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Washington to New Jersey Moving Guide

Updated June 24, 2025

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Planning a 2,801 mile interstate move from Washington to New Jersey? This moving guide will help you compare living in Washington vs New Jersey across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like overcast skies vs sunlit beaches), food & health (like Salmon vs Taylor Ham/Pork Roll), real estate & housing (modern and craftsman vs colonial and victorian), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in New Jersey), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Salmon and Grilled Salmon, but get your taste buds ready for Taylor Ham/Pork Roll & Italian Hot Dog
  • New Jersey housing costs are 13% less expensive than they are in Washington
  • Rent in New Jersey is 24.34% more expensive than in Washington
  • Moving from Washington to New Jersey will cost on average between $3,000 - $10,000
  • Our top recommended Washington to New Jersey movers is Seattle Moves & More

Washington to New Jersey Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Washington to New Jersey

ConsWashington iconWashington
  • Overcast skies
  • Expensive housing
  • High traffic congestion
  • Isolated locations
  • Constant rain
ProsNew Jersey iconNew Jersey
  • Sunlit beaches
  • Affordable living
  • Efficient transit options
  • Rich cultural scene
  • Four distinct seasons

New Jersey iconNew Jersey
  • Higher cost of living
  • Limited green spaces
  • Lack of coffee diversity
  • Harsh winters
  • More conservative areas
Washington iconWashington
  • Vibrant tech scene
  • Scenic wilderness
  • Strong local coffee culture
  • Mild weather
  • Progressive politics

Pros of moving from Washington to New Jersey

  • Say goodbye to overcast skies and hello to sunlit beaches
  • Look forward to moving away from expensive housing and moving to New Jersey with affordable living
  • Swap the high traffic congestion of Washington for efficient transit options in New Jersey
  • Get ready for a rich cultural scene in New Jersey

Cons of moving from Washington to New Jersey

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a vibrant tech scene in Washington to live with a higher cost of living in New Jersey
  • You'll lose out on the pro of scenic wilderness and have to settle for the con of limited green spaces
  • Time to bid farewell to a strong local coffee culture and get used to a lack of coffee diversity in New Jersey
  • Swap mild weather for harsh winters

Washington vs. New Jersey: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonWashingtonNew Jersey
Most iconic local food itemSalmonTaylor Ham/Pork Roll
Most popular meat dishGrilled SalmonItalian Hot Dog
Most popular street food itemSeattle DogSalt Water Taffy
Most popular vegan foodQuinoa SaladVegan Pizza
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Canlis
  • Matt's Rotisserie & Oyster Lounge
  • The Herbfarm
  • Carlo's Bakery
  • Don's Original
  • The Madison Bar and Grill
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Washington to New Jersey, you will be trading the iconic Salmon of Washington for the equally delicious Taylor Ham/Pork Roll of New Jersey. And while the locals in Washington rave about their flavorful Grilled Salmon and sumptuous Seattle Dog, New Jersey residents know they have tasty Italian Hot Dog and Salt Water Taffy to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Quinoa Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Pizza of New Jersey. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Washington eateries like Canlis, Matt's Rotisserie and Oyster Lounge, and The Herbfarm. After the boxes are unpacked in New Jersey, don't wait too long before making your way to New Jersey's acclaimed eateries like Carlo's Bakery, Don's Original, and The Madison Bar and Grill.

When comparing lifestyles, New Jersey shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Washington. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in New Jersey compared to what you are used to in Washington. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in New Jersey.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Washington and New Jersey

ComparisonWashingtonNew Jersey
Typical Architecture StyleModern and CraftsmanColonial and Victorian
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingGreen spaces, Tech hubsClose to NYC, Beach proximity
  • The Modern and Craftsman architecture that Washington is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Victorian architecture typical of New Jersey.
  • Compared to Washington's real estate listings that commonly reference green spaces and tech hubs, New Jersey real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to NYC and the beach.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. New Jersey is more walkable than Washington.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike. New Jersey is less bike-friendly than Washington.
  • New Jersey has more of an urban feel than Washington.
  • New Jersey housing costs are 13% less expensive than they are in Washington, with a median home price of $512,908 compared to Washington’s $591,148.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in New Jersey have increased by 50% compared to a 49% increase in Washington.
  • Rent in New Jersey is 24.34% more expensive than in Washington.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Washington and New Jersey

ComparisonWashingtonNew Jersey
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersEarthquakes, VolcanoesHurricanes, Nor'easters
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)75Β°F/55Β°F85Β°F/66Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)47Β°F/36Β°F40Β°F/25Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)3847
Annual Snowfall (Inches)523
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Washington to New Jersey. New Jersey gets 36% more sunshine days than Washington.
  • New Jersey has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Washington.
  • Say goodbye to the possible earthquakes and volcanoes in Washington, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and nor'easters in New Jersey.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in New Jersey is 10 degrees warmer than in Washington.
  • The average winter lows are 11 degrees colder than they are in Washington.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in New Jersey. New Jersey receives 9 more inches of rain compared to Washington.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Washington and New Jersey

ComparisonWashingtonNew Jersey
Avg. Household Income$91,306$96,346
Cost of Living Index104.1129.7
State Income Tax0%1.4% to 10.75%
Avg. Property Tax1.08%2.21%
Avg. Sales Tax6.5% to 10.4%6.625%
Top 3 IndustriesTech, Aerospace, AgricultureFinance, Pharmaceuticals, Transportation
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessNoticeableLess noticeable
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in New Jersey tend to earn about 6% more than in Washington
  • The COLI in New Jersey will be 25% higher than what you are used to living in Washington
  • Bummer... By moving from WA to NJ, you'll now have a state income tax of 1.4% to 10.75%
  • The affluence in New Jersey is high compared to moderate in Washington
  • The poverty level is moderate in New Jersey compared to low in Washington
  • In terms of homelessness, it is noticeable in Washington and less noticeable in New Jersey

Political and Religious Climate in Washington vs. New Jersey

ComparisonWashingtonNew Jersey
Political Make-upLean DemocraticLean Democratic
Local PoliticsProgressive Urban CentersDiverse with progressive urban areas
ReligionMixed, with a notable number of non-religious individualsPredominantly Christian, with diverse religious communities
  • Washington tends to lean Democratic 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 predominantly Christian, with diverse religious communities
  • Washington's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as mixed, with a notable number of non-religious individuals

Education Guide When Moving from Washington to New Jersey

ComparisonWashingtonNew Jersey
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Washington
Washington State University
Western Washington University
Princeton University
Rutgers University-New Brunswick
The College of New Jersey
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsCascade Ridge Elementary - Issaquah
Medina Elementary - Medina
Skyline Elementary - Sammamish
Littlebrook Elementary School - Princeton
Princeton Charter School - Princeton
Riverside Elementary School - Princeton
Top 3 Middle SchoolsInternational School - Bellevue
Odle Middle School - Bellevue
Environmental & Adventure School - Kirkland
Thomas Grover Middle School - West Windsor
Community Middle School - Plainsboro
William Annin Middle School - Basking Ridge
Top 3 High SchoolsInternational School - Bellevue
Newport High School - Bellevue
Tesla STEM High School - Redmond
High Technology High School - Lincroft
Bergen County Academies - Hackensack
Princeton High School - Princeton
Top 3 private high schoolsLakeside School - Seattle
The Overlake School - Redmond
Seattle Academy - Seattle
The Lawrenceville School - Lawrenceville
The Pingry School - Basking Ridge
Delbarton School - Morristown
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsEastside Preparatory School - Kirkland
The Bear Creek School - Redmond
Seattle Country Day School - Seattle
The Pennington School - Pennington
Morristown-Beard School - Morristown
Newark Academy - Livingston
Top 3 School DistrictsBellevue School District
Mercer Island School District
Lake Washington School District
Princeton Public Schools
Millburn Township Schools
Summit Public Schools

How Much Do Washington to New Jersey Movers Cost?

Moving 2,801 miles from Washington to New Jersey 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 - $10,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 3-6 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: John Volken Academy Movers
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,790300 ft3$9.30
1 Bedroom$4,163450 ft3$9.25
2 Bedrooms$6,901750 ft3$9.20
3 Bedrooms$10,0671100 ft3$9.15
4 Bedrooms$14,5621600 ft3$9.10
5+ Bedrooms$16,2931800 ft3$9.05

Top Washington to New Jersey Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Washington to New Jersey movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Seattle Moves & More

Seattle Moves & More

Best moving company overall for Washington to New Jersey

9.55/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Big G Movers, INC featured image

Big G Movers, INC

9.54/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Cimply Labor, LLC featured image

Cimply Labor, LLC

9.39/10
ExceptionalView details