5 | 129.7 |
State Income Tax | 6.5% | 10.75% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.69% | 2.42% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 6.625% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Technology, Tourism | Finance, Pharmaceuticals, Technology |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in New Jersey tend to earn about 32% more than those in Idaho
- The COLI in New Jersey will be 42% higher than what you are used to living in Idaho
- The state income tax in NJ is 10.75% compared to 6.5% in ID
- The affluence in New Jersey is high compared to moderate in Idaho
- The poverty level is moderate in New Jersey compared to low in Idaho
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Idaho and moderate in New Jersey
Political and Religious Climate in Idaho vs. New Jersey
Comparison | Idaho | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative | Liberal |
Local Politics | Republican-dominated Legislatures | Democratic-majority Legislature |
Religion | Predominantly Christian, with a significant Mormon community | Diverse; significant Catholic, Jewish, and Muslim communities |
- Idaho 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 with significant Catholic, Jewish, and Muslim communities
- Idaho's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christian with a significant Mormon community
Education Guide When Moving from Idaho to New Jersey
Comparison | Idaho | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Boise State University University of Idaho Idaho State University | Rutgers University Princeton University The College of New Jersey |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | White Pine Elementary (Boise) Longfellow Elementary (Boise) Adams Elementary (Boise) | Littlebrook Elementary School (Princeton) Riverside Elementary School (Princeton) Princeton Charter School (Princeton) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | North Star Charter (Eagle) Heritage Middle School (Meridian) Lake Hazel Middle School (Boise) | Thomas R. Grover Middle School (Princeton Junction) Community Middle School (Plainsboro) William Annin Middle School (Basking Ridge) |
Top 3 High Schools | Boise High School (Boise) Renaissance High School (Meridian) Timberline High School (Boise) | Princeton High School (Princeton) High Technology High School (Lincroft) Academy for Allied Health Sciences (Scotch Plains) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Ambrose School (Meridian) Bishop Kelly High School (Boise) Coeur d'Alene Christian School (Coeur d'Alene) | The Lawrenceville School (Lawrenceville) The Pingry School (Basking Ridge) Blair Academy (Blairstown) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Classical Christian Academy (Post Falls) Logos School (Moscow) The Ambrose School (Meridian) | Newark Academy (Livingston) The Pingry School (Basking Ridge) Moorestown Friends School (Moorestown) |
Top 3 School Districts | Boise School District West Ada School District Coeur d'Alene School District | Princeton Public Schools Millburn Township Schools West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District |
How Much Do Idaho to New Jersey Movers Cost?
Moving 2,495 miles from Idaho to New Jersey will typically cost between $4,000 and $9,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $4,000 - $9,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 3-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Valley Custom Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,617 | 300 ft3 | $8.72 |
1 Bedroom | $3,903 | 450 ft3 | $8.67 |
2 Bedrooms | $6,467 | 750 ft3 | $8.62 |
3 Bedrooms | $9,431 | 1100 ft3 | $8.57 |
4 Bedrooms | $13,637 | 1600 ft3 | $8.52 |
5+ Bedrooms | $15,252 | 1800 ft3 | $8.47 |
Top Idaho to New Jersey Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Idaho to New Jersey movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.