New Jersey to Indiana Moving Guide
Updated June 17, 2025

Planning a 718 mile interstate move from New Jersey to Indiana? This moving guide will help you compare living in New Jersey vs Indiana across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower living expenses), food & health (like Pork Roll (Taylor Ham) vs Hoosier Pie), real estate & housing (colonial, victorian vs ranch, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in New Jersey), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Pork Roll (Taylor Ham) and Italian Hot Dogs, but get your taste buds ready for Hoosier Pie & Pork Tenderloin Sandwich
- Indiana housing costs are 54% less expensive than they are in New Jersey
- Rent in Indiana is 44.96% more affordable than in New Jersey
- Moving from New Jersey to Indiana will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
- Our top recommended New Jersey to Indiana movers is Big G Movers, INC
New Jersey to Indiana Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from New Jersey to Indiana
- High cost of living
- Heavy traffic congestion
- Dense population
- High property taxes
- Busy lifestyle
- Lower living expenses
- Smoother commutes
- More open spaces
- Affordable housing
- Slower pace of life
- Far from major cities
- Fewer entertainment options
- Limited transit networks
- Less culinary variety
- Landlocked state
- Proximity to NYC
- Diverse cultural scene
- Extensive public transit
- Varied dining options
- Access to beaches
Pros of moving from New Jersey to Indiana
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to lower living expenses
- Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic congestion and moving to Indiana with smoother commutes
- Swap the dense population of New Jersey for more open spaces in Indiana
- Get ready for affordable housing in Indiana
Cons of moving from New Jersey to Indiana
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from proximity to NYC in New Jersey to live far from major cities in Indiana
- You'll lose out on the pro of a diverse cultural scene and have to settle for the con of fewer entertainment options
- Time to bid farewell to extensive public transit and get used to limited transit networks in Indiana
- Swap varied dining options for less culinary variety
New Jersey vs. Indiana: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | New Jersey | Indiana |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pork Roll (Taylor Ham) | Hoosier Pie |
Most popular meat dish | Italian Hot Dogs | Pork Tenderloin Sandwich |
Most popular street food item | Salt Water Taffy | Deep Fried Pickles |
Most popular vegan food | Jersey Fresh Tomato Salad | Seitan Tenderloin |
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 Indiana, you will be trading the iconic Pork Roll (Taylor Ham) of New Jersey for the equally delicious Hoosier Pie of Indiana. And while the locals in New Jersey rave about their flavorful Italian Hot Dogs and sumptuous Salt Water Taffy, Indiana residents know they have tasty Pork Tenderloin Sandwich and Deep Fried Pickles to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Jersey Fresh Tomato Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Seitan Tenderloin of Indiana. 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 Original, and Carlos Bakery. After the boxes are unpacked in Indiana, don't wait too long before making your way to Indiana's acclaimed eateries like St. Elmo Steak House, Blue Sky, and Love Handle.
When comparing lifestyles, Indiana shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than New Jersey. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Indiana compared to what you are used to in New Jersey. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Indiana.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New Jersey and Indiana
Comparison | New Jersey | Indiana |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Victorian | Ranch, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Proximity to NYC, upgraded kitchens | Spacious yards, affordable living |
- The Colonial and Victorian architecture that New Jersey is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Craftsman architecture typical of Indiana.
- Compared to New Jersey's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to NYC and upgraded kitchens, Indiana real estate listings often highlight features like spacious yards and affordable living.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Indiana is less walkable than New Jersey.
- Indiana is similarly bike-friendly to New Jersey.
- Indiana has less of an urban feel than New Jersey.
- Indiana housing costs are 54% less expensive than they are in New Jersey, with a median home price of $236,990 compared to New Jerseyβs $512,908.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Indiana have increased by 54% compared to a 50% increase in New Jersey.
- Rent in Indiana is 44.96% more affordable than in New Jersey.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New Jersey and Indiana
Comparison | New Jersey | Indiana |
---|---|---|
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 | Tornadoes, Severe Storms |
Air Quality | Generally Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85/66 | 85/64 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40/25 | 35/20 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 47 | 42 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 23 | 22 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from New Jersey to Indiana. Indiana gets 10% fewer sunshine days than New Jersey.
- Indiana has higher 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 tornadoes and severe storms in Indiana.
- The average summer high temperature in Indiana is the same as in New Jersey.
- The average winter lows are 5 degrees colder than they are in New Jersey.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Indiana. Indiana receives 5 fewer inches of rain compared to New Jersey.
Financial & Community Snapshot: New Jersey and Indiana
Comparison | New Jersey | Indiana |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $96,346 | $66,785 |
Cost of Living Index | 129.7 | 92.95 |
State Income Tax | 1.4% - 10.75% | 3.23% |
Avg. Property Tax | 2.21% | 0.85% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.625% | 7% |
Top 3 Industries | Finance, Pharmaceuticals, Information Technology | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Indiana tend to earn about 31% less than those in New Jersey
- The COLI in Indiana will be 28% lower than what you are used to living in New Jersey
- The state income tax in IN is 3.23% compared to 1.4% to 10.75% in NJ
- The affluence in Indiana is moderate compared to high in New Jersey
- The poverty level is moderate in Indiana compared to low in New Jersey
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in New Jersey and low in Indiana
Political and Religious Climate in New Jersey vs. Indiana
Comparison | New Jersey | Indiana |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Lean Republican |
Local Politics | Liberal urban centers | Conservative rural areas |
Religion | Diverse, Catholic majority | Protestant majority |
- New Jersey tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Indiana, on the other hand, is often described as lean Republican
- Indiana's religious environment can be described as a Protestant majority
- New Jersey's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse with a Catholic majority
Education Guide When Moving from New Jersey to Indiana
Comparison | New Jersey | Indiana |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Rutgers University Princeton University The College of New Jersey | Indiana University Bloomington Purdue University Ball State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Littlebrook Elementary School - Princeton Princeton Charter School - Princeton Millburn Elementary School - Millburn | Signature School - Evansville West Lafayette Community School - West Lafayette Yorktown Elementary School - Yorktown |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Thomas Grover Middle School - West Windsor Community Middle School - Plainsboro Millburn Middle School - Millburn | West Lafayette Jr/Sr High School - West Lafayette Brown County Junior High School - Nashville Fall Creek Valley Middle School - Indianapolis |
Top 3 High School Schools | High Technology High School - Lincroft Bergen County Academies - Hackensack Millburn High School - Millburn | Signature School - Evansville Carmel High School - Carmel West Lafayette Jr/Sr High School - West Lafayette |
Top 3 private high schools | The Lawrenceville School - Lawrenceville The Pingry School - Basking Ridge Newark Academy - Livingston | Culver Academies - Culver Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School - Indianapolis Park Tudor School - Indianapolis |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Princeton Day School - Princeton The Pingry School - Basking Ridge Newark Academy - Livingston | Traders Point Christian Academy - Whitestown Heritage Christian School - Indianapolis The Orchard School - Indianapolis |
Top 3 School Districts | Princeton Public Schools Millburn Township Schools West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District | Carmel Clay Schools Zionsville Community Schools West Lafayette Community School Corporation |
How Much Do New Jersey to Indiana Movers Cost?
Moving 718 miles from New Jersey to Indiana 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: Express Haulers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,610 | 300 ft3 | $5.37 |
1 Bedroom | $2,392 | 450 ft3 | $5.32 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,949 | 750 ft3 | $5.27 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,737 | 1100 ft3 | $5.22 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,264 | 1600 ft3 | $5.17 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,207 | 1800 ft3 | $5.12 |
Top New Jersey to Indiana Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best New Jersey to Indiana movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

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