New Jersey to Idaho Moving Guide
Updated June 13, 2025

Planning a 2,493 mile interstate move from New Jersey to Idaho? This moving guide will help you compare living in New Jersey vs Idaho across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high property taxes vs lower property taxes), food & health (like Pork Roll vs Idaho Potatoes), real estate & housing (colonial, victorian vs modern, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in New Jersey), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Pork Roll and Italian Hot Dog, but get your taste buds ready for Idaho Potatoes & Boise Fry Company Bison Burger
- Idaho housing costs are 12% less expensive than they are in New Jersey
- Rent in Idaho is 34.11% more affordable than in New Jersey
- Moving from New Jersey to Idaho will cost on average between $2,500 - $9,500
- Our top recommended New Jersey to Idaho movers is Big G Movers, INC
New Jersey to Idaho Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from New Jersey to Idaho
- High property taxes
- Heavy traffic congestion
- High cost of living
- Dense population
- Harsh winters
- Lower property taxes
- Less traffic
- Affordable housing
- More open space
- Milder winters
- Far from major cities
- Fewer restaurant choices
- No coastal access
- Less historical sites
- Limited public transportation
- Close to NYC
- Diverse dining options
- Variety of beaches
- Rich history and culture
- Public transit system
Pros of moving from New Jersey to Idaho
- Say goodbye to high property taxes and hello to lower property taxes
- Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic congestion and moving to Idaho with less traffic
- Swap the high cost of living in New Jersey for affordable housing in Idaho
- Get ready for more open space in Idaho
Cons of moving from New Jersey to Idaho
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from close to NYC in New Jersey to live far from major cities in Idaho
- You'll lose out on the pro of diverse dining options and have to settle for the con of fewer restaurant choices
- Time to bid farewell to the variety of beaches and get used to no coastal access in Idaho
- Swap rich history and culture for fewer historical sites
New Jersey vs. Idaho: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | New Jersey | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pork Roll | Idaho Potatoes |
Most popular meat dish | Italian Hot Dog | Boise Fry Company Bison Burger |
Most popular street food item | Taylor Ham Egg and Cheese Sandwich | Street Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Vegan Pizza | Quinoa Salad |
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 Idaho, you will be trading the iconic Pork Roll of New Jersey for the equally delicious Idaho Potatoes of Idaho. And while the locals in New Jersey rave about their flavorful Italian Hot Dog and sumptuous Taylor Ham Egg and Cheese Sandwich, Idaho residents know they have tasty Boise Fry Company Bison Burger and Street 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 Quinoa Salad of Idaho. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic New Jersey eateries like White House Subs, Dock's Oyster House, and Carlo's Bakery. After the boxes are unpacked in Idaho, don't wait too long before making your way to Idaho's acclaimed eateries like Westside Drive-In, Boise Fry Company, and Barbacoa Grill.
When comparing lifestyles, Idaho shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than New Jersey. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Idaho compared to what you are used to in New Jersey. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Idaho.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New Jersey and Idaho
Comparison | New Jersey | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Victorian | Modern, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Proximity to NYC, scenic views | Outdoor activities, quiet living |
- The Colonial and Victorian architecture that New Jersey is known for will be replaced with the Modern and Ranch architecture typical of Idaho.
- Compared to New Jersey's real estate listings, which commonly reference proximity to NYC and scenic views, Idaho real estate listings often highlight features like outdoor activities and quiet living.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Idaho is less walkable than New Jersey.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Idaho is less bike-friendly than New Jersey.
- Idaho has less of an urban feel than New Jersey.
- Idaho housing costs are 12% less expensive than they are in New Jersey, with a median home price of $451,298 compared to New Jerseyβs $512,908.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Idaho have increased by 69% compared to a 50% increase in New Jersey.
- Rent in Idaho is 34.11% more affordable than in New Jersey.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New Jersey and Idaho
Comparison | New Jersey | Idaho |
---|---|---|
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, Nor'easters | Wildfires, Earthquakes |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85/65 | 85/50 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40/25 | 34/19 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 47 | 18 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 23 | 60 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from New Jersey to Idaho. Idaho gets 0% fewer sunshine days than New Jersey.
- Idaho has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to New Jersey.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and nor'easters in New Jersey, but be on the lookout for potential wildfires and earthquakes in Idaho.
- The average summer high temperature in Idaho is the same as New Jersey.
- The average winter lows are 6 degrees colder than they are in New Jersey.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Idaho. Idaho receives 29 fewer inches of rain compared to New Jersey.
Financial & Community Snapshot: New Jersey and Idaho
Comparison | New Jersey | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $96,346 | $72,785 |
Cost of Living Index | 129.7 | 91.5 |
State Income Tax | 5.53% | 6.93% |
Avg. Property Tax | 2.42% | 0.69% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.63% | 6.00% |
Top 3 Industries | Finance, Pharmaceuticals, Information Technology | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Technology |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Notable | Minimal |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Idaho tend to earn about 24% less than in New Jersey
- The COLI in Idaho will be 29% lower than what you are used to living in New Jersey
- The state income tax in ID is 6.93% compared to 5.53% in NJ
- The affluence in Idaho is moderate compared to high in New Jersey
- The poverty level is low in Idaho compared to moderate in New Jersey
- In terms of homelessness, it is notable in New Jersey and minimal in Idaho
Political and Religious Climate in New Jersey vs. Idaho
Comparison | New Jersey | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Liberal-leaning | Conservative-leaning |
Local Politics | Democrat-majority urban areas | Republican-majority rural and urban areas |
Religion | Mixed, with a significant Catholic presence | Predominantly Christian, including Latter-day Saints |
- New Jersey tends to lean Liberal-leaning in its political climate
- Idaho, on the other hand, is often described as conservative-leaning
- Idaho's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christian, including Latter-day Saints
- New Jersey's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mixed, with a significant Catholic presence
Education Guide When Moving from New Jersey to Idaho
Comparison | New Jersey | Idaho |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Rutgers University Princeton University Montclair State University | Boise State University University of Idaho Idaho State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Walnut St Elementary (Cranford) Littlebrook Elementary School (Princeton) Roosevelt Elementary School (Westfield) | Longfellow Elementary School (Boise) Adams Elementary School (Boise) Washington Elementary School (Boise) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Community Middle School (Plainsboro) Grover Middle School (Princeton Junction) Cavallini Middle School (Upper Saddle River) | North Junior High School (Boise) Lakeside Middle School (Plummer) Moscow Middle School (Moscow) |
Top 3 High School Schools | High Technology High School (Lincroft) Bergen County Academies (Hackensack) Princeton High School (Princeton) | Boise High School (Boise) Renaissance High School (Meridian) McCall-Donnelly High School (McCall) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Lawrenceville School (Lawrenceville) The Pingry School (Basking Ridge) Newark Academy (Livingston) | The Ambrose School (Meridian) Bishop Kelly High School (Boise) Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy (Coeur d'Alene) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Princeton Day School (Princeton) Morristown-Beard School (Morristown) Rutgers Preparatory School (Somerset) | The Sage School (Hailey) Riverstone International School (Boise) The Ambrose School (Meridian) |
Top 3 School Districts | Princeton Public Schools Millburn Township Schools Summit Public Schools | Boise School District Blaine County School District Moscow School District |
How Much Do New Jersey to Idaho Movers Cost?
Moving 2,493 miles from New Jersey to Idaho will typically cost between $4,000 and $9,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $4,000 - $9,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 3-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Valley Custom Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,616 | 300 ft3 | $8.72 |
1 Bedroom | $3,901 | 450 ft3 | $8.67 |
2 Bedrooms | $6,465 | 750 ft3 | $8.62 |
3 Bedrooms | $9,426 | 1100 ft3 | $8.57 |
4 Bedrooms | $13,631 | 1600 ft3 | $8.52 |
5+ Bedrooms | $15,245 | 1800 ft3 | $8.47 |
Top New Jersey to Idaho Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best New Jersey to Idaho movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.