KY to NJ Moving Specialists

Kentucky to New Jersey Moving Guide

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Updated August 20, 2025

Planning a 680 mile interstate move from Kentucky to New Jersey? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kentucky vs New Jersey across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like limited job market vs diverse job opportunities), food & health (like Fried Chicken vs Taylor Ham/Pork Roll), real estate & housing (colonial, craftsman vs victorian, colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in New Jersey), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Fried Chicken and Burgoo, but get your taste buds ready for Taylor Ham/Pork Roll & Italian Hot Dog
  • New Jersey housing costs are 155% more expensive than they are in Kentucky
  • Rent in New Jersey is 87.26% more expensive than in Kentucky
  • Moving from Kentucky to New Jersey will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
  • Our top recommended Kentucky to New Jersey movers is Big G Movers, INC
Kentucky to New Jersey featured image

Top Kentucky to New Jersey Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Kentucky 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 Kentucky to New Jersey

9.55/10
Exceptional
RUNNER-UP
Cimply Labor, LLC featured image

Cimply Labor, LLC

9.40/10
Exceptional
ALSO GREAT
Keep On Moving Company featured image

Keep On Moving Company

9.17/10
Exceptional

Kentucky to New Jersey Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Kentucky to New Jersey

ConsKentucky iconKentucky
  • Limited job market
  • Fewer entertainment options
  • Hot, humid summers
ProsNew Jersey iconNew Jersey
  • Diverse job opportunities
  • Vibrant nightlife
  • Mild ocean breeze

New Jersey iconNew Jersey
  • Higher living expenses
  • Heavy traffic
  • Urban sprawl
Kentucky iconKentucky
  • Lower cost of living
  • Less traffic congestion
  • Natural landscapes

Pros of moving from Kentucky to New Jersey

  • Say goodbye to the limited job market and hello to diverse job opportunities
  • Look forward to moving away from fewer entertainment options and moving to New Jersey with vibrant nightlife
  • Swap the hot, humid summers of Kentucky for a mild ocean breeze in New Jersey

Cons of moving from Kentucky to New Jersey

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the lower cost of living in Kentucky to live with higher living expenses in New Jersey
  • You'll lose out on the pro of less traffic congestion and have to settle with the con of heavy traffic
  • Time to bid farewell to natural landscapes and get used to urban sprawl in New Jersey

Kentucky vs. New Jersey: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonKentuckyNew Jersey
Most iconic local food itemFried ChickenTaylor Ham/Pork Roll
Most popular meat dishBurgooItalian Hot Dog
Most popular street food itemHot BrownBagels
Most popular vegan foodBBQ JackfruitImpossible Burger
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Lady and Sons
  • Holly Hill Inn
  • Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn
  • Carlo's Bakery
  • Don's Original
  • Rutt's Hut
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 Kentucky to New Jersey, you will be trading the iconic Fried Chicken of Kentucky for the equally delicious Taylor Ham/Pork Roll of New Jersey. And while the locals in Kentucky rave about their flavorful Burgoo and sumptuous Hot Brown, New Jersey residents know they have tasty Italian Hot Dog and Bagels 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 Impossible Burger of New Jersey. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Kentucky eateries like The Lady and Sons, Holly Hill Inn, and Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn. 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 Rutt's Hut.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kentucky and New Jersey

ComparisonKentuckyNew Jersey
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, CraftsmanVictorian, Colonial
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/Philly, Community amenities
  • The Colonial and Craftsman architecture that Kentucky is known for will be replaced with the Victorian and Colonial architecture typical of New Jersey.
  • Compared to Kentucky's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and privacy, New Jersey real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to NYC/Philly and community amenities.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. New Jersey is more walkable than Kentucky.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. New Jersey is more bike-friendly than Kentucky.
  • New Jersey has more of an urban feel than Kentucky.
  • New Jersey housing costs are 155% more expensive than they are in Kentucky, with a median home price of $512,908 compared to Kentucky’s $201,332.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in New Jersey have increased by 50% compared to a 47% increase in Kentucky.
  • Rent in New Jersey is 87.26% more expensive than in Kentucky.

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

ComparisonKentuckyNew Jersey
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
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 DisastersTornadoes, FloodsHurricanes, Nor'easters
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)87Β°F / 66Β°F85Β°F / 66Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)43Β°F / 23Β°F40Β°F / 25Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)48"47"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)11"23"
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Kentucky to New Jersey. New Jersey gets 6% more sunshine days than Kentucky.
  • New Jersey has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Kentucky.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Kentucky, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and nor'easters in New Jersey.
  • The average summer high temperature in New Jersey is 2 degrees colder than in Kentucky.
  • The average winter lows are 2 degrees warmer in New Jersey than they are in Kentucky.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in New Jersey. New Jersey receives 1 fewer inch of rain compared to Kentucky.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Kentucky and New Jersey

ComparisonKentuckyNew Jersey
Avg. Household Income$59,341$96,346
Cost of Living Index87.8129.7
State Income Tax5%8.97%
Avg. Property Tax0.83%2.42%
Avg. Sales Tax6%6.625%
Top 3 IndustriesAgriculture, Manufacturing, Coal MiningFinance, Pharmaceuticals, Telecommunications
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyNotableLower
HomelessnessModestConcerning
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in New Jersey tend to earn about 62% more than those in Kentucky
  • The COLI in New Jersey will be 48% higher than what you are used to living in Kentucky
  • The state income tax in NJ is 8.97% compared to 5% in KY
  • The affluence in New Jersey is high compared to moderate affluence in Kentucky
  • The poverty level is lower in New Jersey compared to notable poverty in Kentucky
  • In terms of homelessness, it is modest in Kentucky and concerning in New Jersey

Political and Religious Climate in Kentucky vs. New Jersey

ComparisonKentuckyNew Jersey
Political Make-upGenerally Republican-leaning in federal races; GOP-dominated legislature; Democratic governor; statewide races can be competitive but trend conservative.Reliably Democratic in federal races; Democratic governor and legislature; most statewide offices held by Democrats.
Local Politics120 counties; county judge/executives and fiscal courts are influential; urban centers (Louisville, Lexington) lean more progressive, many rural areas conservative; mix of partisan and nonpartisan local elections.Strong home rule with 21 counties and 560+ municipalities; many local races are partisan (some nonpartisan); urban and suburban areas dominate and lean Democratic; local issues often center on property taxes, schools, transit, and development.
ReligionPredominantly Christian, especially Evangelical Protestant; sizable Baptist presence; church attendance above national average; smaller unaffiliated share than U.S. overall.Religiously diverse; large Catholic population; notable Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, and other communities; higher unaffiliated share than Kentucky, especially in urban/suburban areas.
  • Kentucky tends to lean generally Republican-leaning in its political climate
  • New Jersey, on the other hand, is often described as reliably Democratic in its political climate
  • New Jersey's religious environment can be described as religiously diverse with a large Catholic population and notable Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, and other communities and a higher unaffiliated share than Kentucky, especially in urban and suburban areas
  • Kentucky's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christian, especially Evangelical Protestant with a sizable Baptist presence and church attendance above the national average and a smaller unaffiliated share than the U.S. overall

How Much Do Kentucky to New Jersey Movers Cost?

Moving 680 miles from Kentucky to New Jersey will typically cost between $2,500 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,500 - $5,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-6 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Smooth Move Relocation Services
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,588300 ft3$5.29
1 Bedroom$2,359450 ft3$5.24
2 Bedrooms$3,895750 ft3$5.19
3 Bedrooms$5,6581100 ft3$5.14
4 Bedrooms$8,1491600 ft3$5.09
5+ Bedrooms$9,0781800 ft3$5.04