New Jersey to Arkansas Moving Guide
Updated June 18, 2025

Planning a 1,183 mile interstate move from New Jersey to Arkansas? This moving guide will help you compare living in New Jersey vs Arkansas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs affordable housing), food & health (like Taylor Ham/Pork Roll vs Fried Catfish), real estate & housing (colonial, victorian vs traditional, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in New Jersey), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Taylor Ham/Pork Roll and Italian Hot Dog, but get your taste buds ready for Fried Catfish & Barbecue Ribs
- Arkansas housing costs are 60% less expensive than they are in New Jersey
- Rent in Arkansas is 46.32% more affordable than in New Jersey
- Moving from New Jersey to Arkansas will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended New Jersey to Arkansas movers is Big G Movers, INC
New Jersey to Arkansas Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from New Jersey to Arkansas
- High cost of living
- Heavy traffic
- Sparse natural scenery
- Harsh winters
- Limited outdoor activities
- Affordable housing
- Less congestion
- Rich natural landscapes
- Milder winters
- Abundant outdoor recreation
- Fewer job opportunities
- Quieter entertainment scene
- Limited public transport
- Less diverse cuisine
- More rural settings
- Thriving job market
- Vibrant nightlife
- Extensive public transport
- Diverse dining options
- Proximity to large cities
Pros of moving from New Jersey to Arkansas
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to affordable housing
- Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic and moving to Arkansas with less congestion
- Swap the sparse natural scenery of New Jersey for the rich natural landscapes in Arkansas
- Get ready for milder winters in Arkansas
Cons of moving from New Jersey to Arkansas
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the thriving job market in New Jersey to live with fewer job opportunities in Arkansas
- You'll lose out on the pro of vibrant nightlife and have to settle for the con of a quieter entertainment scene
- Time to bid farewell to extensive public transport and get used to limited public transport in Arkansas
- Swap diverse dining options for less diverse cuisine
New Jersey vs. Arkansas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | New Jersey | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Taylor Ham/Pork Roll | Fried Catfish |
Most popular meat dish | Italian Hot Dog | Barbecue Ribs |
Most popular street food item | Salt Water Taffy | Fried Pickles |
Most popular vegan food | Vegan Pizza | BBQ Jackfruit |
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 New Jersey to Arkansas, you will be trading the iconic Taylor Ham/Pork Roll of New Jersey for the equally delicious Fried Catfish of Arkansas. And while the locals in New Jersey rave about their flavorful Italian Hot Dog and sumptuous Salt Water Taffy, Arkansas residents know they have tasty Barbecue Ribs and Fried Pickles to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Pizza they've grown to love, they can get ready for the BBQ Jackfruit of Arkansas. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic New Jersey eateries like White House Sub Shop, Don's Pizzeria, and Highlawn Pavilion. After the boxes are unpacked in Arkansas, don't wait too long before making your way to Arkansas' acclaimed eateries like McClard's BBQ, Sims Bar-B-Que, and The Pantry.
When comparing lifestyles, Arkansas shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than New Jersey. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Arkansas compared to what you are used to in New Jersey. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Arkansas.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New Jersey and Arkansas
Comparison | New Jersey | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Victorian | Traditional, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Proximity to NYC, updated kitchens | Large lots, natural sceneries |
- The Colonial and Victorian architecture that New Jersey is known for will be replaced with the Traditional and Craftsman architecture typical of Arkansas.
- Compared to New Jersey's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to NYC and updated kitchens, Arkansas real estate listings often highlight features like large lots and natural scenery.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away, as Arkansas is less walkable than New Jersey.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike because Arkansas is less bike-friendly than New Jersey.
- Arkansas has less of an urban feel than New Jersey.
- Arkansas housing costs are 60% less expensive than they are in New Jersey, with a median home price of $203,305 compared to New Jerseyβs $512,908.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Arkansas have increased by 41% compared to a 50% increase in New Jersey.
- Rent in Arkansas is 46.32% more affordable than in New Jersey.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New Jersey and Arkansas
Comparison | New Jersey | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
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, Winter Storms | Tornadoes, Severe Storms |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 66Β°F | 92Β°F / 73Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40Β°F / 25Β°F | 50Β°F / 32Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 47" | 50" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 23" | 5" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from New Jersey to Arkansas. Arkansas gets 5% more sunshine days than New Jersey.
- Arkansas has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to New Jersey.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and winter storms in New Jersey and be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and severe storms in Arkansas.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Arkansas is 7 degrees warmer than in New Jersey.
- The average winter lows are 7 degrees warmer than they are in New Jersey.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Arkansas. Arkansas receives 3 more inches of rain compared to New Jersey.
Financial & Community Snapshot: New Jersey and Arkansas
Comparison | New Jersey | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $96,346 | $55,432 |
Cost of Living Index | 129.7 | 90.5 |
State Income Tax | 10.75% | 6.9% |
Avg. Property Tax | 2.21% | 0.63% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.6% | 9.5% |
Top 3 Industries | Pharmaceuticals, Finance, Technology | Agriculture, Retail, Manufacturing |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | High |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Arkansas tend to earn about 42% less than in New Jersey
- The COLI in Arkansas is 30% lower than what you are used to living in New Jersey
- The state income tax in Arkansas is 6.9% compared to 10.75% in New Jersey
- The affluence in Arkansas is moderate compared to high in New Jersey
- The poverty level is high in Arkansas compared to moderate in New Jersey
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in New Jersey and low in Arkansas
Political and Religious Climate in New Jersey vs. Arkansas
Comparison | New Jersey | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Lean Republican |
Local Politics | Liberal Urban Centers | Conservative Suburbs/Rural Areas |
Religion | Diverse, with a notable Catholic Presence | Primarily Protestant with a strong Evangelical influence |
- New Jersey tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Arkansas, on the other hand, is often described as lean Republican
- Arkansas' religious environment can be described as primarily Protestant with a strong Evangelical influence
- New Jersey's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse with a notable Catholic presence
Education Guide When Moving from New Jersey to Arkansas
Comparison | New Jersey | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Rutgers University Princeton University Montclair State University | University of Arkansas Arkansas State University University of Central Arkansas |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Littlebrook Elementary School (Princeton) Princeton Charter School (Princeton) Moss School (Metuchen) | Baker Interdistrict Elementary School (Little Rock) Vandergriff Elementary School (Fayetteville) Forest Park Elementary School (Little Rock) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Community Middle School (Plainsboro) Thomas R. Grover Middle School (West Windsor) William R. Satz Middle School (Holmdel) | LISA Academy North Middle School (Sherwood) Haas Hall Academy Bentonville Woodland Junior High School (Fayetteville) |
Top 3 High School Schools | High Technology High School (Lincroft) Bergen County Academies (Hackensack) Middlesex County Academy for Science Mathematics and Engineering Technologies (Edison) | Haas Hall Academy (Fayetteville) Bentonville High School (Bentonville) Little Rock Central High School (Little Rock) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Lawrenceville School (Lawrenceville) The Pingry School (Basking Ridge) Newark Academy (Livingston) | Pulaski Academy (Little Rock) Little Rock Christian Academy (Little Rock) Shiloh Christian School (Springdale) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Pennington School (Pennington) Morristown-Beard School (Morristown) Rutgers Preparatory School (Somerset) | Episcopal Collegiate School (Little Rock) The Anthony School (Little Rock) Subiaco Academy (Subiaco) |
Top 3 School Districts | Princeton Public Schools Millburn Township Schools Summit Public Schools | Bentonville Public Schools Fayetteville Public Schools Rogers Public Schools |
How Much Do New Jersey to Arkansas Movers Cost?
Moving 1,183 miles from New Jersey to Arkansas will typically cost between $3,000 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $6,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 3-6 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Express Haulers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,873 | 300 ft3 | $6.24 |
1 Bedroom | $2,787 | 450 ft3 | $6.19 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,608 | 750 ft3 | $6.14 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,703 | 1100 ft3 | $6.09 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,670 | 1600 ft3 | $6.04 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,789 | 1800 ft3 | $5.99 |
Top New Jersey to Arkansas Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best New Jersey to Arkansas movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

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