Massachusetts to New Jersey Moving Guide
Updated June 18, 2025

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
- High living costs
- Cold winters
- Heavy traffic
- Affordable housing options
- Milder climate
- Better public transport
- Higher taxes
- Overcrowded schools
- Few historic sites
- 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
Comparison | Massachusetts | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Clam Chowder | Taylor Ham/Pork Roll |
Most popular meat dish | Baked Beans and Ham | Italian Hotdogs |
Most popular street food item | Lobster Rolls | Salt Water Taffy |
Most popular vegan food | Maple Roasted Vegetables | Vegetable Samosas |
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 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
Comparison | Massachusetts | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Cape Cod | Colonial, Victorian |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Hardwood floors, proximity to schools | Easy 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 Massachusettsβs $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
Comparison | Massachusetts | 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 | Blizzards, Nor'easters | Hurricanes, Nor'easters |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 80Β°F / 60Β°F | 85Β°F / 66Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 37Β°F / 22Β°F | 41Β°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
Comparison | Massachusetts | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $94,488 | $96,346 |
Cost of Living Index | 121.55 | 129.7 |
State Income Tax | 5.0 | 1.4-10.75 |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.23 | 2.21 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.25 | 6.625 |
Top 3 Industries | Education, Healthcare, Technology | Pharmaceuticals, Finance, Transportation |
Affluence | High | High |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- 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
Comparison | Massachusetts | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Liberal/Democratic-leaning | Liberal/Democratic-leaning |
Local Politics | Strong emphasis on education and healthcare | Diverse political landscape, strong urban and suburban influence |
Religion | Less religious, with Catholicism being prominent | Diverse 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
Comparison | Massachusetts | New 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 Schools | Thompson 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 Schools | Wayland 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 Schools | Massachusetts 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 schools | Phillips 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 schools | Lexington 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 Districts | Weston 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,157 | 300 ft3 | $3.86 |
1 Bedroom | $1,716 | 450 ft3 | $3.81 |
2 Bedrooms | $2,829 | 750 ft3 | $3.77 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,102 | 1100 ft3 | $3.73 |
4 Bedrooms | $5,899 | 1600 ft3 | $3.69 |
5+ Bedrooms | $6,560 | 1800 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.

Paradise Moving & Storage
Best moving company overall for Massachusetts to New Jersey