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New Jersey to Massachusetts Moving Guide

Updated June 22, 2025

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Planning a 278 mile interstate move from New Jersey to Massachusetts? This moving guide will help you compare living in New Jersey vs Massachusetts across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high property taxes vs lower property taxes), food & health (like Taylor Ham/Pork Roll vs Clam Chowder), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs colonial, victorian), 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 Clam Chowder & Lobster Roll
  • Massachusetts housing costs are 19% more expensive than they are in New Jersey
  • Rent in Massachusetts is 3.56% more expensive than in New Jersey
  • Moving from New Jersey to Massachusetts will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,000
  • Our top recommended New Jersey to Massachusetts movers is Paradise Moving & Storage

New Jersey to Massachusetts Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from New Jersey to Massachusetts

ConsNew Jersey iconNew Jersey
  • High property taxes
  • Dense urban areas
  • Congested traffic
  • Extreme winter storms
ProsMassachusetts iconMassachusetts
  • Lower property taxes
  • Historic charm
  • Efficient public transit
  • Milder winters

Massachusetts iconMassachusetts
  • Farther from major cities
  • Colder beaches
  • Fewer food options
  • Less cultural diversity
New Jersey iconNew Jersey
  • Proximity to NYC
  • Beautiful beaches
  • Diverse cuisine
  • Rich history

Pros of moving from New Jersey to Massachusetts

  • Say goodbye to high property taxes and hello to lower property taxes
  • Look forward to moving away from dense urban areas and moving to Massachusetts with historic charm
  • Swap the congested traffic of New Jersey for efficient public transit in Massachusetts
  • Get ready for milder winters in Massachusetts

Cons of moving from New Jersey to Massachusetts

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from proximity to NYC in New Jersey to live farther from major cities in Massachusetts
  • You'll lose out on the pro of beautiful beaches and have to settle for the con of colder beaches
  • Time to bid farewell to diverse cuisine and get used to fewer food options in Massachusetts
  • Swap rich history for less cultural diversity

New Jersey vs. Massachusetts: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonNew JerseyMassachusetts
Most iconic local food itemTaylor Ham/Pork RollClam Chowder
Most popular meat dishItalian Hot DogLobster Roll
Most popular street food itemSalt Water TaffyFried Clams
Most popular vegan foodVegan PizzaVegan Chowder
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Union Oyster House
  • Legal Sea Foods
  • Neptune Oyster
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from New Jersey to Massachusetts, you will be trading the iconic Taylor Ham/Pork Roll of New Jersey for the equally delicious Clam Chowder of Massachusetts. And while the locals in New Jersey rave about their flavorful Italian Hot Dog and sumptuous Salt Water Taffy, Massachusetts residents know they have tasty Lobster Roll and Fried Clams 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 Vegan Chowder of Massachusetts. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic New Jersey eateries like Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, White House Subs, and Chez Catherine. After the boxes are unpacked in Massachusetts, don't wait too long before making your way to Massachusetts' acclaimed eateries like Union Oyster House, Legal Sea Foods, and Neptune Oyster.

When comparing lifestyles, Massachusetts shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than New Jersey. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Massachusetts compared to what you are used to in New Jersey. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Massachusetts.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New Jersey and Massachusetts

ComparisonNew JerseyMassachusetts
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, Cape CodColonial, Victorian
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingProximity to NYC, spacious yardsAccess to public transportation, historic charm
  • The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that New Jersey is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Victorian architecture typical of Massachusetts.
  • Compared to New Jersey's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to NYC and spacious yards, Massachusetts real estate listings often highlight features like access to public transportation and historic charm.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Massachusetts is more walkable than New Jersey.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Massachusetts is more bike-friendly than New Jersey.
  • Massachusetts has more of an urban feel than New Jersey.
  • Massachusetts housing costs are 19% more expensive than they are in New Jersey, with a median home price of $612,509 compared to New Jersey’s $512,908.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Massachusetts have increased by 46% compared to a 50% increase in New Jersey.
  • Rent in Massachusetts is 3.56% more expensive than in New Jersey.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New Jersey and Massachusetts

ComparisonNew JerseyMassachusetts
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersHurricanes, nor'eastersNor'easters, blizzards
Air QualityModerateGood
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85/6682/62
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)40/2237/18
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4748
Annual Snowfall (Inches)2351
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from New Jersey to Massachusetts. Massachusetts gets 3% fewer sunshine days than New Jersey.
  • Massachusetts 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 nor'easters and blizzards in Massachusetts.
  • The average summer high temperature in Massachusetts is 3 degrees colder than in New Jersey.
  • The average winter lows are 4 degrees colder than they are in New Jersey.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Massachusetts. Massachusetts receives 1 more inch of rain compared to New Jersey.

Financial & Community Snapshot: New Jersey and Massachusetts

ComparisonNew JerseyMassachusetts
Avg. Household Income$96,346$94,488
Cost of Living Index129.7121.55
State Income Tax5.53%5.00%
Avg. Property Tax2.42%1.23%
Avg. Sales Tax6.63%6.25%
Top 3 IndustriesFinance, Healthcare, ManufacturingEducation, Healthcare, Biotechnology
AffluenceHighModerate
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessIncreasingStable
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Massachusetts tend to earn about 2% less than in New Jersey
  • The COLI in Massachusetts will be 6% lower than what you are used to living in New Jersey
  • The state income tax in MA is 5.00% compared to 5.53% in NJ
  • The affluence in Massachusetts is moderate compared to high in New Jersey
  • The poverty level is low in Massachusetts compared to moderate in New Jersey
  • In terms of homelessness, it is increasing in New Jersey and stable in Massachusetts

Political and Religious Climate in New Jersey vs. Massachusetts

ComparisonNew JerseyMassachusetts
Political Make-upDemocratic-leaningDemocratic-stronghold
Local PoliticsMixed urban & suburban policiesProgressive urban policies
ReligionMultifaceted, with a mix of Catholics, Protestants, Jews, MuslimsPrimarily Catholic, but with a diverse range of faiths present
  • New Jersey tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
  • Massachusetts, on the other hand, is often described as a Democratic stronghold
  • Massachusetts' religious environment can be described as primarily Catholic but with a diverse range of faiths present
  • New Jersey's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as multifaceted, with a mix of Catholics, Protestants, Jews, and Muslims

Education Guide When Moving from New Jersey to Massachusetts

ComparisonNew JerseyMassachusetts
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)Rutgers University
Princeton University
The College of New Jersey
Harvard University
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Boston University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsLittlebrook Elementary School (Princeton)
Hilldale Elementary School (Pine Brook)
Wandell School (Saddle River)
Joseph Estabrook School (Lexington)
John D. Hardy School (Wellesley)
Vinson-Owen Elementary School (Winchester)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsThomas Grover Middle School (West Windsor)
Community Middle School (Plainsboro)
William Annin Middle School (Basking Ridge)
William Diamond Middle School (Lexington)
Jonas Clarke Middle School (Lexington)
Wayland Middle School (Wayland)
Top 3 High SchoolsHigh Technology High School (Lincroft)
Bergen County Academies (Hackensack)
Union County Magnet High School (Scotch Plains)
Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science (Worcester)
Lexington High School (Lexington)
Boston Latin School (Boston)
Top 3 private high schoolsThe Lawrenceville School (Lawrenceville)
The Pingry School (Basking Ridge)
Delbarton School (Morristown)
Phillips Academy (Andover)
Groton School (Groton)
Noble and Greenough School (Dedham)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Pennington School (Pennington)
Morristown-Beard School (Morristown)
Rutgers Preparatory School (Somerset)
Phillips Academy (Andover)
Milton Academy (Milton)
The Winsor School (Boston)
Top 3 School DistrictsMillburn Township School District
Princeton Public Schools
West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District
Weston Public Schools
Lexington Public Schools
Wayland Public Schools

How Much Do New Jersey to Massachusetts Movers Cost?

Moving 278 miles from New Jersey to Massachusetts will typically cost between $1,500 and $4,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $1,500 - $4,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-6 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Centaur Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,156300 ft3$3.85
1 Bedroom$1,715450 ft3$3.81
2 Bedrooms$2,826750 ft3$3.77
3 Bedrooms$4,0991100 ft3$3.73
4 Bedrooms$5,8941600 ft3$3.68
5+ Bedrooms$6,5541800 ft3$3.64

Top New Jersey to Massachusetts Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best New Jersey to Massachusetts movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Paradise Moving & Storage featured image

Paradise Moving & Storage

Best moving company overall for New Jersey to Massachusetts

9.71/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Stairhopper Movers featured image

Stairhopper Movers

9.66/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Big G Movers, INC featured image

Big G Movers, INC

9.54/10
ExceptionalView details