New Jersey to North Carolina Moving Guide
Updated June 15, 2025

Planning a 478 mile interstate move from New Jersey to North Carolina? This moving guide will help you compare living in New Jersey vs North Carolina across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower cost of living), food & health (like Taylor Ham/Pork Roll vs Pulled Pork BBQ), real estate & housing (colonial, victorian vs craftsman, colonial), 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 Pulled Pork BBQ & Eastern NC Barbecue
- North Carolina housing costs are 36% less expensive than they are in New Jersey
- Rent in North Carolina is 29.34% more affordable than in New Jersey
- Moving from New Jersey to North Carolina will cost on average between $1,500 - $4,500
- Our top recommended New Jersey to North Carolina movers is Big G Movers, INC
New Jersey to North Carolina Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from New Jersey to North Carolina
- High cost of living
- Heavy traffic congestion
- Cold winters
- High property taxes
- Packed beaches
- Lower cost of living
- Less traffic congestion
- Milder winters
- Lower property taxes
- Less crowded beaches
- Far from major cities
- Fewer high-paying jobs
- Limited arts events
- Limited restaurant variety
- Lack of public transport
- Proximity to NYC
- Diverse job market
- Rich cultural scene
- World-class dining
- Public transport
Pros of moving from New Jersey to North Carolina
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to the lower cost of living
- Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic congestion and moving to North Carolina with less traffic congestion
- Swap the cold winters of New Jersey for milder winters in North Carolina
- Get ready for lower property taxes in North Carolina
Cons of moving from New Jersey to North Carolina
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the proximity to NYC in New Jersey to live far from major cities in North Carolina
- You'll lose out on the pro of a diverse job market and have to settle for the con of fewer high-paying jobs
- Time to bid farewell to the rich cultural scene and get used to limited arts events in North Carolina
- Swap world-class dining for limited restaurant variety
New Jersey vs. North Carolina: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | New Jersey | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Taylor Ham/Pork Roll | Pulled Pork BBQ |
Most popular meat dish | Italian Hot Dog | Eastern NC Barbecue |
Most popular street food item | Salt Water Taffy | Boiled Peanuts |
Most popular vegan food | Vegan Pizza | BBQ Tofu |
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 North Carolina, you will be trading the iconic Taylor Ham/Pork Roll of New Jersey for the equally delicious Pulled Pork BBQ of North Carolina. And while the locals in New Jersey rave about their flavorful Italian Hot Dog and sumptuous Salt Water Taffy, North Carolina residents know they have tasty Eastern NC Barbecue and Boiled Peanuts 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 BBQ Tofu of North Carolina. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic New Jersey eateries like Carlo's Bakery, Don's Deli, and Dinosaur Bar-B-Que. After the boxes are unpacked in North Carolina, don't wait too long before making your way to North Carolina's acclaimed eateries like Lexington Barbecue, Bida Manda, and Brewery Bhavana.
When comparing lifestyles, North Carolina shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than New Jersey. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in North Carolina compared to what you are used to in New Jersey. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in North Carolina.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New Jersey and North Carolina
Comparison | New Jersey | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Victorian | Craftsman, Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Proximity to NYC, quality of schools | Cost of living, natural beauty |
- The Colonial and Victorian architecture that New Jersey is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Colonial architecture typical of North Carolina.
- Compared to New Jersey's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to NYC and the quality of schools, North Carolina real estate listings often highlight features like the cost of living and natural beauty.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; North Carolina is less walkable than New Jersey.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; North Carolina is less bike-friendly than New Jersey.
- North Carolina has less of an urban feel than New Jersey.
- North Carolina housing costs are 36% less expensive than they are in New Jersey, with a median home price of $329,225 compared to New Jerseyβs $512,908.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in North Carolina have increased by 63% compared to a 50% increase in New Jersey.
- Rent in North Carolina is 29.34% more affordable than in New Jersey.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New Jersey and North Carolina
Comparison | New Jersey | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
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, Winter Storms | Hurricanes, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Mostly Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85/66 | 88/68 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40/25 | 50/30 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 47 | 50 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 23 | 5 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from New Jersey to North Carolina. North Carolina gets 3% more sunshine days than New Jersey.
- North Carolina has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to New Jersey.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and winter storms in New Jersey, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and tornadoes in North Carolina.
- The average summer high temperature in North Carolina is 3 degrees warmer than in New Jersey.
- The average winter lows are 5 degrees warmer than they are in New Jersey.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in North Carolina. North Carolina receives 3 more inches of rain compared to New Jersey.
Financial & Community Snapshot: New Jersey and North Carolina
Comparison | New Jersey | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $96,346 | $67,481 |
Cost of Living Index | 129.7 | 95.85 |
State Income Tax | 1.5 - 10.75 | 5.25 |
Avg. Property Tax | 2.21 | 0.85 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.63 | 6.98 |
Top 3 Industries | Finance, Pharmaceuticals, Telecommunications | Aerospace, Biotechnology, Furniture |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Low-Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Moderate | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in North Carolina tend to earn about 30% less than those in New Jersey
- The COLI in North Carolina will be 26% lower than what you are used to while living in New Jersey
- The state income tax in NC is 5.25% compared to 1.5% - 10.75% in NJ
- The affluence in North Carolina is moderate compared to high in New Jersey
- The poverty level is moderate in North Carolina compared to low to moderate in New Jersey
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in New Jersey and moderate in North Carolina
Political and Religious Climate in New Jersey vs. North Carolina
Comparison | New Jersey | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Leans Democratic | Swing State |
Local Politics | Highly urbanized, local issues vary by region | Rural vs. Urban divides, with emphasis on local governance |
Religion | Diverse, with a higher proportion of Catholics | Diverse, with a higher proportion of Protestants |
- New Jersey tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- North Carolina, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state
- North Carolina's religious environment can be described as diverse, with a higher proportion of Protestants
- New Jersey's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse, with a higher proportion of Catholics
Education Guide When Moving from New Jersey to North Carolina
Comparison | New Jersey | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Rutgers University Princeton University The College of New Jersey | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill North Carolina State University Duke University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Littlebrook Elementary School (Princeton) Wandell School (Saddle River) Millburn Elementary School (Millburn) | Endhaven Elementary School (Charlotte) Glen Arden Elementary School (Arden) Morrisville Elementary School (Morrisville) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Community Middle School (Plainsboro) Thomas R. Grover Middle School (Princeton Junction) Millburn Middle School (Millburn) | Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy (Charlotte) Jay M. Robinson Middle School (Charlotte) Ligon Middle School (Raleigh) |
Top 3 High Schools | High Technology High School (Lincroft) Bergen County Academies (Hackensack) Dr. Ronald E. McNair Academic High School (Jersey City) | North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (Durham) Raleigh Charter High School (Raleigh) Early College at Guilford (Greensboro) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Lawrenceville School (Lawrenceville) The Pingry School (Basking Ridge) Newark Academy (Livingston) | Charlotte Latin School (Charlotte) Providence Day School (Charlotte) Greensboro Day School (Greensboro) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Princeton Day School (Princeton) Montclair Kimberley Academy (Montclair) The Morristown-Beard School (Morristown) | Cary Academy (Cary) Durham Academy (Durham) Charlotte Country Day School (Charlotte) |
Top 3 School Districts | Princeton Public Schools Millburn Township Schools Summit Public Schools | Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Union County Public Schools Wake County Public School System |
How Much Do New Jersey to North Carolina Movers Cost?
Moving 478 miles from New Jersey to North Carolina will typically cost between $2,000 and $4,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $4,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Express Haulers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,252 | 300 ft3 | $4.17 |
1 Bedroom | $1,860 | 450 ft3 | $4.13 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,067 | 750 ft3 | $4.09 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,452 | 1100 ft3 | $4.05 |
4 Bedrooms | $6,408 | 1600 ft3 | $4.00 |
5+ Bedrooms | $7,132 | 1800 ft3 | $3.96 |
Top New Jersey to North Carolina Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best New Jersey to North Carolina movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

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