New Jersey to Florida Moving Guide
Updated June 3, 2025

Planning a 1,112 mile interstate move from New Jersey to Florida? This moving guide will help you compare living in New Jersey vs Florida across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high property taxes vs lower property taxes), food & health (like Taylor Ham/Pork Roll vs Cuban Sandwich), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs mediterranean, modern), 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 Cuban Sandwich & Gator Bites
- Florida housing costs are 23% less expensive than they are in New Jersey
- Rent in Florida is 9.25% more affordable than in New Jersey
- Moving from New Jersey to Florida will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
- Our top recommended New Jersey to Florida movers is Sebastian Moving and More
New Jersey to Florida Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from New Jersey to Florida
- High property taxes
- Cold winters
- Congested traffic
- Expensive living
- Limited beach access
- Lower property taxes
- Warm weather year-round
- Improved traffic flow
- Affordable cost of living
- Abundant beaches
- Lack of season variety
- Fewer cultural hubs
- Varied school quality
- Seasonal job market
- Limited access to large cities
- Diverse seasons
- Rich cultural scene
- Good public schools
- Strong job market
- Easy access to NYC
Pros of moving from New Jersey to Florida
- Say goodbye to high property taxes and hello to lower property taxes
- Look forward to moving away from cold winters and moving to Florida with warm weather year-round
- Swap the congested traffic of New Jersey for improved traffic flow in Florida
- Get ready for an affordable cost of living in Florida
Cons of moving from New Jersey to Florida
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from diverse seasons in New Jersey to live with a lack of season variety in Florida
- You'll lose out on the pro of a rich cultural scene and have to settle with the con of fewer cultural hubs
- Time to bid farewell to good public schools and get used to varied school quality in Florida
- Swap a strong job market for a seasonal job market
New Jersey vs. Florida: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | New Jersey | Florida |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Taylor Ham/Pork Roll | Cuban Sandwich |
Most popular meat dish | Italian Hot Dog | Gator Bites |
Most popular street food item | Salt Water Taffy | Empanadas |
Most popular vegan food | Vegetable Panini | Jackfruit Tacos |
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 Florida, you will be trading the iconic Taylor Ham/Pork Roll of New Jersey for the equally delicious Cuban Sandwich of Florida. And while the locals in New Jersey rave about their flavorful Italian Hot Dog and sumptuous Salt Water Taffy, Florida residents know they have tasty Gator Bites and Empanadas to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegetable Panini they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Jackfruit Tacos of Florida. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic New Jersey eateries like Rat's Restaurant, Carlo's Bakery, and Don's BBQ. After the boxes are unpacked in Florida, don't wait too long before making your way to Florida's acclaimed eateries like Versailles Restaurant, Joe's Stone Crab, and Bern's Steak House.
When comparing lifestyles, Florida shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than New Jersey. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Florida, compared to what you are used to in New Jersey. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Florida.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New Jersey and Florida
Comparison | New Jersey | Florida |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Cape Cod | Mediterranean, Modern |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Proximity to NYC, Great Schools | Beach Access, Swimming Pools |
- The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that New Jersey is known for will be replaced with the Mediterranean and Modern architecture typical of Florida.
- Compared to New Jersey's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to NYC and great schools, Florida real estate listings often highlight features like beach access and swimming pools.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Florida is less walkable than New Jersey.
- Florida is similarly bike-friendly to New Jersey.
- Florida has less of an urban feel than New Jersey.
- Florida housing costs are 23% less expensive than they are in New Jersey, with a median home price of $397,137 compared to New Jerseyβs $512,908.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Florida have increased by 66% compared to a 50% increase in New Jersey.
- Rent in Florida is 9.25% more affordable than in New Jersey.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New Jersey and Florida
Comparison | New Jersey | Florida |
---|---|---|
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 | Nor'easters, Hurricanes | Hurricanes, Tropical Storms |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 66Β°F | 90Β°F / 75Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40Β°F / 25Β°F | 70Β°F / 48Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 47" | 54" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 23" | 0" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from New Jersey to Florida. Florida gets 15% more sunshine days than New Jersey.
- Florida has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to New Jersey.
- Say goodbye to the possible nor'easters and hurricanes in New Jersey, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and tropical storms in Florida.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Florida is 5 degrees warmer than in New Jersey.
- The average winter lows are 23 degrees warmer than they are in New Jersey.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Florida. Florida receives 7 more inches of rain compared to New Jersey.
Financial & Community Snapshot: New Jersey and Florida
Comparison | New Jersey | Florida |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $96,346 | $69,303 |
Cost of Living Index | 129.7 | 97.8 |
State Income Tax | 10.75% | 0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 2.42% | 0.83% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.63% | 6.00% |
Top 3 Industries | Finance, Healthcare, Technology | Tourism, Agriculture, Aviation |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Florida tend to earn about 28% less than in New Jersey
- The COLI in Florida will be 25% lower than what you are used to living in New Jersey
- Hooray, moving to FL means you'll no longer have state income taxes
- The affluence in Florida is moderate compared to high in New Jersey
- The poverty level is moderate in Florida compared to moderate in New Jersey
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in New Jersey and low in Florida
Political and Religious Climate in New Jersey vs. Florida
Comparison | New Jersey | Florida |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Leans Democratic | Mixed, with both Democratic and Republican strongholds |
Local Politics | Progressive in urban areas | Diverse, with conservative leanings in rural areas |
Religion | Diverse, with a significant Catholic presence | Diverse, Evangelical Protestants and Catholics are prominent |
- New Jersey tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Florida, on the other hand, is often described as mixed, with both Democratic and Republican strongholds
- Florida's religious environment can be described as diverse, with Evangelical Protestants and Catholics being prominent
- New Jersey's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse, with a significant Catholic presence
Education Guide When Moving from New Jersey to Florida
Comparison | New Jersey | Florida |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Rutgers University Princeton University New Jersey Institute of Technology | University of Florida Florida State University University of Miami |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Littlebrook Elementary School (Princeton) Moss Hill Elementary School (Verona) Washington Elementary School (Wyckoff) | Pine View School (Osprey) Doral Academy Charter Elementary School (Doral) Southside Elementary School (Sarasota) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Princeton Charter School (Princeton) Tenakill Middle School (Closter) Millburn Middle School (Millburn) | Bak Middle School of the Arts (West Palm Beach) Archimedean Middle Conservatory (Miami) Pine View School (Osprey) |
Top 3 High School Schools | High Technology High School (Lincroft) Bergen County Academies (Hackensack) Princeton High School (Princeton) | Design and Architecture Senior High (Miami) Pine View School (Osprey) Stanton College Preparatory School (Jacksonville) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Lawrenceville School (Lawrenceville) The Pingry School (Basking Ridge) Newark Academy (Livingston) | Ransom Everglades School (Coconut Grove) Bolles School (Jacksonville) American Heritage School (Plantation) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Princeton Day School (Princeton) Dwight-Englewood School (Englewood) Morristown-Beard School (Morristown) | Gulliver Prep (Miami) Berkeley Preparatory School (Tampa) American Heritage School (Plantation) |
Top 3 School Districts | Millburn Township School District Princeton Public Schools Northern Highlands Regional High School District | Sarasota County Schools St. Johns County School District Pine View School District |
How Much Do New Jersey to Florida Movers Cost?
Moving 1,112 miles from New Jersey to Florida will typically cost between $2,500 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $5,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 3-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Veteran Moving Group
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,558 | 300 ft3 | $5.19 |
1 Bedroom | $2,318 | 450 ft3 | $5.15 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,831 | 750 ft3 | $5.11 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,572 | 1100 ft3 | $5.07 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,037 | 1600 ft3 | $5.02 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,965 | 1800 ft3 | $4.98 |
Top New Jersey to Florida Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best New Jersey to Florida movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sebastian Moving and More
Best moving company overall for New Jersey to Florida
Newark to Florida
Jersey City to Florida
- Jersey City to Cape Coral
- Jersey City to Fort Lauderdale
- Jersey City to Hialeah
- Jersey City to Hollywood
- Jersey City to Jacksonville
- Jersey City to Miami
- Jersey City to Orlando
- Jersey City to Pembroke Pines
- Jersey City to Port St. Lucie
- Jersey City to St. Petersburg
- Jersey City to Tallahassee
- Jersey City to Tampa