New Jersey to Arizona Moving Guide
Updated June 6, 2025

Planning a 2,305 mile interstate move from New Jersey to Arizona? This moving guide will help you compare living in New Jersey vs Arizona across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high property taxes vs lower property taxes), food & health (like Taylor Ham/Pork Roll vs Sonoran Hot Dog), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs spanish colonial, pueblo revival), 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 Sonoran Hot Dog & Carne Asada
- Arizona housing costs are 16% less expensive than they are in New Jersey
- Rent in Arizona is 21.94% more affordable than in New Jersey
- Moving from New Jersey to Arizona will cost on average between $2,500 - $9,000
- Our top recommended New Jersey to Arizona movers is Sterling Interstate LLC
New Jersey to Arizona Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from New Jersey to Arizona
- High property taxes
- Winter snowstorms
- Dense urban areas
- Polution and traffic
- Lower property taxes
- Sunny climate
- Spacious living
- Less congestion
- Intense summer heat
- Less cultural diversity
- Far from major cities
- Landlocked state
- Four distinct seasons
- Rich cultural scene
- Close to NYC
- Beautiful shorelines
Pros of moving from New Jersey to Arizona
- Say goodbye to high property taxes and hello to lower property taxes
- Look forward to moving away from winter snowstorms and moving to Arizona with a sunny climate
- Swap the dense urban areas of New Jersey for spacious living in Arizona
- Get ready for less congestion in Arizona
Cons of moving from New Jersey to Arizona
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from four distinct seasons in New Jersey to live with intense summer heat in Arizona
- You'll lose out on the pro of a rich cultural scene and have to settle for the con of less cultural diversity
- Time to bid farewell to being close to NYC and get used to being far from major cities in Arizona
- Swap beautiful shorelines for a landlocked state
New Jersey vs. Arizona: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | New Jersey | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Taylor Ham/Pork Roll | Sonoran Hot Dog |
Most popular meat dish | Italian Hot Dog | Carne Asada |
Most popular street food item | Pretzels | Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Vegan Pizza | Tofu Burrito |
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 Arizona, you will be trading the iconic Taylor Ham/Pork Roll of New Jersey for the equally delicious Sonoran Hot Dog of Arizona. And while the locals in New Jersey rave about their flavorful Italian Hot Dog and sumptuous Pretzels, Arizona residents know they have tasty Carne Asada and Tacos 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 Tofu Burrito of Arizona. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic New Jersey eateries like Luciano's Ristorante, Walnut Hill Restaurant, and Hobb's Tavern. After the boxes are unpacked in Arizona, don't wait too long before making your way to Arizona's acclaimed eateries like Pizzeria Bianco, El Saucedo, and Durant's.
When comparing lifestyles, Arizona shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than New Jersey. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Arizona, compared to what you are used to in New Jersey. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Arizona.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New Jersey and Arizona
Comparison | New Jersey | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Cape Cod | Spanish Colonial, Pueblo Revival |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Proximity to NYC, Good Schools | Scenic Views, Outdoor Living |
- The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that New Jersey is known for will be replaced with the Spanish Colonial and Pueblo Revival architecture typical of Arizona.
- Compared to New Jersey's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to NYC and good schools, Arizona real estate listings often highlight features like scenic views and outdoor living.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Arizona is less walkable than New Jersey.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Arizona is more bike-friendly than New Jersey.
- Arizona has less of an urban feel than New Jersey.
- Arizona housing costs are 16% less expensive than they are in New Jersey, with a median home price of $430,827 compared to New Jerseyβs $512,908.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Arizona have increased 63% compared to a 50% increase in New Jersey.
- Rent in Arizona is 21.94% more affordable than in New Jersey.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New Jersey and Arizona
Comparison | New Jersey | Arizona |
---|---|---|
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 | Dust storms, wildfires |
Air Quality | Moderate | Varies, generally moderate but with poor quality episodes |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F/66Β°F | 104Β°F/81Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40Β°F/25Β°F | 67Β°F/46Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 47 | 13 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 23 | 0 - 100+ (highly elevation-dependent) |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from New Jersey to Arizona. Arizona gets 45% more sunshine days than New Jersey.
- Arizona has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to New Jersey.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and winter storms in New Jersey, but be on the lookout for potential dust storms and wildfires in Arizona.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Arizona is 19 degrees warmer than in New Jersey.
- The average winter lows are 21 degrees warmer than they are in New Jersey.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Arizona. Arizona receives 34 fewer inches of rain compared to New Jersey.
Financial & Community Snapshot: New Jersey and Arizona
Comparison | New Jersey | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $96,346 | $74,568 |
Cost of Living Index | 129.7 | 101.2 |
State Income Tax | 1.4% - 10.75% | 2.59% - 4.50% |
Avg. Property Tax | 2.49% | 0.66% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.625% | 5.6% |
Top 3 Industries | Finance, Pharmaceuticals, Transportation | Technology, Tourism, Mining |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Arizona tend to earn about 23% less than in New Jersey
- The COLI in Arizona is 22% lower than what you are used to living in New Jersey
- The state income tax in AZ is 2.59% - 4.50% compared to 1.4% - 10.75% in NJ
- The affluence in Arizona is moderate compared to high in New Jersey
- The poverty level is moderate in Arizona compared to low in New Jersey
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in New Jersey and moderate in Arizona
Political and Religious Climate in New Jersey vs. Arizona
Comparison | New Jersey | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Generally leans Democratic | Mixed, with recent trends leaning Democratic |
Local Politics | Highly active local government scene | Local politics marked by strong libertarian streaks |
Religion | Diverse, with a significant Catholic population | Diverse, with evangelical Protestantism being prominent |
- New Jersey tends to lean generally Democratic in its political climate
- Arizona, on the other hand, is often described as mixed, with recent trends leaning Democratic
- Arizona's religious environment can be described as diverse, with evangelical Protestantism being prominent
- New Jersey's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse, with a significant Catholic population
Education Guide When Moving from New Jersey to Arizona
Comparison | New Jersey | Arizona |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Rutgers University Princeton University The College of New Jersey | Arizona State University University of Arizona Northern Arizona University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Waldorf School of Princeton Princeton; Town Center Elementary School at Plainsboro Plainsboro; Littlebrook Elementary School Princeton | Basis Scottsdale Primary - West Campus Scottsdale; Knox Gifted Academy Chandler; Archway Classical Academy Glendale |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Thomas R. Grover Middle School West Windsor; Community Middle School Plainsboro; William Annin Middle School Basking Ridge | Basis Chandler Chandler; Basis Oro Valley Oro Valley; Basis Peoria Peoria |
Top 3 High Schools | High Technology High School Lincroft; Bergen County Academies Hackensack; Princeton High School Princeton | Basis Scottsdale Scottsdale; Basis Tucson North Tucson; Basis Oro Valley Oro Valley |
Top 3 private high schools | The Lawrenceville School Lawrenceville; The Pingry School Basking Ridge; Newark Academy Livingston | Brophy College Preparatory Phoenix; Xavier College Preparatory Phoenix; The Gregory School Tucson |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Pennington School Pennington; Morristown-Beard School Morristown; Rutgers Preparatory School Somerset | Phoenix Country Day School Paradise Valley; Rancho Solano Preparatory School Scottsdale; The Gregory School Tucson |
Top 3 School Districts | Princeton Public Schools West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District Millburn Township Schools | Scottsdale Unified School District Catalina Foothills Unified District Chandler Unified School District |
How Much Do New Jersey to Arizona Movers Cost?
Moving 2,305 miles from New Jersey to Arizona will typically cost between $3,500 and $9,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,500 - $9,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 3-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Express Haulers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,509 | 300 ft3 | $8.36 |
1 Bedroom | $3,741 | 450 ft3 | $8.31 |
2 Bedrooms | $6,198 | 750 ft3 | $8.26 |
3 Bedrooms | $9,036 | 1100 ft3 | $8.21 |
4 Bedrooms | $13,063 | 1600 ft3 | $8.16 |
5+ Bedrooms | $14,606 | 1800 ft3 | $8.11 |
Top New Jersey to Arizona Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best New Jersey to Arizona movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sterling Interstate LLC
Best moving company overall for New Jersey to Arizona