New Jersey to Washington Moving Guide
Updated June 8, 2025

Planning a 2,800 mile interstate move from New Jersey to Washington? This moving guide will help you compare living in New Jersey vs Washington across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high taxes vs lower taxes), food & health (like Taylor Ham/Pork Roll vs Salmon), real estate & housing (colonial, victorian vs modern, 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 Salmon & Pho
- Washington housing costs are 15% more expensive than they are in New Jersey
- Rent in Washington is 19.58% more affordable than in New Jersey
- Moving from New Jersey to Washington will cost on average between $3,000 - $10,000
- Our top recommended New Jersey to Washington movers is Seattle Moves & More
New Jersey to Washington Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from New Jersey to Washington
- High taxes
- Harsh winters
- Dense population
- Heavy traffic
- High cost of living
- Lower taxes
- Milder winters
- More space
- Improved transit
- Affordable housing
- Far from major cities
- Limited beach options
- Less diverse
- Fewer higher education options
- Proximity to NYC
- Coastal access
- Cultural diversity
- Renowned universities
Pros of moving from New Jersey to Washington
- Say goodbye to high taxes and hello to lower taxes
- Look forward to moving away from harsh winters and moving to Washington with milder winters
- Swap the dense population of New Jersey for more space in Washington
- Get ready for improved transit in Washington
Cons of moving from New Jersey to Washington
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from proximity to NYC in New Jersey to live far from major cities in Washington
- You'll lose out on the pro of coastal access and have to settle for the con of limited beach options
- Time to bid farewell to cultural diversity and get used to less diversity in Washington
- Swap renowned universities for fewer higher education options
New Jersey vs. Washington: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | New Jersey | Washington |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Taylor Ham/Pork Roll | Salmon |
Most popular meat dish | Italian Hot Dog | Pho |
Most popular street food item | Salt Water Taffy | Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Impossible Burger | Quinoa 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 Washington, you will be trading the iconic Taylor Ham/Pork Roll of New Jersey for the equally delicious Salmon of Washington. And while the locals in New Jersey rave about their flavorful Italian Hot Dog and sumptuous Salt Water Taffy, Washington residents know they have tasty Pho and Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Impossible Burger they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Quinoa Salad of Washington. 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 Diner. After the boxes are unpacked in Washington, don't wait too long before making your way to Washington's acclaimed eateries like Canlis, The Herb Farm, and Pike Place Chowder.
When comparing lifestyles, Washington shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than New Jersey. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Washington compared to what you are used to in New Jersey. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Washington.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New Jersey and Washington
Comparison | New Jersey | Washington |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Victorian | Modern, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Proximity to NYC, Spacious Backyards | Eco-friendly features, Mountain Views |
- The Colonial and Victorian architecture that New Jersey is known for will be replaced with the Modern and Craftsman architecture typical of Washington.
- Compared to New Jersey's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to NYC and spacious backyards, Washington real estate listings often highlight features like eco-friendly attributes and mountain views.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Washington is more walkable than New Jersey.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Washington is more bike-friendly than New Jersey.
- Washington has more of an urban feel than New Jersey.
- Washington housing costs are 15% more expensive than they are in New Jersey, with a median home price of $591,148 compared to New Jerseyβs $512,908.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Washington have increased by 49% compared to a 50% increase in New Jersey.
- Rent in Washington is 19.58% more affordable than in New Jersey.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New Jersey and Washington
Comparison | New Jersey | Washington |
---|---|---|
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 | Volcanoes, Earthquakes |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 66Β°F | 75Β°F / 55Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40Β°F / 25Β°F | 47Β°F / 37Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 47 | 38 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 23 | 5 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from New Jersey to Washington. Washington gets 26% fewer sunshine days than New Jersey.
- Washington 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 volcanoes and earthquakes in Washington.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Washington is 10 degrees colder than New Jersey.
- The average winter lows in Washington are 12 degrees warmer than they are in New Jersey.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Washington. Washington receives 9 fewer inches of rain compared to New Jersey.
Financial & Community Snapshot: New Jersey and Washington
Comparison | New Jersey | Washington |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $96,346 | $91,306 |
Cost of Living Index | 129.7 | 104.1 |
State Income Tax | 1.4 - 10.75 | 0.00 |
Avg. Property Tax | 2.42 | 0.98 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.60 | 9.23 |
Top 3 Industries | Finance, Pharmaceuticals, Telecommunications | Aerospace, Software, Forestry |
Affluence | Affluent | Comfortable |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Moderate | High |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Washington tend to earn about 5% less than in New Jersey
- The COLI in Washington will be 20% lower than what you are used to living in New Jersey
- Hooray, moving to WA means you'll no longer have state income taxes
- The affluence in Washington is comfortable compared to affluent in New Jersey
- The poverty level is low in Washington compared to moderate in New Jersey
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in New Jersey and high in Washington
Political and Religious Climate in New Jersey vs. Washington
Comparison | New Jersey | Washington |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Lean Democratic |
Local Politics | Strong Democratic urban areas vs. Republican-leaning rural areas | Democratically controlled urban areas vs. mix of Democrat and Republican in rural areas |
Religion | Catholic, Jewish, Protestant | None/Unaffiliated, Protestant, Catholic |
- New Jersey tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Washington, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democratic
- Washington's religious environment can be described as None/Unaffiliated, Protestant, and Catholic
- New Jersey's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Catholic, Jewish, and Protestant
Education Guide When Moving from New Jersey to Washington
Comparison | New Jersey | Washington |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Rutgers University Princeton University Montclair State University | University of Washington Washington State University Seattle University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Littlebrook Elementary School (Princeton) Walter Stillman Elementary School (Tenafly) Princeton Charter School (Princeton) | Cascadia Elementary (Seattle) Medina Elementary (Medina) Challenge Elementary (Bellevue) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Thomas Grover Middle School (West Windsor) Community Middle School (Plainsboro) Tenakill Middle School (Closter) | International Community School (Kirkland) Lakeside Middle School (Seattle) Odle Middle School (Bellevue) |
Top 3 High Schools | High Technology High School (Lincroft) Bergen County Academies (Hackensack) Princeton High School (Princeton) | Bellevue High School (Bellevue) Newport High School (Bellevue) Lakeside School (Seattle) |
Top 3 private high schools | Delbarton School (Morristown) The Lawrenceville School (Lawrenceville) Blair Academy (Blairstown) | Lakeside School (Seattle) The Bush School (Seattle) Seattle Academy (Seattle) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Lawrenceville School (Lawrenceville) Newark Academy (Livingston) Morristown-Beard School (Morristown) | Overlake School (Redmond) The Bush School (Seattle) Annie Wright Schools (Tacoma) |
Top 3 School Districts | Princeton Public Schools Millburn Township Schools Summit Public Schools | Lake Washington School District Bellevue School District Mercer Island School District |
How Much Do New Jersey to Washington Movers Cost?
Moving 2,800 miles from New Jersey to Washington will typically cost between $4,000 and $10,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $4,000 - $10,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 3-6 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: John Volken Academy Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,790 | 300 ft3 | $9.30 |
1 Bedroom | $4,162 | 450 ft3 | $9.25 |
2 Bedrooms | $6,900 | 750 ft3 | $9.20 |
3 Bedrooms | $10,065 | 1100 ft3 | $9.15 |
4 Bedrooms | $14,559 | 1600 ft3 | $9.10 |
5+ Bedrooms | $16,289 | 1800 ft3 | $9.05 |
Top New Jersey to Washington Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best New Jersey to Washington movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.
Seattle Moves & More
Best moving company overall for New Jersey to Washington