New Jersey to Missouri Moving Guide
Updated June 9, 2025

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
- High cost of living
- Busy lifestyle
- Traffic congestion
- Harsh winters
- More affordable housing
- Slower pace
- Less traffic
- Milder winters
- Less urban amenities
- No ocean coastline
- Varied school quality
- Fewer multi-cultural restaurants
- 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
Comparison | New Jersey | Missouri |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Taylor Ham/Pork Roll | St. Louis-style BBQ |
Most popular meat dish | Italian Hot Dogs | Smoked Ribs |
Most popular street food item | Salt Water Taffy | Toasted Ravioli |
Most popular vegan food | Impossible Burger | BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich |
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 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
Comparison | New Jersey | Missouri |
---|---|---|
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, Commuter trains | Spacious 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 Jerseyβs $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
Comparison | New Jersey | Missouri |
---|---|---|
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) | 85/66 | 89/68 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40/25 | 42/23 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 47 | 42 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 24 | 20 |
- 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
Comparison | New Jersey | Missouri |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $96,346 | $64,811 |
Cost of Living Index | 129.7 | 91.8 |
State Income Tax | 4.5 - 10.75% | 0 - 5.4% |
Avg. Property Tax | 2.3% | 1.0% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.63% | 8.25% |
Top 3 Industries | Finance, Healthcare, Technology | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Healthcare |
Affluence | Wealthy | Moderate |
Poverty | Lower | Average |
Homelessness | Moderate | Lower |
- 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
Comparison | New Jersey | Missouri |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Lean Republican |
Local Politics | Liberal policies in urban areas | Conservative policies predominant |
Religion | Diverse; Catholic and Jewish communities | Primarily 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
Comparison | New Jersey | Missouri |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Rutgers University; Princeton University; Montclair State University | University of Missouri; Missouri State University; Washington University in St. Louis |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Littlebrook Elementary School Princeton; Millburn Elementary School Millburn; Princeton Charter School Princeton | Conway Elementary Ladue; Wilson School Clayton; Old Bonhomme Elementary Olivette |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Thomas 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 Schools | High 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 schools | Delbarton 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 schools | The 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 Districts | Princeton Public Schools; Millburn Township Schools; West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District | Ladue 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,795 | 300 ft3 | $5.98 |
1 Bedroom | $2,670 | 450 ft3 | $5.93 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,412 | 750 ft3 | $5.88 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,416 | 1100 ft3 | $5.83 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,253 | 1600 ft3 | $5.78 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,320 | 1800 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.

Sunrise Moving and Packing, LLC
Best moving company overall for New Jersey to Missouri