Missouri to New Jersey Moving Guide
Updated June 12, 2025

Planning a 1,046 mile interstate move from Missouri to New Jersey? This moving guide will help you compare living in Missouri vs New Jersey across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high humidity vs ocean access), food & health (like St. Louis-style BBQ 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 St. Louis-style BBQ and Burnt Ends, but get your taste buds ready for Taylor Ham/Pork Roll & Italian Hot Dogs
- New Jersey housing costs are 111% more expensive than they are in Missouri
- Rent in New Jersey is 83.68% more expensive than in Missouri
- Moving from Missouri to New Jersey will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Missouri to New Jersey movers is Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
Missouri to New Jersey Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Missouri to New Jersey
- High humidity
- Limited public transport
- Rural isolation
- Mosquito prevalence
- Extreme summer heat
- Ocean access
- Robust transit systems
- Urban connectivity
- Four distinct seasons
- Milder overall climate
- Higher expenses
- Dense population
- Noisy urban areas
- Potential culture shock
- Heavy traffic
- Low cost of living
- Wide open spaces
- Quiet rural life
- Familiar community feel
- Lower traffic congestion
Pros of moving from Missouri to New Jersey
- Say goodbye to high humidity and hello to ocean access
- Look forward to moving away from limited public transport and moving to New Jersey with robust transit systems
- Swap the rural isolation of Missouri for urban connectivity in New Jersey
- Get ready for four distinct seasons in New Jersey
Cons of moving from Missouri to New Jersey
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the low cost of living in Missouri to live with higher expenses in New Jersey
- You'll lose out on the pro of wide open spaces and have to settle for the con of dense population
- Time to bid farewell to quiet rural life and get used to noisy urban areas in New Jersey
- Swap the familiar community feel for potential culture shock
Missouri vs. New Jersey: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Missouri | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | St. Louis-style BBQ | Taylor Ham/Pork Roll |
Most popular meat dish | Burnt Ends | Italian Hot Dogs |
Most popular street food item | Toasted Ravioli | Salt Water Taffy |
Most popular vegan food | Cauliflower Wings | Impossible Burger |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10) | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10) | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene (out of 10) | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly (out of 10) | 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 Missouri to New Jersey, you will be trading the iconic St. Louis-style BBQ of Missouri for the equally delicious Taylor Ham/Pork Roll of New Jersey. And while the locals in Missouri rave about their flavorful Burnt Ends and sumptuous Toasted Ravioli, 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 Cauliflower Wings 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 Missouri eateries like Pappy's Smokehouse, The Royal, and Salt + Smoke. 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, Carlo's Bakery, and Dinosaur Bar-B-Que.
When comparing lifestyles, New Jersey shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Missouri. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in New Jersey compared to what you are used to in Missouri. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in New Jersey.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Missouri and New Jersey
Comparison | Missouri | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Craftsman | Victorian, Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, garage space | Proximity to transit, upgraded kitchens |
- The Colonial and Craftsman architecture that Missouri is known for will be replaced with the Victorian and Colonial architecture typical of New Jersey.
- Compared to Missouri's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and garage space, New Jersey real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to transit and upgraded kitchens.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. New Jersey is more walkable than Missouri.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. New Jersey is more bike-friendly than Missouri.
- New Jersey has more of an urban feel than Missouri.
- New Jersey housing costs are 111% more expensive than they are in Missouri, with a median home price of $512,908 compared to Missouriβs $243,216.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in New Jersey have increased by 50% compared to a 49% increase in Missouri.
- Rent in New Jersey is 83.68% more expensive than in Missouri.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Missouri and New Jersey
Comparison | Missouri | 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 | Tornadoes, floods | Hurricanes, nor'easters |
Air Quality | Moderate | Moderate to Poor |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 89/67 | 85/66 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40/21 | 40/25 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 42 | 47 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 18 | 28 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Missouri to New Jersey. New Jersey gets 0% more sunshine days than Missouri.
- New Jersey has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Missouri.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Missouri, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and nor'easters in New Jersey.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in New Jersey is 4 degrees colder than in Missouri.
- The average winter lows in New Jersey are 4 degrees warmer than they are in Missouri.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in New Jersey. New Jersey receives 5 more inches of rain compared to Missouri.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Missouri and New Jersey
Comparison | Missouri | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $64,811 | $96,346 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.8 | 129.7 |
State Income Tax | 5.4% | 10.75% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.93% | 2.49% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.29% | 6.63% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Healthcare | Finance, Healthcare, Retail |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in New Jersey tend to earn about 49% more than in Missouri
- The COLI in New Jersey will be 41% higher than what you are used to living in Missouri
- The state income tax in NJ is 10.75% compared to 5.4% in MO
- The affluence in New Jersey is high compared to moderate affluence in Missouri
- The poverty level is low in New Jersey compared to moderate poverty in Missouri
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Missouri and low in New Jersey
Political and Religious Climate in Missouri vs. New Jersey
Comparison | Missouri | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Traditionally leans Republican | Tends to lean Democratic |
Local Politics | Local governance can vary, with a mix of conservative and moderate communities | Local areas show a strong Democratic presence, especially in urban centers |
Religion | Christianity predominates, with a strong Evangelical influence | Diverse religious landscape, including a significant Catholic population |
- Missouri tends to lean traditionally Republican 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 a diverse religious landscape including a significant Catholic population
- Missouri's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity predominates with a strong Evangelical influence
Education Guide When Moving from Missouri to New Jersey
Comparison | Missouri | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Missouri Missouri State University University of Kansas | Rutgers University Princeton University The College of New Jersey |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Mason Ridge Elementary Parkway; John Thomas School Cape Girardeau; Wilsonβs Creek Springfield | Princeton Charter School Princeton; Littlebrook Elementary School Princeton; Riverside Elementary Princeton |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Ladue Middle School Ladue; Wildwood Middle Wildwood; Pembroke Hill Middle Kansas City | Thomas Grover Middle School West Windsor; Community Middle School Plainsboro; William Annin Middle School Basking Ridge |
Top 3 High Schools | Ladue Horton Watkins High Ladue; Clayton High Clayton; Park Hill South High Riverside | High Technology High School Lincroft; Bergen County Academies Hackensack; Princeton High School Princeton |
Top 3 private high schools | Thomas Jefferson School Sunset Hills; The Pembroke Hill School Kansas City; John Burroughs School St. Louis | The Lawrenceville School Lawrenceville; The Pingry School Basking Ridge; Newark Academy Livingston |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Thomas Jefferson School Sunset Hills; The Pembroke Hill School Kansas City; Whitfield School St. Louis | The Pennington School Pennington; Princeton Day School Princeton; Morristown-Beard School Morristown |
Top 3 School Districts | Clayton School District Clayton; Kirkwood R-VII School District Kirkwood; Ladue School District Ladue | Princeton Public Schools Princeton; Millburn Township Schools Millburn; West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District West Windsor |
How Much Do Missouri to New Jersey Movers Cost?
Moving 1,046 miles from Missouri to New Jersey will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 3-9 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Express Haulers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,795 | 300 ft3 | $5.98 |
1 Bedroom | $2,671 | 450 ft3 | $5.93 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,414 | 750 ft3 | $5.88 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,418 | 1100 ft3 | $5.83 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,256 | 1600 ft3 | $5.78 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,323 | 1800 ft3 | $5.73 |
Top Missouri to New Jersey Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Missouri to New Jersey movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
Best moving company overall for Missouri to New Jersey