Maryland to New Jersey Moving Guide
Updated June 12, 2025

Planning a 161 mile interstate move from Maryland to New Jersey? This moving guide will help you compare living in Maryland vs New Jersey across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like humidity in summers vs moderate summer climate), food & health (like Crab Cakes vs Taylor Ham/Pork Roll), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs victorian, colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Maryland), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Crab Cakes and Fried Chicken, but get your taste buds ready for Taylor Ham/Pork Roll & Italian Hot Dogs
- New Jersey housing costs are 24% more expensive than they are in Maryland
- Rent in New Jersey is 31.40% more expensive than in Maryland
- Moving from Maryland to New Jersey will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,000
- Our top recommended Maryland to New Jersey movers is AT Movers
Maryland to New Jersey Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Maryland to New Jersey
- Humidity in summers
- High traffic congestion
- Lack of beaches
- Moderate summer climate
- Expansive public transport
- Close to Jersey Shore
- Higher population density
- Higher cost of living
- More expensive housing
- Beautiful state parks
- Diverse cuisine
- Historic charm
Pros of moving from Maryland to New Jersey
- Say goodbye to humidity in summers and hello to a moderate summer climate
- Look forward to moving away from high traffic congestion and moving to New Jersey with expansive public transport
- Swap the lack of beaches in Maryland for being close to the Jersey Shore in New Jersey
Cons of moving from Maryland to New Jersey
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from beautiful state parks in Maryland to live with a higher population density in New Jersey
- You'll lose out on the pro of diverse cuisine and have to settle for the con of a higher cost of living
- Time to bid farewell to historic charm and get used to more expensive housing in New Jersey
Maryland vs. New Jersey: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Maryland | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Crab Cakes | Taylor Ham/Pork Roll |
Most popular meat dish | Fried Chicken | Italian Hot Dogs |
Most popular street food item | Soft Shell Crab Sandwiches | Salt Water Taffy |
Most popular vegan food | Vegan Crab Cakes | 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 Maryland to New Jersey, you will be trading the iconic Crab Cakes of Maryland for the equally delicious Taylor Ham/Pork Roll of New Jersey. And while the locals in Maryland rave about their flavorful Fried Chicken and sumptuous Soft Shell Crab Sandwiches, New Jersey residents know they have tasty Italian Hot Dogs and Salt Water Taffy to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Crab Cakes 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 Maryland eateries like Bertha's Mussels, Charleston, and Lexington Market. 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 Deli, and Zeppelin Hall.
When comparing lifestyles, New Jersey shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Maryland. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in New Jersey, compared to what you are used to in Maryland. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in New Jersey.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Maryland and New Jersey
Comparison | Maryland | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Cape Cod | Victorian, Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Waterfront, Proximity to DC | Proximity to NYC, Shoreline |
- The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Maryland is known for will be replaced with the Victorian and Colonial architecture typical of New Jersey.
- Compared to Maryland's real estate listings that commonly reference waterfront and proximity to DC, New Jersey real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to NYC and shoreline.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. New Jersey is more walkable than Maryland.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. New Jersey is more bike-friendly than Maryland.
- New Jersey has more of an urban feel than Maryland.
- New Jersey housing costs are 24% more expensive than they are in Maryland, with a median home price of $512,908 compared to Marylandβs $414,972.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in New Jersey have increased by 50% compared to a 33% increase in Maryland.
- Rent in New Jersey is 31.40% more expensive than in Maryland.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Maryland and New Jersey
Comparison | Maryland | 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 | Hurricanes, Tornadoes | Hurricanes, Nor'easters |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 87/66 | 85/66 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 43/29 | 40/25 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 44.5 | 47.1 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 20.6 | 26.1 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Maryland to New Jersey. New Jersey gets 3% fewer sunshine days than Maryland.
- New Jersey has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Maryland.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and tornadoes in Maryland, 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 Maryland.
- The average winter lows are 4 degrees colder than they are in Maryland.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in New Jersey. New Jersey receives 2.6 more inches of rain compared to Maryland.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Maryland and New Jersey
Comparison | Maryland | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $94,991 | $96,346 |
Cost of Living Index | 124.95 | 129.7 |
State Income Tax | 2% - 5.75% | 1.4% - 10.75% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.10% | 2.21% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 6.625% |
Top 3 Industries | Aerospace, Biotechnology, IT | Financial Services, Pharmaceuticals, Transportation |
Affluence | Prosperous | Wealthy |
Poverty | Moderate | Average |
Homelessness | Low | Medium |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in New Jersey tend to earn about 1% more than in Maryland
- The COLI in New Jersey will be 4% higher than what you are used to living in Maryland
- The state income tax in NJ is 1.4% - 10.75% compared to 2% - 5.75% in MD
- The affluence in New Jersey is wealthy compared to prosperous in Maryland
- The poverty level is average in New Jersey compared to moderate in Maryland
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Maryland and medium in New Jersey
Political and Religious Climate in Maryland vs. New Jersey
Comparison | Maryland | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Leans Democratic | Leans Democratic |
Local Politics | Liberal in urban areas, with conservative pockets in rural regions | Liberal along the coast and northern areas, with conservative areas in the northwest and south |
Religion | Diverse; Christianity, Judaism, Islam | Diverse; Christianity majority, significant Jewish, Muslim communities |
- Maryland tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- New Jersey, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democratic
- New Jersey's religious environment can be described as diverse, with a Christian majority and significant Jewish and Muslim communities
- Maryland's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse, including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam
Education Guide When Moving from Maryland to New Jersey
Comparison | Maryland | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Maryland Towson University Johns Hopkins University | Rutgers University Princeton University Montclair State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Fulton Elementary (Fulton) Cold Spring Elementary (Potomac) Windsor Farm Elementary (Annapolis) | Littlebrook Elementary (Princeton) Millburn Elementary (Millburn) Riverside Elementary (Princeton) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Thomas W. Pyle Middle School (Bethesda) Herbert Hoover Middle (Potomac) Folly Quarter Middle (Ellicott City) | Millburn Middle School (Millburn) Princeton Charter School (Princeton) Community Middle School (Plainsboro) |
Top 3 High Schools | Walt Whitman High (Bethesda) Winston Churchill High (Potomac) Thomas S. Wootton High (Rockville) | Princeton High School (Princeton) Millburn High School (Millburn) High Technology High School (Lincroft) |
Top 3 private high schools | Gilman School (Baltimore) Holton-Arms School (Bethesda) McDonogh School (Owings Mills) | The Lawrenceville School (Lawrenceville) Pingry School (Basking Ridge) Morristown-Beard School (Morristown) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Glenelg Country School (Ellicott City) Friends School of Baltimore (Baltimore) Sandy Spring Friends School (Sandy Spring) | Newark Academy (Livingston) The Pennington School (Pennington) Morristown-Beard School (Morristown) |
Top 3 School Districts | Howard County Public Schools Montgomery County Public Schools Anne Arundel County Public Schools | Millburn Township Schools Princeton Public Schools Summit Public Schools |
How Much Do Maryland to New Jersey Movers Cost?
Moving 161 miles from Maryland 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: 3-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: AT Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,100 | 300 ft3 | $3.67 |
1 Bedroom | $1,630 | 450 ft3 | $3.62 |
2 Bedrooms | $2,685 | 750 ft3 | $3.58 |
3 Bedrooms | $3,892 | 1100 ft3 | $3.54 |
4 Bedrooms | $5,593 | 1600 ft3 | $3.50 |
5+ Bedrooms | $6,216 | 1800 ft3 | $3.45 |
Top Maryland to New Jersey Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Maryland to New Jersey movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.