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Massachusetts to New Jersey Moving Guide

Updated June 18, 2025

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Planning a 280 mile interstate move from Massachusetts to New Jersey? This moving guide will help you compare living in Massachusetts vs New Jersey across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high living costs vs affordable housing options), food & health (like Clam Chowder vs Taylor Ham/Pork Roll), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs colonial, victorian), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Massachusetts), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Clam Chowder and Baked Beans and Ham, but get your taste buds ready for Taylor Ham/Pork Roll & Italian Hotdogs
  • New Jersey housing costs are 16% less expensive than they are in Massachusetts
  • Rent in New Jersey is 3.44% more affordable than in Massachusetts
  • Moving from Massachusetts to New Jersey will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,000
  • Our top recommended Massachusetts to New Jersey movers is Paradise Moving & Storage

Massachusetts to New Jersey Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Massachusetts to New Jersey

ConsMassachusetts iconMassachusetts
  • High living costs
  • Cold winters
  • Heavy traffic
ProsNew Jersey iconNew Jersey
  • Affordable housing options
  • Milder climate
  • Better public transport

New Jersey iconNew Jersey
  • Higher taxes
  • Overcrowded schools
  • Few historic sites
Massachusetts iconMassachusetts
  • Diverse culture
  • Top-tier education
  • Rich history

Pros of moving from Massachusetts to New Jersey

  • Say goodbye to high living costs and hello to affordable housing options
  • Look forward to moving away from cold winters and moving to New Jersey with a milder climate
  • Swap the heavy traffic of Massachusetts for better public transport in New Jersey

Cons of moving from Massachusetts to New Jersey

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a diverse culture in Massachusetts to live with higher taxes in New Jersey
  • You'll lose out on the pro of top-tier education and have to settle for the con of overcrowded schools
  • Time to bid farewell to a rich history and get used to fewer historic sites in New Jersey

Massachusetts vs. New Jersey: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonMassachusettsNew Jersey
Most iconic local food itemClam ChowderTaylor Ham/Pork Roll
Most popular meat dishBaked Beans and HamItalian Hotdogs
Most popular street food itemLobster RollsSalt Water Taffy
Most popular vegan foodMaple Roasted VegetablesVegetable Samosas
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Don's Deli & Eatery
  • Lucien's Manor
  • Carlo's Bakery
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 Massachusetts to New Jersey, you will be trading the iconic Clam Chowder of Massachusetts for the equally delicious Taylor Ham/Pork Roll of New Jersey. And while the locals in Massachusetts rave about their flavorful Baked Beans and Ham & sumptuous Lobster Rolls, New Jersey residents know they have tasty Italian Hotdogs and Salt Water Taffy to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Maple Roasted Vegetables they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegetable Samosas of New Jersey. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Massachusetts eateries like Union Oyster House, Legal Sea Foods, and Santarpio's Pizza. 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 & Eatery, Lucien's Manor, and Carlo's Bakery.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Massachusetts and New Jersey

ComparisonMassachusettsNew Jersey
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, Cape CodColonial, Victorian
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 listingHardwood floors, proximity to schoolsEasy commute, suburban feel
  • The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Massachusetts is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Victorian architecture typical of New Jersey.
  • Compared to Massachusetts's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and proximity to schools, New Jersey real estate listings often highlight features like an easy commute and a suburban feel.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; New Jersey is less walkable than Massachusetts.
  • New Jersey is similarly bike-friendly to Massachusetts.
  • New Jersey has less of an urban feel than Massachusetts.
  • New Jersey housing costs are 16% less expensive than they are in Massachusetts, with a median home price of $512,908 compared to Massachusetts’s $612,509.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in New Jersey have increased by 50% compared to a 46% increase in Massachusetts.
  • Rent in New Jersey is 3.44% more affordable than in Massachusetts.

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

ComparisonMassachusettsNew 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 DisastersBlizzards, Nor'eastersHurricanes, Nor'easters
Air QualityGood to ModerateModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)80Β°F / 60Β°F85Β°F / 66Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)37Β°F / 22Β°F41Β°F / 26Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)47.7"46.0"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)51"23"
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Massachusetts to New Jersey. New Jersey gets 3% more sunshine days than Massachusetts.
  • New Jersey has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Massachusetts.
  • Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and nor'easters in Massachusetts, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and nor'easters in New Jersey.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in New Jersey is 5 degrees warmer than in Massachusetts.
  • The average winter lows are 4 degrees warmer than they are in Massachusetts.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in New Jersey. New Jersey receives 1.7 fewer inches of rain compared to Massachusetts.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Massachusetts and New Jersey

ComparisonMassachusettsNew Jersey
Avg. Household Income$94,488$96,346
Cost of Living Index121.55129.7
State Income Tax5.01.4-10.75
Avg. Property Tax1.232.21
Avg. Sales Tax6.256.625
Top 3 IndustriesEducation, Healthcare, TechnologyPharmaceuticals, Finance, Transportation
AffluenceHighHigh
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in New Jersey tend to earn about 2% more than in Massachusetts
  • The COLI in New Jersey will be 7% higher than what you are used to living in Massachusetts
  • The state income tax in NJ is 1.4-10.75 compared to 5.0 in MA
  • The affluence in New Jersey is high compared to high in Massachusetts
  • The poverty level is moderate in New Jersey compared to low in Massachusetts
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Massachusetts and moderate in New Jersey

Political and Religious Climate in Massachusetts vs. New Jersey

ComparisonMassachusettsNew Jersey
Political Make-upLiberal/Democratic-leaningLiberal/Democratic-leaning
Local PoliticsStrong emphasis on education and healthcareDiverse political landscape, strong urban and suburban influence
ReligionLess religious, with Catholicism being prominentDiverse religious landscape, with Catholicism and Judaism being significant
  • Massachusetts tends to lean Liberal/Democratic-leaning in its political climate
  • New Jersey, on the other hand, is often described as Liberal/Democratic-leaning
  • New Jersey's religious environment can be described as a diverse religious landscape, with Catholicism and Judaism being significant
  • Massachusetts' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as less religious, with Catholicism being prominent

Education Guide When Moving from Massachusetts to New Jersey

ComparisonMassachusettsNew Jersey
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)Harvard University
MIT
Tufts University
Princeton University
Rutgers University
Stevens Institute of Technology
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsThompson Elementary (Arlington)
Bowman Elementary (Lexington)
Vinson-Owen Elementary (Winchester)
Purnell School (Pottersville)
The Pennington School (Pennington)
Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart (Princeton)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsWayland Middle School (Wayland)
Boston Latin School (Boston)
Blanchard Middle School (Westford)
Lawrence Middle School (Lawrenceville)
Community Middle School (Plainsboro)
Thomas R. Grover Middle School (West Windsor)
Top 3 High SchoolsMassachusetts Academy of Math and Science (Worcester)
Lexington High School (Lexington)
Boston Latin School (Boston)
High Technology High School (Lincroft)
Bergen County Academies (Hackensack)
Middlesex County Academy (Edison)
Top 3 private high schoolsPhillips Academy (Andover)
Milton Academy (Milton)
Noble and Greenough School (Dedham)
The Lawrenceville School (Lawrenceville)
The Peddie School (Hightstown)
Blair Academy (Blairstown)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsLexington Christian Academy (Lexington)
The Cambridge School of Weston (Weston)
The British International School of Boston (Boston)
The Elisabeth Morrow School (Englewood)
Rutgers Preparatory School (Somerset)
The Pingry School (Basking Ridge)
Top 3 School DistrictsWeston School District
Lexington School District
Wayland School District
Princeton Public Schools
West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District
Millburn Township Schools

How Much Do Massachusetts to New Jersey Movers Cost?

Moving 280 miles from Massachusetts 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 - $4,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-6 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Centaur Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,157300 ft3$3.86
1 Bedroom$1,716450 ft3$3.81
2 Bedrooms$2,829750 ft3$3.77
3 Bedrooms$4,1021100 ft3$3.73
4 Bedrooms$5,8991600 ft3$3.69
5+ Bedrooms$6,5601800 ft3$3.64

Top Massachusetts to New Jersey Movers

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

TOP PICK
Paradise Moving & Storage featured image

Paradise Moving & Storage

Best moving company overall for Massachusetts to New Jersey

9.71/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Stairhopper Movers featured image

Stairhopper Movers

9.66/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Varsity Movers LLC featured image

Varsity Movers LLC

9.66/10
ExceptionalView details