Movers

New Jersey to Missouri Moving Guide

Updated June 9, 2025

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Planning a 1,045 mile interstate move from New Jersey to Missouri? This moving guide will help you compare living in New Jersey vs Missouri across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs more affordable housing), food & health (like Taylor Ham/Pork Roll vs St. Louis-style BBQ), 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 Taylor Ham/Pork Roll and Italian Hot Dogs, but get your taste buds ready for St. Louis-style BBQ & Smoked Ribs
  • Missouri housing costs are 53% less expensive than they are in New Jersey
  • Rent in Missouri is 45.56% more affordable than in New Jersey
  • Moving from New Jersey to Missouri will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
  • Our top recommended New Jersey to Missouri movers is Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC

New Jersey to Missouri Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from New Jersey to Missouri

ConsNew Jersey iconNew Jersey
  • High cost of living
  • Busy lifestyle
  • Traffic congestion
  • Harsh winters
ProsMissouri iconMissouri
  • More affordable housing
  • Slower pace
  • Less traffic
  • Milder winters

Missouri iconMissouri
  • Less urban amenities
  • No ocean coastline
  • Varied school quality
  • Fewer multi-cultural restaurants
New Jersey iconNew Jersey
  • Close to NYC
  • Shore access
  • High-quality schools
  • Diverse dining options

Pros of moving from New Jersey to Missouri

  • Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to more affordable housing
  • Look forward to moving away from a busy lifestyle and moving to Missouri with a slower pace
  • Swap the traffic congestion of New Jersey for less traffic in Missouri
  • Get ready for milder winters in Missouri

Cons of moving from New Jersey to Missouri

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from being close to NYC in New Jersey to live with fewer urban amenities in Missouri
  • You'll lose out on the pro of shore access and have to settle for the con of no ocean coastline
  • Time to bid farewell to high-quality schools and get used to varied school quality in Missouri
  • Swap diverse dining options for fewer multicultural restaurants

New Jersey vs. Missouri: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonNew JerseyMissouri
Most iconic local food itemTaylor Ham/Pork RollSt. Louis-style BBQ
Most popular meat dishItalian Hot DogsSmoked Ribs
Most popular street food itemSalt Water TaffyToasted Ravioli
Most popular vegan foodImpossible BurgerBBQ Jackfruit Sandwich
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Carlo's Bakery
  • White House Sub Shop
  • Dinosaur Bar-B-Que
  • Pappy's Smokehouse
  • Sugarfire Smoke House
  • The Hill
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 Missouri, you will be trading the iconic Taylor Ham/Pork Roll of New Jersey for the equally delicious St. Louis-style BBQ of Missouri. And while the locals in New Jersey rave about their flavorful Italian Hot Dogs and sumptuous Salt Water Taffy, Missouri residents know they have tasty Smoked Ribs and Toasted Ravioli to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Impossible Burger they've grown to love, they can get ready for the BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich of Missouri. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic New Jersey eateries like Carlo's Bakery, White House Sub Shop, and Dinosaur Bar-B-Que. After the boxes are unpacked in Missouri, don't wait too long before making your way to Missouri's acclaimed eateries like Pappy's Smokehouse, Sugarfire Smoke House, and The Hill.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New Jersey and Missouri

ComparisonNew JerseyMissouri
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, VictorianRanch, Craftsman
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, Commuter trainsSpacious yards, Quiet communities
  • The Colonial and Victorian architecture that New Jersey is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Craftsman architecture typical of Missouri.
  • Compared to New Jersey's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to NYC and commuter trains, Missouri real estate listings often highlight features like spacious yards and quiet communities.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Missouri is less walkable than New Jersey.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Missouri is less bike-friendly than New Jersey.
  • Missouri has less of an urban feel than New Jersey.
  • Missouri housing costs are 53% less expensive than they are in New Jersey, with a median home price of $243,216 compared to New Jersey’s $512,908.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Missouri have increased by 49% compared to a 50% increase in New Jersey.
  • Rent in Missouri is 45.56% more affordable than in New Jersey.

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

ComparisonNew JerseyMissouri
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'eastersTornadoes, floods
Air QualityGood to ModerateGood to Moderate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85/6689/68
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)40/2542/23
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4742
Annual Snowfall (Inches)2420
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from New Jersey to Missouri. Missouri gets 4% more sunshine days than New Jersey.
  • Missouri 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 Missouri.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Missouri is 4 degrees warmer than in New Jersey.
  • The average winter lows are 2 degrees colder in Missouri than they are in New Jersey.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Missouri. Missouri receives 5 fewer inches of rain compared to New Jersey.

Financial & Community Snapshot: New Jersey and Missouri

ComparisonNew JerseyMissouri
Avg. Household Income$96,346$64,811
Cost of Living Index129.791.8
State Income Tax4.5 - 10.75%0 - 5.4%
Avg. Property Tax2.3%1.0%
Avg. Sales Tax6.63%8.25%
Top 3 IndustriesFinance, Healthcare, TechnologyAgriculture, Manufacturing, Healthcare
AffluenceWealthyModerate
PovertyLowerAverage
HomelessnessModerateLower
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Missouri tend to earn about 33% less than those in New Jersey
  • The COLI in Missouri will be 29% lower than what you are used to living in New Jersey
  • The state income tax in MO is 0 - 5.4% compared to 4.5 - 10.75% in NJ
  • The affluence in Missouri is moderate compared to wealthy in New Jersey
  • The poverty level is average in Missouri compared to lower in New Jersey
  • In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in New Jersey and lower in Missouri

Political and Religious Climate in New Jersey vs. Missouri

ComparisonNew JerseyMissouri
Political Make-upLean DemocraticLean Republican
Local PoliticsLiberal policies in urban areasConservative policies predominant
ReligionDiverse; Catholic and Jewish communitiesPrimarily Protestant with strong evangelical presence
  • New Jersey tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
  • Missouri, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Republican
  • Missouri's religious environment can be described as primarily Protestant with a strong evangelical presence
  • New Jersey's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse, including Catholic and Jewish communities

Education Guide When Moving from New Jersey to Missouri

ComparisonNew JerseyMissouri
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)Rutgers University; Princeton University; Montclair State UniversityUniversity of Missouri; Missouri State University; Washington University in St. Louis
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsLittlebrook Elementary School
Princeton; Millburn Elementary School
Millburn; Princeton Charter School
Princeton
Conway Elementary
Ladue; Wilson School
Clayton; Old Bonhomme Elementary
Olivette
Top 3 Middle SchoolsThomas Grover Middle School
West Windsor; Community Middle School
Plainsboro; Princeton Charter School
Princeton
John Burroughs School
Ladue; Ladue Middle School
Ladue; Pembroke Hill School
Kansas City
Top 3 High SchoolsHigh Technology High School
Lincroft; Bergen County Academies
Hackensack; Princeton High School
Princeton
Ladue Horton Watkins High
Ladue; Clayton High School
Clayton; Pembroke Hill School
Kansas City
Top 3 private high schoolsDelbarton School
Morristown; The Pingry School
Basking Ridge; Newark Academy
Livingston
Thomas Jefferson School
Sunset Hills; John Burroughs School
Ladue; Pembroke Hill School
Kansas City
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Pingry School
Basking Ridge; Newark Academy
Livingston; Morristown-Beard School
Morristown
Pembroke Hill School
Kansas City; John Burroughs School
Ladue; The Barstow School
Kansas City
Top 3 School DistrictsPrinceton Public Schools; Millburn Township Schools; West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School DistrictLadue School District; Clayton School District; Parkway School District

How Much Do New Jersey to Missouri Movers Cost?

Moving 1,045 miles from New Jersey to Missouri will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 3-9 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Express Haulers
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,795300 ft3$5.98
1 Bedroom$2,670450 ft3$5.93
2 Bedrooms$4,412750 ft3$5.88
3 Bedrooms$6,4161100 ft3$5.83
4 Bedrooms$9,2531600 ft3$5.78
5+ Bedrooms$10,3201800 ft3$5.73

Top New Jersey to Missouri Movers

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

TOP PICK
Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC featured image

Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC

Best moving company overall for New Jersey to Missouri

9.62/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Big G Movers, INC featured image

Big G Movers, INC

9.54/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Cimply Labor, LLC featured image

Cimply Labor, LLC

9.39/10
ExceptionalView details