Pennsylvania to New Jersey Moving Guide
Updated June 4, 2025

Planning a 235 mile interstate move from Pennsylvania to New Jersey? This moving guide will help you compare living in Pennsylvania vs New Jersey across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder climates), food & health (like Philly Cheesesteak vs Taylor Ham, Egg, and Cheese), real estate & housing (colonial, craftsman vs victorian, colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in New Jersey), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Philly Cheesesteak and Pork and Sauerkraut, but get your taste buds ready for Taylor Ham, Egg, and Cheese & Italian Hot Dogs
- New Jersey housing costs are 96% more expensive than they are in Pennsylvania
- Rent in New Jersey is 65.21% more expensive than in Pennsylvania
- Moving from Pennsylvania to New Jersey will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,000
- Our top recommended Pennsylvania to New Jersey movers is Pittsburgh Moving
Pennsylvania to New Jersey Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Pennsylvania to New Jersey
- Harsh winters
- Limited public transport
- Fewer beaches
- Less diverse dining
- Higher property taxes
- Milder climates
- Robust network
- Access to shore
- Culinary variety
- More parks
- Higher cost of living
- Smaller properties
- Busier roads
- Fewer landmarks
- No coal mining
- Cultural richness
- Spacious landscapes
- Lower traffic congestion
- Historical sites
- Anthracite coal region
Pros of moving from Pennsylvania to New Jersey
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder climates
- Look forward to moving away from limited public transport and moving to New Jersey with a robust network
- Swap the fewer beaches of Pennsylvania for access to the shore in New Jersey
- Get ready for culinary variety in New Jersey
Cons of moving from Pennsylvania to New Jersey
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from cultural richness in Pennsylvania to live with a higher cost of living in New Jersey
- You'll lose out on the pro of spacious landscapes and have to settle for the con of smaller properties
- Time to bid farewell to lower traffic congestion and get used to busier roads in New Jersey
- Swap historical sites for fewer landmarks
Pennsylvania vs. New Jersey: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Pennsylvania | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Philly Cheesesteak | Taylor Ham, Egg, and Cheese |
Most popular meat dish | Pork and Sauerkraut | Italian Hot Dogs |
Most popular street food item | Soft Pretzel | Pork Roll Sandwich |
Most popular vegan food | Seitan Cheesesteak | Vegan Sloppy Joe |
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 Pennsylvania to New Jersey, you will be trading the iconic Philly Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania for the equally delicious Taylor Ham, Egg, and Cheese of New Jersey. And while the locals in Pennsylvania rave about their flavorful Pork and Sauerkraut and sumptuous Soft Pretzel, New Jersey residents know they have tasty Italian Hot Dogs and Pork Roll Sandwiches to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Seitan Cheesesteak they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Sloppy Joe of New Jersey. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Pennsylvania eateries like Reading Terminal Market, Zahav, and Primanti Bros. After the boxes are unpacked in New Jersey, don't wait too long before making your way to New Jersey's acclaimed eateries like White Manna, Rat's Restaurant, and Diner Capital of the World (Statewide).
When comparing lifestyles, New Jersey shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Pennsylvania. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in New Jersey compared to what you are used to in Pennsylvania. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in New Jersey.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Pennsylvania and New Jersey
Comparison | Pennsylvania | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Craftsman | Victorian, Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Hardwood floors, garage | Proximity to transit, upgraded kitchens |
- The Colonial and Craftsman architecture that Pennsylvania is known for will be replaced with the Victorian and Colonial architecture typical of New Jersey.
- Compared to Pennsylvania's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and garages, New Jersey real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to transit and upgraded kitchens.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. New Jersey is more walkable than Pennsylvania.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. New Jersey is more bike-friendly than Pennsylvania.
- New Jersey has more of an urban feel than Pennsylvania.
- New Jersey housing costs are 96% more expensive than they are in Pennsylvania, with a median home price of $512,908 compared to Pennsylvaniaβs $261,312.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in New Jersey have increased by 50% compared to a 43% increase in Pennsylvania.
- Rent in New Jersey is 65.21% more expensive than in Pennsylvania.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Pennsylvania and New Jersey
Comparison | Pennsylvania | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
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 | Storms, Floods, Snow/Ice | Storms, Floods, Hurricanes |
Air Quality | Moderate | Moderate to Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85/62 | 85/66 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 33/18 | 39/26 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 42 | 47 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 38 | 23 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Pennsylvania to New Jersey. New Jersey gets 15% more sunshine days than Pennsylvania.
- New Jersey has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Pennsylvania.
- Say goodbye to the possible storms, floods, and snow or ice in Pennsylvania, but be on the lookout for potential storms, floods, and hurricanes in New Jersey.
- The average summer high temperature in New Jersey is the same as in Pennsylvania.
- The average winter lows are 8 degrees warmer than they are in Pennsylvania.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in New Jersey. New Jersey receives 5 more inches of rain compared to Pennsylvania.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Pennsylvania and New Jersey
Comparison | Pennsylvania | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $71,798 | $96,346 |
Cost of Living Index | 99.7 | 129.7 |
State Income Tax | 3.07% | 1.4% - 10.75% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.50% | 2.42% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.34% | 6.625% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Banking | Finance, Technology, Pharmaceuticals |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in New Jersey tend to earn about 34% more than in Pennsylvania
- The COLI in New Jersey is 30% higher than what you are used to living in Pennsylvania
- The state income tax in NJ is 1.4% to 10.75% compared to 3.07% in PA
- The affluence in New Jersey is high compared to moderate affluence in Pennsylvania
- The poverty level is low in New Jersey compared to moderate poverty in Pennsylvania
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Pennsylvania and low in New Jersey
Political and Religious Climate in Pennsylvania vs. New Jersey
Comparison | Pennsylvania | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Purple state, closely divided | Lean Democratic |
Local Politics | Varies significantly between urban & rural areas | Generally progressive, especially in urban areas |
Religion | Christian majority with a significant Catholic component | Diverse religious landscape, strong Catholic and Jewish communities |
- Pennsylvania tends to lean toward a purple state, closely divided in its political climate
- New Jersey, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democratic
- New Jersey's religious environment can be described as a diverse religious landscape with strong Catholic and Jewish communities
- Pennsylvania's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority with a significant Catholic component
Education Guide When Moving from Pennsylvania to New Jersey
Comparison | Pennsylvania | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Pennsylvania Penn State Carnegie Mellon University | Princeton University Rutgers University The College of New Jersey |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Marshall Elementary (Pittsburgh) Hillside Elementary (Berwyn) Lower Merion (Ardmore) | Littlebrook Elementary (Princeton) Milton Avenue School (Chatham) Riverside Elementary (Princeton) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Radnor Middle School (Radnor) Julia R. Masterman (Philadelphia) Haverford Middle School (Havertown) | Princeton Charter School (Princeton) Thomas R. Grover Middle School (Princeton Junction) Community Middle School (Plainsboro) |
Top 3 High Schools | Julia R. Masterman Secondary School (Philadelphia) Conestoga High School (Berwyn) Central High School (Philadelphia) | High Technology High School (Lincroft) Bergen County Academies (Hackensack) Princeton High School (Princeton) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Haverford School (Haverford) The Episcopal Academy (Newtown Square) Shady Side Academy (Pittsburgh) | The Lawrenceville School (Lawrenceville) The Pingry School (Basking Ridge) Newark Academy (Livingston) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Baldwin School (Bryn Mawr) The Shipley School (Bryn Mawr) Germantown Friends School (Philadelphia) | Morristown-Beard School (Morristown) Rutgers Preparatory School (Somerset) The Pennington School (Pennington) |
Top 3 School Districts | Tredyffrin-Easttown School District Lower Merion School District Radnor Township School District | Princeton Public Schools Millburn Township School District Summit Public Schools |
How Much Do Pennsylvania to New Jersey Movers Cost?
Moving 235 miles from Pennsylvania to New Jersey 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 | $1,135 | 300 ft3 | $3.78 |
1 Bedroom | $1,684 | 450 ft3 | $3.74 |
2 Bedrooms | $2,775 | 750 ft3 | $3.70 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,023 | 1100 ft3 | $3.66 |
4 Bedrooms | $5,783 | 1600 ft3 | $3.61 |
5+ Bedrooms | $6,430 | 1800 ft3 | $3.57 |
Top Pennsylvania to New Jersey Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Pennsylvania to New Jersey movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Pittsburgh Moving
Best moving company overall for Pennsylvania to New Jersey