New Jersey to Kentucky Moving Guide
Updated June 6, 2025

Planning a 682 mile interstate move from New Jersey to Kentucky? This moving guide will help you compare living in New Jersey vs Kentucky across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower cost of living), food & health (like Taylor Ham/Pork Roll vs Kentucky Fried Chicken), real estate & housing (colonial, victorian vs colonial, 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 Dogs, but get your taste buds ready for Kentucky Fried Chicken & Hot Brown
- Kentucky housing costs are 61% less expensive than they are in New Jersey
- Rent in Kentucky is 46.60% more affordable than in New Jersey
- Moving from New Jersey to Kentucky will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
- Our top recommended New Jersey to Kentucky movers is Big G Movers, INC
New Jersey to Kentucky Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from New Jersey to Kentucky
- High cost of living
- Heavy traffic congestion
- Dense population
- High taxes
- Cold winters
- Lower cost of living
- Less traffic
- More open spaces
- Lower taxes
- Milder climate
- Fewer cultural events
- No beach access
- Limited public transportation
- Less dining variety
- Fewer high-tech jobs
- Rich cultural scene
- Beach access
- Public transportation
- Diverse cuisine
- Job opportunities
Pros of moving from New Jersey to Kentucky
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to the lower cost of living
- Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic congestion and moving to Kentucky with less traffic
- Swap the dense population of New Jersey for more open spaces in Kentucky
- Get ready for lower taxes in Kentucky
Cons of moving from New Jersey to Kentucky
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the rich cultural scene in New Jersey to live with fewer cultural events in Kentucky
- You'll lose out on the pro of beach access and have to settle with the con of no beach access
- Time to bid farewell to public transportation and get used to limited public transportation in Kentucky
- Swap diverse cuisine for less dining variety
New Jersey vs. Kentucky: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | New Jersey | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Taylor Ham/Pork Roll | Kentucky Fried Chicken |
Most popular meat dish | Italian Hot Dogs | Hot Brown |
Most popular street food item | Salt Water Taffy | Burgoo |
Most popular vegan food | Roasted Veggie Subs | Fried Green Tomatoes |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
|
|
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 Kentucky, you will be trading the iconic Taylor Ham/Pork Roll of New Jersey for the equally delicious Kentucky Fried Chicken of Kentucky. And while the locals in New Jersey rave about their flavorful Italian Hot Dogs and sumptuous Salt Water Taffy, Kentucky residents know they have tasty Hot Brown and Burgoo to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Roasted Veggie Subs they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Fried Green Tomatoes of Kentucky. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic New Jersey eateries like White Manna, Carlo's Bakery, and Dinosaur Bar-B-Que. After the boxes are unpacked in Kentucky, don't wait too long before making your way to Kentucky's acclaimed eateries like Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn, Jack Fry's, and Proof on Main.
When comparing lifestyles, Kentucky shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than New Jersey. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Kentucky, compared to what you are used to in New Jersey. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Kentucky.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New Jersey and Kentucky
Comparison | New Jersey | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Victorian | Colonial, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Proximity to NYC, public transportation | Large yards, scenic views |
- The Colonial and Victorian architecture that New Jersey is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Craftsman architecture typical of Kentucky.
- Compared to New Jersey's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to NYC and public transportation, Kentucky real estate listings often highlight features like large yards and scenic views.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Kentucky is less walkable than New Jersey.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Kentucky is less bike-friendly than New Jersey.
- Kentucky has less of an urban feel than New Jersey.
- Kentucky housing costs are 61% less expensive than they are in New Jersey, with a median home price of $201,332 compared to New Jerseyβs $512,908.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Kentucky have increased by 47% compared to a 50% increase in New Jersey.
- Rent in Kentucky is 46.60% more affordable than in New Jersey.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New Jersey and Kentucky
Comparison | New Jersey | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
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, Floods |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 66Β°F | 87Β°F / 67Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40Β°F / 25Β°F | 44Β°F / 28Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 47" | 50" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 23" | 11" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from New Jersey to Kentucky. Kentucky gets 5% fewer sunshine days than New Jersey.
- Kentucky 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 floods in Kentucky.
- The average summer high temperature in Kentucky is 2 degrees warmer than in New Jersey.
- The average winter lows are 3 degrees warmer than they are in New Jersey.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Kentucky. Kentucky receives 3 more inches of rain compared to New Jersey.
Financial & Community Snapshot: New Jersey and Kentucky
Comparison | New Jersey | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $96,346 | $59,341 |
Cost of Living Index | 129.7 | 87.8 |
State Income Tax | 5.53% | 5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 2.2% | 0.8% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.63% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Finance, Pharmaceuticals, Technology | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Healthcare |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Higher |
Homelessness | Concerning | Less prevalent |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Kentucky tend to earn about 38% less than in New Jersey
- The COLI in Kentucky will be 32% lower than what you are used to living in New Jersey
- The state income tax in KY is 5% compared to 5.53% in NJ
- The affluence in Kentucky is moderate compared to high in New Jersey
- The poverty level is higher in Kentucky compared to moderate in New Jersey
- In terms of homelessness, it is concerning in New Jersey and less prevalent in Kentucky
Political and Religious Climate in New Jersey vs. Kentucky
Comparison | New Jersey | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Lean Republican |
Local Politics | Diverse, urban-centric issues | Rural and suburban priorities |
Religion | Catholic, Jewish | Baptist, Evangelical |
- New Jersey tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Kentucky, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Republican
- Kentucky's religious environment can be described as Baptist and Evangelical
- New Jersey's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Catholic and Jewish
Education Guide When Moving from New Jersey to Kentucky
Comparison | New Jersey | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Rutgers University Princeton University New Jersey Institute of Technology | University of Kentucky University of Louisville Western Kentucky University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Littlebrook Elementary School (Princeton) Princeton Charter School (Princeton) Wandell School (Saddle River) | Greathouse Shryock Traditional Elementary School (Louisville) Brandeis Elementary School (Louisville) Stopher Elementary School (Louisville) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Thomas Grover Middle School (West Windsor) Community Middle School (Plainsboro) Millburn Middle School (Millburn) | Barret Traditional Middle School (Louisville) DuPont Manual High School (operates middle through high school Louisville) Meyzeek Middle School (Louisville) |
Top 3 High Schools | High Technology High School (Lincroft) Bergen County Academies (Hackensack) Princeton High School (Princeton) | DuPont Manual High School (Louisville) Highlands High School (Fort Thomas) Beechwood High School (Fort Mitchell) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Lawrenceville School (Lawrenceville) The Pingry School (Basking Ridge) Delbarton School (Morristown) | Louisville Collegiate School (Louisville) The Sayre School (Lexington) Trinity High School (Louisville) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Pennington School (Pennington) Rutgers Preparatory School (Somerset) Newark Academy (Livingston) | The Lexington School (Lexington) Christian Academy of Louisville (Louisville) St. Xavier High School (Louisville) |
Top 3 School Districts | Princeton Public Schools Millburn Township Schools Summit Public Schools | Oldham County Schools Fort Thomas Independent Schools Beechwood Independent School District |
How Much Do New Jersey to Kentucky Movers Cost?
Moving 682 miles from New Jersey to Kentucky 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: 2.5-6 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Smooth Move Relocation Services
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,589 | 300 ft3 | $5.30 |
1 Bedroom | $2,361 | 450 ft3 | $5.25 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,898 | 750 ft3 | $5.20 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,662 | 1100 ft3 | $5.15 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,155 | 1600 ft3 | $5.10 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,085 | 1800 ft3 | $5.05 |
Top New Jersey to Kentucky Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best New Jersey to Kentucky movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

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