Minnesota to New Jersey Moving Guide
Updated June 20, 2025

Planning a 1,376 mile interstate move from Minnesota to New Jersey? This moving guide will help you compare living in Minnesota vs New Jersey across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like cold winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Hotdish vs Taylor Ham, Egg, and Cheese Sandwich), real estate & housing (prairie and farmhouse vs colonial and victorian), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in New Jersey), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Hotdish and Walleye, but get your taste buds ready for Taylor Ham, Egg, and Cheese Sandwich & Pork Roll
- New Jersey housing costs are 55% more expensive than they are in Minnesota
- Rent in New Jersey is 47.11% more expensive than in Minnesota
- Moving from Minnesota to New Jersey will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
- Our top recommended Minnesota to New Jersey movers is Big G Movers, INC
Minnesota to New Jersey Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Minnesota to New Jersey
- Cold winters
- Limited cultural diversity
- Fewer public transit options
- Isolated rural areas
- Milder winters
- Rich cultural scene
- Extensive transit network
- Proximity to NYC
- Urban congestion
- Less green space
- Higher cost of living
- Busy lifestyle
- Natural beauty
- Lakes and parks
- Lesser cost of living
- Friendly communities
Pros of moving from Minnesota to New Jersey
- Say goodbye to cold winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from limited cultural diversity and moving to New Jersey with a rich cultural scene
- Swap the fewer public transit options of Minnesota for an extensive transit network in New Jersey
- Get ready for proximity to NYC in New Jersey
Cons of moving from Minnesota to New Jersey
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the natural beauty in Minnesota to live with urban congestion in New Jersey
- You'll lose out on the pro of lakes and parks and have to settle for the con of less green space
- Time to bid farewell to the lesser cost of living and get used to the higher cost of living in New Jersey
- Swap friendly communities for a busy lifestyle
Minnesota vs. New Jersey: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Minnesota | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Hotdish | Taylor Ham, Egg, and Cheese Sandwich |
Most popular meat dish | Walleye | Pork Roll |
Most popular street food item | Juicy Lucy | Italian Hot Dogs |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Rice Burger | Vegetarian Sloppy Joe |
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 Minnesota to New Jersey, you will be trading the iconic Hotdish of Minnesota for the equally delicious Taylor Ham, Egg, and Cheese Sandwich of New Jersey. And while the locals in Minnesota rave about their flavorful Walleye and sumptuous Juicy Lucy, New Jersey residents know they have tasty Pork Roll and Italian Hot Dogs to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild Rice Burger they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegetarian Sloppy Joe of New Jersey. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Minnesota eateries like Matt's Bar, The Bachelor Farmer, and Spoon and Stable. 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 White House Sub Shop.
When comparing lifestyles, New Jersey shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Minnesota. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in New Jersey compared to what you are used to in Minnesota. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in New Jersey.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Minnesota and New Jersey
Comparison | Minnesota | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Prairie and Farmhouse | Colonial and Victorian |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lakeside view, Spacious yards | Proximity to NYC, Good schools |
- The Prairie and Farmhouse architecture that Minnesota is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Victorian architecture typical of New Jersey.
- Compared to Minnesota's real estate listings that commonly reference lakeside views and spacious yards, New Jersey real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to NYC and good schools.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. New Jersey is more walkable than Minnesota.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. New Jersey is less bike-friendly than Minnesota.
- New Jersey has more of an urban feel than Minnesota.
- New Jersey housing costs are 55% more expensive than they are in Minnesota, with a median home price of $512,908 compared to Minnesotaβs $331,117.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in New Jersey have increased by 50% compared to a 33% increase in Minnesota.
- Rent in New Jersey is 47.11% more expensive than in Minnesota.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Minnesota and New Jersey
Comparison | Minnesota | 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 | Snowstorms, Tornadoes | Hurricanes, Nor'easters |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 83Β°F / 63Β°F | 85Β°F / 66Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 23Β°F / 7Β°F | 39Β°F / 26Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 28-32 | 40-50 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 45-55 | 20-30 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Minnesota to New Jersey. New Jersey gets 4% more sunshine days than Minnesota.
- New Jersey has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Minnesota.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and tornadoes in Minnesota, 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 warmer than in Minnesota.
- The average winter lows are 19 degrees warmer than they are in Minnesota.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in New Jersey. New Jersey receives 12 more inches of rain compared to Minnesota.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Minnesota and New Jersey
Comparison | Minnesota | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $82,338 | $96,346 |
Cost of Living Index | 98.75 | 129.7 |
State Income Tax | Up to 9.85% | Up to 10.75% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.08% | 2.49% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.47% | 6.60% |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Manufacturing, Agriculture | Finance, Healthcare, 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 17% more than those in Minnesota
- The COLI in New Jersey is 31% higher than what you are used to living in Minnesota
- The state income tax in NJ is up to 10.75% compared to up to 9.85% in MN
- The affluence in New Jersey is high compared to moderate in Minnesota
- The poverty level is moderate in New Jersey compared to low in Minnesota
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Minnesota and moderate in New Jersey
Political and Religious Climate in Minnesota vs. New Jersey
Comparison | Minnesota | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed, leans Democratic | Strongly Democratic |
Local Politics | Progressive urban centers, conservative rural areas | Diverse, with liberal urban areas |
Religion | Christianity predominant, with a mix of other faiths | Diverse religious landscape, Christianity major but with significant Jewish, Muslim, Hindu communities |
- Minnesota tends to lean mixed and leans Democratic in its political climate
- New Jersey, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic
- New Jersey's religious environment can be described as a diverse religious landscape, with Christianity as the major faith but with significant Jewish, Muslim, and Hindu communities
- Minnesota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity, with a mix of other faiths
Education Guide When Moving from Minnesota to New Jersey
Comparison | Minnesota | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Minnesota Twin Cities Minnesota State University Mankato St. Cloud State University | Rutgers University Princeton University The College of New Jersey |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Scenic Heights Elementary Minnetonka Greenwood Elementary Plymouth Creekside Elementary Maple Grove | Littlebrook Elementary School Princeton Town Center Elementary School at Plainsboro Plainsboro Millstone River School Plainsboro |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Wayzata Central Middle School Plymouth Minnetonka Middle School East Minnetonka Lake Harriet Lower School Minneapolis | Thomas Grover Middle School West Windsor William Annin Middle School Basking Ridge Community Middle School Plainsboro |
Top 3 High Schools | Minnetonka High School Minnetonka Edina High School Edina Wayzata High School Plymouth | Princeton High School Princeton Millburn High School Millburn Chatham High School Chatham |
Top 3 private high schools | Breck School Minneapolis The Blake School Minneapolis St. Paul Academy and Summit School St. Paul | The Lawrenceville School Lawrenceville Pingry School Basking Ridge Delbarton School Morristown |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The International School of Minnesota Eden Prairie Minnehaha Academy Minneapolis St. Paul Preparatory School St. Paul | The Pennington School Pennington Princeton Day School Princeton Morristown-Beard School Morristown |
Top 3 School Districts | Minnetonka Public School District Minnetonka Edina Public School District Edina Wayzata Public School District Plymouth | Princeton Public Schools Princeton Millburn Township Schools Millburn West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District West Windsor and Plainsboro |
How Much Do Minnesota to New Jersey Movers Cost?
Moving 1,376 miles from Minnesota to New Jersey will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 3-8 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Metro Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,983 | 300 ft3 | $6.61 |
1 Bedroom | $2,951 | 450 ft3 | $6.56 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,881 | 750 ft3 | $6.51 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,104 | 1100 ft3 | $6.46 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,254 | 1600 ft3 | $6.41 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,445 | 1800 ft3 | $6.36 |
Top Minnesota to New Jersey Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Minnesota to New Jersey movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Big G Movers, INC
Best moving company overall for Minnesota to New Jersey