Movers

New Jersey to Montana Moving Guide

Updated June 17, 2025

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Planning a 2,129 mile interstate move from New Jersey to Montana? This moving guide will help you compare living in New Jersey vs Montana across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs affordable housing), food & health (like Taylor Ham/Pork Roll vs Huckleberry 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 Taylor Ham/Pork Roll and Italian Hot Dogs, but get your taste buds ready for Huckleberry Pie & Bison Steak
  • Montana housing costs are 11% less expensive than they are in New Jersey
  • Rent in Montana is 42.51% more affordable than in New Jersey
  • Moving from New Jersey to Montana will cost on average between $2,500 - $8,500
  • Our top recommended New Jersey to Montana movers is Big G Movers, INC

New Jersey to Montana Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from New Jersey to Montana

ConsNew Jersey iconNew Jersey
  • High cost of living
  • Heavy traffic
  • Dense population
  • Harsh winters
  • Lack of privacy
ProsMontana iconMontana
  • Affordable housing
  • Less congestion
  • Open spaces
  • Mild summers
  • Greater seclusion

Montana iconMontana
  • Remote living
  • Limited nightlife
  • Less diversity
  • Car-dependent
  • No ocean access
New Jersey iconNew Jersey
  • Close to NYC
  • Vibrant nightlife
  • Diverse culture
  • Extensive public transport
  • Coastal beaches

Pros of moving from New Jersey to Montana

  • Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to affordable housing
  • Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic and moving to Montana with less congestion
  • Swap the dense population of New Jersey for open spaces in Montana
  • Get ready for mild summers in Montana

Cons of moving from New Jersey to Montana

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from close to NYC in New Jersey to live with remote living in Montana
  • You'll lose out on the pro of vibrant nightlife and have to settle for the con of limited nightlife
  • Time to bid farewell to diverse culture and get used to less diversity in Montana
  • Swap extensive public transport for a car-dependent lifestyle

New Jersey vs. Montana: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonNew JerseyMontana
Most iconic local food itemTaylor Ham/Pork RollHuckleberry Pie
Most popular meat dishItalian Hot DogsBison Steak
Most popular street food itemSalt Water TaffyElk Burgers
Most popular vegan foodVegan PizzaLentil Burgers
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Don's Deli
  • Carlo's Bakery
  • Dinosaur Bar-B-Que
  • The 406 Grill
  • Mackenzie River Pizza
  • Cattleman's Cut Steakhouse
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 Montana, you will be trading the iconic Taylor Ham/Pork Roll of New Jersey for the equally delicious Huckleberry Pie of Montana. And while the locals in New Jersey rave about their flavorful Italian Hot Dogs and sumptuous Salt Water Taffy, Montana residents know they have tasty Bison Steak and Elk Burgers 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 Lentil Burgers of Montana. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic New Jersey eateries like Don's Deli, Carlo's Bakery, and Dinosaur Bar-B-Que. After the boxes are unpacked in Montana, don't wait too long before making your way to Montana's acclaimed eateries like The 406 Grill, Mackenzie River Pizza, and Cattleman's Cut Steakhouse.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New Jersey and Montana

ComparisonNew JerseyMontana
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, Hardwood FloorsMountain Views, Open Spaces
  • The Colonial and Victorian architecture that New Jersey is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Craftsman architecture typical of Montana.
  • Compared to New Jersey's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to NYC and hardwood floors, Montana real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and open spaces.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Montana is less walkable than New Jersey.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Montana is more bike-friendly than New Jersey.
  • Montana has less of an urban feel than New Jersey.
  • Montana housing costs are 11% less expensive than they are in New Jersey, with a median home price of $456,199 compared to New Jersey’s $512,908.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Montana have increased by 71% compared to a 50% increase in New Jersey.
  • Rent in Montana is 42.51% more affordable than in New Jersey.

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

ComparisonNew JerseyMontana
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'eastersWildfires, Severe Snowstorms
Air QualityGood to ModerateGenerally Good
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F/66Β°F82Β°F/50Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)40Β°F/25Β°F34Β°F/17Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)47"15"-20"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)23"90"
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from New Jersey to Montana. Montana gets 9% fewer sunshine days than New Jersey.
  • Montana has lower 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 wildfires and severe snowstorms in Montana.
  • The average summer high temperature in Montana is 3 degrees colder than in New Jersey.
  • The average winter lows are 8 degrees colder than they are in New Jersey.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Montana. Montana receives 32 fewer inches of rain compared to New Jersey.

Financial & Community Snapshot: New Jersey and Montana

ComparisonNew JerseyMontana
Avg. Household Income$96,346$67,631
Cost of Living Index129.799.4
State Income Tax1.4% - 10.75%1% - 6.9%
Avg. Property Tax2.21%0.83%
Avg. Sales Tax6.63%0%
Top 3 IndustriesFinance, Pharmaceuticals, TelecommunicationsAgriculture, Tourism, Mining
AffluenceHighModerate
PovertyModerateHigher
HomelessnessModerateLower
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Montana tend to earn about 30% less than in New Jersey
  • The COLI in Montana will be 23% lower than what you are used to living in New Jersey
  • The state income tax in MT is 1% to 6.9% compared to 1.4% to 10.75% in NJ
  • The affluence in Montana is moderate compared to high in New Jersey
  • The poverty level is higher in Montana compared to moderate in New Jersey
  • In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in New Jersey and lower in Montana

Political and Religious Climate in New Jersey vs. Montana

ComparisonNew JerseyMontana
Political Make-upLean DemocraticLean Republican
Local PoliticsUrban & Suburban, diverse interestsRural & Conservation-focused
ReligionMixed, with significant Catholic and Jewish communitiesPrimarily Christian, with a strong Evangelical presence
  • New Jersey tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
  • Montana, on the other hand, is often described as lean Republican
  • Montana's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian with a strong Evangelical presence
  • New Jersey's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mixed with significant Catholic and Jewish communities

Education Guide When Moving from New Jersey to Montana

ComparisonNew JerseyMontana
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)Rutgers University
Princeton University
New Jersey Institute of Technology
University of Montana
Montana State University
Montana Tech
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsLittlebrook Elementary School (Princeton)
Waldwick School (Waldwick)
Central School (Warren)
Hawthorne Elementary School (Bozeman)
Cold Springs Elementary School (Missoula)
Arrowhead School (Pray)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsCommunity Middle School (Plainsboro)
Tenakill Middle School (Closter)
Millburn Middle School (Millburn)
Sacajawea Middle School (Bozeman)
Washington Middle School (Missoula)
C.R. Anderson Middle School (Helena)
Top 3 High SchoolsHigh Technology High School (Lincroft)
Bergen County Academies (Hackensack)
Princeton High School (Princeton)
Bozeman High School (Bozeman)
Hellgate High School (Missoula)
Billings West High School (Billings)
Top 3 private high schoolsThe Lawrenceville School (Lawrenceville)
Newark Academy (Livingston)
The Pingry School (Basking Ridge)
Billings Central Catholic High School (Billings)
Great Falls Central Catholic High School (Great Falls)
Loyola Sacred Heart High School (Missoula)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsDelbarton School (Morristown)
Newark Academy (Livingston)
Dwight-Englewood School (Englewood)
Petra Academy (Bozeman)
Missoula International School (Missoula)
Stillwater Christian School (Kalispell)
Top 3 School DistrictsPrinceton Public Schools
Millburn Township Schools
Summit Public Schools
Bozeman Public Schools
Missoula County Public Schools
Billings Public Schools

How Much Do New Jersey to Montana Movers Cost?

Moving 2,129 miles from New Jersey to Montana will typically cost between $3,500 and $8,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $3,500 - $8,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 3-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Express Haulers
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,409300 ft3$8.03
1 Bedroom$3,592450 ft3$7.98
2 Bedrooms$5,949750 ft3$7.93
3 Bedrooms$8,6701100 ft3$7.88
4 Bedrooms$12,5311600 ft3$7.83
5+ Bedrooms$14,0071800 ft3$7.78

Top New Jersey to Montana Movers

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

TOP PICK
Big G Movers, INC featured image

Big G Movers, INC

Best moving company overall for New Jersey to Montana

9.54/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Cimply Labor, LLC featured image

Cimply Labor, LLC

9.39/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
All Brunswick Moving & Storage featured image

All Brunswick Moving & Storage

9.30/10
ExceptionalView details

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