New Jersey to Virginia Moving Guide
Updated June 22, 2025

Planning a 375 mile interstate move from New Jersey to Virginia? This moving guide will help you compare living in New Jersey vs Virginia across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high living costs vs lower cost of living), food & health (like Taylor Ham/Pork Roll vs Virginia Ham), real estate & housing (victorian, colonial vs colonial, 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 Dog, but get your taste buds ready for Virginia Ham & BBQ Pork
- Virginia housing costs are 25% less expensive than they are in New Jersey
- Rent in Virginia is 25.34% more affordable than in New Jersey
- Moving from New Jersey to Virginia will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,500
- Our top recommended New Jersey to Virginia movers is ARS Movers
New Jersey to Virginia Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from New Jersey to Virginia
- High living costs
- Heavy traffic
- Harsh winters
- High property taxes
- Busy lifestyle
- Lower cost of living
- Less congestion
- Milder winters
- Moderate property taxes
- Pace of life
- Distance from NYC
- Less culinary variety
- Smaller historical venues
- Fewer coastal options
- Varied school quality
- Proximity to NYC
- Diverse cuisine
- Rich history
- Famous beaches
- Highly-ranked schools
Pros of moving from New Jersey to Virginia
- Say goodbye to high living costs and hello to a lower cost of living
- Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic and moving to Virginia with less congestion
- Swap the harsh winters of New Jersey for milder winters in Virginia
- Get ready for moderate property taxes in Virginia
Cons of moving from New Jersey to Virginia
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from proximity to NYC in New Jersey to live with a distance from NYC in Virginia
- You'll lose out on the pro of diverse cuisine and have to settle for the con of less culinary variety
- Time to bid farewell to rich history and get used to smaller historical venues in Virginia
- Swap famous beaches for fewer coastal options
New Jersey vs. Virginia: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | New Jersey | Virginia |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Taylor Ham/Pork Roll | Virginia Ham |
Most popular meat dish | Italian Hot Dog | BBQ Pork |
Most popular street food item | Salt Water Taffy | Peanuts |
Most popular vegan food | Vegetable Panini | Chickpea Salad |
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 Virginia, you will be trading the iconic Taylor Ham/Pork Roll of New Jersey for the equally delicious Virginia Ham of Virginia. And while the locals in New Jersey rave about their flavorful Italian Hot Dog and sumptuous Salt Water Taffy, Virginia residents know they have tasty BBQ Pork and Peanuts 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 Chickpea Salad of Virginia. 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 Virginia, don't wait too long before making your way to Virginia's acclaimed eateries like The Inn at Little Washington, Roper's Ribs, and Pies & Pints.
When comparing lifestyles, Virginia shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than New Jersey. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Virginia, compared to what you are used to in New Jersey. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Virginia.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New Jersey and Virginia
Comparison | New Jersey | Virginia |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Victorian, Colonial | Colonial, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Proximity to NYC, hardwood floors | Energy efficiency, spacious yards |
- The Victorian and Colonial architecture that New Jersey is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Craftsman architecture typical of Virginia.
- Compared to New Jersey's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to NYC and hardwood floors, Virginia real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and spacious yards.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Virginia is less walkable than New Jersey.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Virginia is less bike-friendly than New Jersey.
- Virginia has less of an urban feel than New Jersey.
- Virginia housing costs are 25% less expensive than they are in New Jersey with a median home price of $385,780 compared to New Jerseyβs $512,908.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Virginia have increased 42% compared to a 50% increase in New Jersey.
- Rent in Virginia is 25.34% more affordable than in New Jersey.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New Jersey and Virginia
Comparison | New Jersey | Virginia |
---|---|---|
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 | Hurricanes, Earthquakes |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 66Β°F | 87Β°F / 68Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40Β°F / 25Β°F | 47Β°F / 27Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 47" | 43" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 23" | 22" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from New Jersey to Virginia. Virginia gets 2% more sunshine days than New Jersey.
- Virginia 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 and be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and earthquakes in Virginia.
- The average summer high temperature in Virginia is 2 degrees warmer than in New Jersey.
- The average winter lows are 2 degrees warmer than they are in New Jersey.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Virginia, as Virginia receives 4 fewer inches of rain compared to New Jersey.
Financial & Community Snapshot: New Jersey and Virginia
Comparison | New Jersey | Virginia |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $96,346 | $85,873 |
Cost of Living Index | 129.7 | 96.6 |
State Income Tax | 1.4 - 10.75 | 2 - 5.75 |
Avg. Property Tax | 2.21 | 0.80 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.6 | 5.3 |
Top 3 Industries | Finance, Healthcare, Technology | Defense, Agriculture, Technology |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Virginia tend to earn about 11% less than in New Jersey
- The COLI in Virginia will be 26% lower than what you are used to living in New Jersey
- The state income tax in VA is 2 - 5.75 compared to 1.4 - 10.75 in NJ
- The affluence in Virginia is moderate compared to high in New Jersey
- The poverty level is low in Virginia compared to moderate in New Jersey
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in New Jersey and low in Virginia
Political and Religious Climate in New Jersey vs. Virginia
Comparison | New Jersey | Virginia |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democrat | Swing State |
Local Politics | Urban areas strongly Democratic, with conservative pockets in rural areas | Liberal in Northern Virginia, conservative in rural areas |
Religion | Catholics make up the largest group; significant Jewish, Muslim, and Hindu populations | Primarily Protestant, with a growing number of non-Christian faiths in urban centers |
- New Jersey tends to lean Democrat in its political climate
- Virginia, on the other hand, is often described as a swing State
- Virginia's religious environment can be described as primarily Protestant, with a growing number of non-Christian faiths in urban centers
- New Jersey's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Catholics make up the largest group, with significant Jewish, Muslim, and Hindu populations
Education Guide When Moving from New Jersey to Virginia
Comparison | New Jersey | Virginia |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Rutgers University Princeton University Montclair State University | University of Virginia Virginia Tech James Madison University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Littlebrook Elementary School (Princeton) Millburn Elementary (Millburn) Windsor School (Jersey City) | Loudoun Country Day School (Leesburg) Arlington Science Focus School (Arlington) St. Christopher's School (Richmond) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Princeton Middle School (Princeton) River Dell Middle School (River Edge) Thomas Grover Middle School (West Windsor) | Longfellow Middle School (Falls Church) Cooper Middle School (McLean) Henley Middle School (Crozet) |
Top 3 High Schools | High Technology High School (Lincroft) Bergen County Academies (Hackensack) Princeton High School (Princeton) | Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (Alexandria) Langley High School (McLean) McLean High School (McLean) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Lawrenceville School (Lawrenceville) The Pingry School (Basking Ridge) Newark Academy (Livingston) | The Madeira School (McLean) Episcopal High School (Alexandria) Woodberry Forest School (Woodberry Forest) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Delbarton School (Morristown) Morristown-Beard School (Morristown) Dwight-Englewood School (Englewood) | Flint Hill School (Oakton) Norfolk Academy (Norfolk) Collegiate School (Richmond) |
Top 3 School Districts | Millburn Township Schools Princeton Public Schools Summit Public School District | Loudoun County Public Schools Fairfax County Public Schools Arlington Public Schools |
How Much Do New Jersey to Virginia Movers Cost?
Moving 375 miles from New Jersey to Virginia 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: 2-6 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Estes SureMove
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,203 | 300 ft3 | $4.01 |
1 Bedroom | $1,785 | 450 ft3 | $3.97 |
2 Bedrooms | $2,943 | 750 ft3 | $3.92 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,270 | 1100 ft3 | $3.88 |
4 Bedrooms | $6,143 | 1600 ft3 | $3.84 |
5+ Bedrooms | $6,834 | 1800 ft3 | $3.80 |
Top New Jersey to Virginia Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best New Jersey to Virginia movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.