New Jersey to Pennsylvania Moving Guide
Updated June 23, 2025

Planning a 233 mile interstate move from New Jersey to Pennsylvania? This moving guide will help you compare living in New Jersey vs Pennsylvania across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high living costs vs lower housing expenses), food & health (like Pork Roll (Taylor Ham) vs Philly Cheesesteak), real estate & housing (colonial, victorian vs colonial, farmhouse), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in New Jersey), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Pork Roll (Taylor Ham) and Italian Hot Dog, but get your taste buds ready for Philly Cheesesteak & Pittsburgh Salad (with steak)
- Pennsylvania housing costs are 49% less expensive than they are in New Jersey
- Rent in Pennsylvania is 39.47% more affordable than in New Jersey
- Moving from New Jersey to Pennsylvania will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,000
- Our top recommended New Jersey to Pennsylvania movers is Pittsburgh Moving
New Jersey to Pennsylvania Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from New Jersey to Pennsylvania
- High living costs
- Traffic congestion
- Pollution
- Limited space
- Lower housing expenses
- Less crowded roads
- Cleaner air
- More open areas
- Further from NYC
- Less cultural diversity
- Quieter evenings
- Fewer landmarks
- Close to NYC
- Diverse culture
- Vibrant nightlife
- Historic landmarks
Pros of moving from New Jersey to Pennsylvania
- Say goodbye to high living costs and hello to lower housing expenses
- Look forward to moving away from traffic congestion and moving to Pennsylvania with less crowded roads
- Swap the pollution of New Jersey for cleaner air in Pennsylvania
- Get ready for more open areas in Pennsylvania
Cons of moving from New Jersey to Pennsylvania
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from close to NYC in New Jersey to live further from NYC in Pennsylvania
- You'll lose out on the pro of diverse culture and have to settle for the con of less cultural diversity
- Time to bid farewell to vibrant nightlife and get used to quieter evenings in Pennsylvania
- Swap historic landmarks for fewer landmarks
New Jersey vs. Pennsylvania: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | New Jersey | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pork Roll (Taylor Ham) | Philly Cheesesteak |
Most popular meat dish | Italian Hot Dog | Pittsburgh Salad (with steak) |
Most popular street food item | Sausage Sandwiches | Soft Pretzel |
Most popular vegan food | Vegetable Panini | Mushroom Cheesesteak |
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 Pennsylvania, you will be trading the iconic Pork Roll (Taylor Ham) of New Jersey for the equally delicious Philly Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania. And while the locals in New Jersey rave about their flavorful Italian Hot Dog and sumptuous Sausage Sandwiches, Pennsylvania residents know they have tasty Pittsburgh Salad (with steak) and Soft Pretzel to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegetable Panini they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Mushroom Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania. 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 Don's 24-Hour Pork Roll. After the boxes are unpacked in Pennsylvania, don't wait too long before making your way to Pennsylvania's acclaimed eateries like Reading Terminal Market, Pat's King of Steaks, and Geno's Steaks.
When comparing lifestyles, Pennsylvania shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than New Jersey. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Pennsylvania compared to what you are used to in New Jersey. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Pennsylvania.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New Jersey and Pennsylvania
Comparison | New Jersey | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Victorian | Colonial, Farmhouse |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Close to NYC, Upgraded Kitchens | Historic Details, Spacious Yards |
- The Colonial and Victorian architecture that New Jersey is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Farmhouse architecture typical of Pennsylvania.
- Compared to New Jersey's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to NYC and upgraded kitchens, Pennsylvania real estate listings often highlight features like historic details and spacious yards.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Pennsylvania is more walkable than New Jersey.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Pennsylvania is more bike-friendly than New Jersey.
- Pennsylvania has less of an urban feel than New Jersey.
- Pennsylvania housing costs are 49% less expensive than they are in New Jersey, with a median home price of $261,312 compared to New Jerseyβs $512,908.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Pennsylvania have increased 43% compared to a 50% increase in New Jersey.
- Rent in Pennsylvania is 39.47% more affordable than in New Jersey.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New Jersey and Pennsylvania
Comparison | New Jersey | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
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 | Snowstorms, Flooding |
Air Quality | Moderate | Varies by area |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85/66 | 83/62 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40/25 | 33/20 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 47 | 42 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 23 | 38 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from New Jersey to Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania gets 13% fewer sunshine days than New Jersey.
- Pennsylvania has higher humidity and a lower 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 snowstorms and flooding in Pennsylvania.
- The average summer high temperature in Pennsylvania is 2 degrees colder than in New Jersey.
- The average winter lows are 5 degrees colder than they are in New Jersey.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania receives 5 fewer inches of rain compared to New Jersey.
Financial & Community Snapshot: New Jersey and Pennsylvania
Comparison | New Jersey | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $96,346 | $71,798 |
Cost of Living Index | 129.7 | 99.7 |
State Income Tax | 1.4% - 10.75% | 3.07% |
Avg. Property Tax | 2.42% | 1.35% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.625% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Finance, Healthcare, Technology | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Pennsylvania tend to earn about 25% less than in New Jersey
- The COLI in Pennsylvania will be 23% lower than what you are used to living in New Jersey
- The state income tax in PA is 3.07% compared to 1.4% to 10.75% in NJ
- The affluence in Pennsylvania is moderate compared to high in New Jersey
- The poverty level is moderate in Pennsylvania compared to low in New Jersey
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in New Jersey and low in Pennsylvania
Political and Religious Climate in New Jersey vs. Pennsylvania
Comparison | New Jersey | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Leans Democratic | Swing State |
Local Politics | Progressive Urban Areas | Mix of Conservative and Progressive Areas |
Religion | Significant Catholic Presence | Mix of Protestant and Catholic Majorities |
- New Jersey tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Pennsylvania, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state
- Pennsylvania's religious environment can be described as a mix of Protestant and Catholic majorities
- New Jersey's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a significant Catholic presence
Education Guide When Moving from New Jersey to Pennsylvania
Comparison | New Jersey | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Rutgers University Princeton University The College of New Jersey | University of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania State University Carnegie Mellon University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Littlebrook Elementary School (Princeton) Princeton Charter School (Princeton) Wandell School (Saddle River) | Bradford Heights Elementary School (Downingtown) Eisenhower Science and Technology Leadership Academy (Norristown) Whitemarsh Elementary School (Conshohocken) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Thomas R. Grover Middle School (West Windsor) Community Middle School (Plainsboro) William Annin Middle School (Basking Ridge) | Radnor Middle School (Radnor) Tredyffrin/Easttown Middle School (Berwyn) Welsh Valley Middle School (Narberth) |
Top 3 High Schools | High Technology High School (Lincroft) Bergen County Academies (Hackensack) Princeton High School (Princeton) | Conestoga High School (Berwyn) Masterman High School (Philadelphia) North Allegheny Senior High School (Wexford) |
Top 3 Private High Schools | The Lawrenceville School (Lawrenceville) The Pingry School (Basking Ridge) Blair Academy (Blairstown) | The Haverford School (Haverford) The Baldwin School (Bryn Mawr) Mercersburg Academy (Mercersburg) |
Top 3 Private K-12 Schools | Newark Academy (Livingston) Morristown-Beard School (Morristown) Rutgers Preparatory School (Somerset) | Shady Side Academy (Pittsburgh) Germantown Friends School (Philadelphia) The Shipley School (Bryn Mawr) |
Top 3 School Districts | Princeton Public Schools Millburn Township Schools Summit Public Schools | Tredyffrin/Easttown School District Radnor Township School District Lower Merion School District |
How Much Do New Jersey to Pennsylvania Movers Cost?
Moving 233 miles from New Jersey to Pennsylvania will typically cost between $1,500 and $4,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $1,500 - $4,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-6 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: U-Relax Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,134 | 300 ft3 | $3.78 |
1 Bedroom | $1,682 | 450 ft3 | $3.74 |
2 Bedrooms | $2,772 | 750 ft3 | $3.70 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,019 | 1100 ft3 | $3.65 |
4 Bedrooms | $5,778 | 1600 ft3 | $3.61 |
5+ Bedrooms | $6,424 | 1800 ft3 | $3.57 |
Top New Jersey to Pennsylvania Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best New Jersey to Pennsylvania movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Pittsburgh Moving
Best moving company overall for New Jersey to Pennsylvania