New Jersey to Montana Moving Guide
Updated June 17, 2025

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
- High cost of living
- Heavy traffic
- Dense population
- Harsh winters
- Lack of privacy
- Affordable housing
- Less congestion
- Open spaces
- Mild summers
- Greater seclusion
- Remote living
- Limited nightlife
- Less diversity
- Car-dependent
- No ocean access
- 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
Comparison | New Jersey | Montana |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Taylor Ham/Pork Roll | Huckleberry Pie |
Most popular meat dish | Italian Hot Dogs | Bison Steak |
Most popular street food item | Salt Water Taffy | Elk Burgers |
Most popular vegan food | Vegan Pizza | Lentil Burgers |
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 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
Comparison | New Jersey | Montana |
---|---|---|
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, Hardwood Floors | Mountain 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 Jerseyβs $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
Comparison | New Jersey | Montana |
---|---|---|
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 | Wildfires, Severe Snowstorms |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Generally Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F/66Β°F | 82Β°F/50Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40Β°F/25Β°F | 34Β°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
Comparison | New Jersey | Montana |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $96,346 | $67,631 |
Cost of Living Index | 129.7 | 99.4 |
State Income Tax | 1.4% - 10.75% | 1% - 6.9% |
Avg. Property Tax | 2.21% | 0.83% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.63% | 0% |
Top 3 Industries | Finance, Pharmaceuticals, Telecommunications | Agriculture, Tourism, Mining |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Higher |
Homelessness | Moderate | Lower |
- 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
Comparison | New Jersey | Montana |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Lean Republican |
Local Politics | Urban & Suburban, diverse interests | Rural & Conservation-focused |
Religion | Mixed, with significant Catholic and Jewish communities | Primarily 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
Comparison | New Jersey | Montana |
---|---|---|
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 Schools | Littlebrook Elementary School (Princeton) Waldwick School (Waldwick) Central School (Warren) | Hawthorne Elementary School (Bozeman) Cold Springs Elementary School (Missoula) Arrowhead School (Pray) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Community 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 Schools | High 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 schools | The 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 schools | Delbarton School (Morristown) Newark Academy (Livingston) Dwight-Englewood School (Englewood) | Petra Academy (Bozeman) Missoula International School (Missoula) Stillwater Christian School (Kalispell) |
Top 3 School Districts | Princeton 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,409 | 300 ft3 | $8.03 |
1 Bedroom | $3,592 | 450 ft3 | $7.98 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,949 | 750 ft3 | $7.93 |
3 Bedrooms | $8,670 | 1100 ft3 | $7.88 |
4 Bedrooms | $12,531 | 1600 ft3 | $7.83 |
5+ Bedrooms | $14,007 | 1800 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.

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