Colorado Local Expert
Heidi Lim
“She's a blossoming plant nerd.”
See full bio
Moving to New Jersey from CO: Your Complete Cost Breakdown
Trading the Rockies for the Garden State is a bigger shift than most people anticipate. Colorado's laid-back outdoor culture, lower population density, and relatively affordable cost of living stand in sharp contrast to the fast-paced, densely packed communities waiting on the other side of the country. The altitude drops, the crowds grow, and your commute suddenly looks very different. Our Snappy Scout team (Heidi & Diane) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle changes you should expect before packing the first box.
Who's Behind This Guide
Colorado to New Jersey: How Far Is the Move?
Average distance
1,850miles
Typical route
I-70 E and I-76 E through Kansas and Missouri, then I-80 E or I-76 E through Pennsylvania into New Jersey
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Denver, CO → Newark, NJ
~1850 miles
Colorado Springs, CO → Newark, NJ
~1900 miles
Denver, CO → Jersey City, NJ
~1850 miles
Aurora, CO → Trenton, NJ
~1900 miles
Fort Collins, CO → Princeton, NJ
~1950 miles
Should You Move From Colorado to New Jersey Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to New Jersey from Colorado is the right call for your lifestyle and preferences.
Progress1 of 10 questions
Question 1 of 10
What kind of weather makes you happiest?
0/10answered
Live score
Collecting your answers and forming an opinion. Answer another question to see the results.
How Much Is Moving from Colorado to New Jersey Going to Set You Back?
Moving 1,850 miles from Colorado to New Jersey will typically cost between $2,500.00 and $4,500.00 to hire full service movers. See the breakdown below by home size.
Expected Range
$2,500.00–$4,500.00
Expected Time
4–11days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,260.00
1 Bedroom
$1,860.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,070.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,450.00
4 Bedrooms
$6,400.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,110.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,260.00 | 300 | $4.2 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,860.00 | 450 | $4.13 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,070.00 | 750 | $4.09 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,450.00 | 1,100 | $4.05 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $6,400.00 | 1,600 | $4 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $7,110.00 | 1,800 | $3.95 |
How we calculated these numbers: We reached out to the owners and operators of more than a dozen nationwide moving companies to figure out how they factor in mileage, weight, volume, timing, origin & termination locations, and approximate home sizes to determine a moving estimate. The results above are what the data nerds at Snappy Scout created based on that info.
Will Your Lifestyle Hold Up in New Jersey?
Well, it depends. If you're a Beach Bum, PTA President, or Foodie, you'll thrive in your move to New Jersey. But if you're more of a Minimalist, Adventure Junkie, or Cowboy, settling into your new home state may be a bit of a challenge. We scored a variety of different “personalities” on a 10-point scale to show you what to expect from a lifestyle perspective with a relocation from Colorado to New Jersey.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from CO to NJ
Beach Culture
Colorado
2.5
/10
New Jersey
9.5
/10
Colorado
Giving up
Lakes offer swimming but landlocked mountains aren't coastal paradise.
New Jersey
Gaining
Boardwalks, roller coasters, saltwater taffy, Stone Pony after-sun encores
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Beach Bums
Cape MayAsbury ParkBeach HavenWildwood
Colorado
2.5
/10
New Jersey
9.5
/10
PTA Life
Colorado
6
/10
New Jersey
9
/10
Colorado
Giving up
Good schools exist but housing costs strain family finances.
New Jersey
Gaining
Friday lights, School pride, NJEA bake sale legends
Recommended NJ cities/areas for PTA Presidents
RidgewoodSummitCherry Hill
Colorado
6
/10
New Jersey
9
/10
Foodies
Colorado
8
/10
New Jersey
9.5
/10
Colorado
Giving up
Mercantile Dining and farm-to-table spots deliver mountain cuisine.
New Jersey
Gaining
Razza pies, Ani Ramen slurps, Fiore's mozz hero worship
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Foodies
Colorado
8
/10
New Jersey
9.5
/10
Adventure Activities
Colorado
10
/10
New Jersey
6
/10
Colorado
Giving up
Rocky Mountain peaks, endless trails, world-class skiing await.
New Jersey
Gaining
Appalachian Trail miles, Pine Barrens paddles, High Point views
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Adventure Junkies
VernonHardwickHammonton
Colorado
10
/10
New Jersey
6
/10
Minimalism
Colorado
8.5
/10
New Jersey
4.5
/10
Colorado
Giving up
Tiny homes meet mountain living simplicity and purpose.
New Jersey
Gaining
Sleek condos with NYC skyline views, but NJ Turnpike clutter follows unless you rely on PATH or light rail
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Minimalists
Jersey CityHoboken
Colorado
8.5
/10
New Jersey
4.5
/10
Cowboys
Colorado
3.5
/10
New Jersey
2
/10
Colorado
Giving up
National Western Stock Show happens but ski culture dominates.
New Jersey
Gaining
Cowtown Rodeo thrills, but spurs feel lonely off Turnpike
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Cowboys
PilesgroveAugusta
Colorado
3.5
/10
New Jersey
2
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of New Jersey?
The smell of the ocean. The sound of the seagulls down the shore. The train whistles from the local commuter lines.
– Diane Briante
New Jersey Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Colorado and living in New Jersey
ColoradoNew Jersey
Colorado vs New Jersey: Food Throwdown
Eating Like a Local in Colorado
Order cautiously: Rocky Mountain Oysters are NOT oysters. They’re bull testicles. But they’re deep-fried, and let’s be honest, anything deep-fried has a fighting chance.
Heidi LimColorado Local ExpertEating Like a Local in New Jersey
Every diner has something they're famous for. Order that. Don't order something too fancy. Avoid the red sauce unless you have inside information that it doesn't come from a can. Splurge on those amazing looking cakes or pies. And we judge diners by their fries. If their fries aren't good, we might not be back.
Diane BrianteNew Jersey Local ExpertThe Unfiltered Tax Reality of Moving from Colorado to New Jersey
Colorado
New Jersey
ColoradovsNew Jersey
State Income Tax
State Income TaxFlat 4.4% on all income
Progressive 1.4% to 10.75%, top rate over $1M, multiple brackets
Colorado
Flat 4.4% on all income
VS
New Jersey
Progressive 1.4% to 10.75%, top rate over $1M, multiple brackets
Property Taxes
Property TaxesBroomfield and Boulder areas higher, rural counties lower
North Jersey suburbs like Bergen and Essex pricier, South Jersey lower, Jersey City abatements
Colorado
Broomfield and Boulder areas higher, rural counties lower
VS
New Jersey
North Jersey suburbs like Bergen and Essex pricier, South Jersey lower, Jersey City abatements
From Colorado to New Jersey: How People, Politics, & Religion Change
Colorado
New Jersey
ColoradovsNew Jersey
People
PeopleCasual and low-key, friendly but hands-off, and deeply appreciative of sunshine and flexible plans
Direct, fast talking, proudly diverse, neighborhood loyal, bagel and pizza opinions unshakeable
Colorado
Casual and low-key, friendly but hands-off, and deeply appreciative of sunshine and flexible plans
VS
New Jersey
Direct, fast talking, proudly diverse, neighborhood loyal, bagel and pizza opinions unshakeable
Politics
Purple turned blue, Front Range liberal, Western Slope conservative
Reliably blue statewide, GOP strength in Ocean Monmouth Sussex, suburban moderates swing
Colorado
Purple turned blue, Front Range liberal, Western Slope conservative
VS
New Jersey
Reliably blue statewide, GOP strength in Ocean Monmouth Sussex, suburban moderates swing
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian with large unaffiliated population, growing secular
Largely Christian, many Catholics, notable Jewish in Lakewood and Teaneck, growing Hindu Muslim unaffiliated
Colorado
Mostly Christian with large unaffiliated population, growing secular
VS
New Jersey
Largely Christian, many Catholics, notable Jewish in Lakewood and Teaneck, growing Hindu Muslim unaffiliated
Leaving Colorado Seasons Behind: What New Jersey Weather Really Looks Like
SUMMER
Colorado
crispy mornings, scorching afternoons (90s on the Front Range)
New Jersey
boardwalk waffle iron (sticky 90s inland, ocean breeze tempers the Shore)
WINTER
Colorado
bluebird perfection interrupted by arctic blasts (mountains stay frozen)
New Jersey
puffer coat roulette (High Point bites, Cape May shrugs)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in New Jersey
The first day warm enough to hang out on the beach, the leaves changing in the fall - and the taste of my first Curley fries in Wildwood. The best!
Diane BrianteNew Jersey Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to New Jersey
By now, you're hopefully fully aware that at Snappy Scout, our moving guides aren't like the rest! Now that you've compared the aspects of leaving behind Colorado, take a deeper dive into the specifics of moving to New Jersey. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from New Jersey local experts.
Moving toElizabeth
EWR Roar, 13A, Pastéis, And Port Crane Views
Moving toJersey City
A Deep Look At The Only City To Have Two PATH Stops In Its Limits
Moving toNewark
Ironbound Eats, PATH Zips, Branch Brook Park Blooms
