Kansas Local Expert
Jackie Hostetler
“She orders Kansas BBQ for the sides and treats cheesy corn like a food group.”
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KS to NJ Relocation: Biggest Mistakes to Avoid
Trading the wide open prairies of Kansas for the dense, bustling corridors of New Jersey is a shift that goes far deeper than the miles between them. The contrast could not be more stark: quiet Midwestern calm and affordable living on one end, and one of the most fast paced, expensive, and densely populated states in the country on the other. What feels like a simple relocation on paper quickly becomes a full lifestyle overhaul once you start comparing costs, culture, and the daily rhythms of each place. Our Snappy Scout team (Jackie & Diane) dug into the logistics, finances, and lifestyle differences you need to understand before loading up that moving truck.
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Who's Behind This Guide
Could You Rent a Moving Truck from KS to New Jersey?
Average distance
1,450miles
Typical route
I-70 E and I-76 E are the primary highways you'd drive to get from Kansas to New Jersey, connecting through Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and into New Jersey via I-78 E or I-95 N.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Wichita, KS → Newark, NJ
~1500 miles
Kansas City, KS → Jersey City, NJ
~1300 miles
Topeka, KS → Trenton, NJ
~1350 miles
Overland Park, KS → Camden, NJ
~1300 miles
Lawrence, KS → Atlantic City, NJ
~1400 miles
Should You Move From Kansas to New Jersey Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to New Jersey from Kansas 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.
KS to New Jersey Moving Company Estimates
Moving 1,450 miles from Kansas 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.
That's the average.
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Who Should Embrace the Move from KS to New Jersey?
Well, it depends. If you're a Beach Bum, Binge Shopper, or Coffee Snob, you'll thrive in your move to New Jersey. But if you're more of a Cowboy, DIYer, or Garden Club Lifetime Member, 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 Kansas to New Jersey.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from KS to NJ
Beach Culture
Kansas
2
/10
New Jersey
9.5
/10
Kansas
Giving up
Reservoir beaches provide sand and sun, though salty waves and ocean breezes are a landlocked fantasy.
New Jersey
Gaining
Boardwalks, roller coasters, saltwater taffy, Stone Pony after-sun encores
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Beach Bums
Cape MayAsbury ParkBeach HavenWildwood
Kansas
2
/10
New Jersey
9.5
/10
Shopping
Kansas
5
/10
New Jersey
8.5
/10
Kansas
Giving up
Oak Park Mall works for mainstream shopping, but high-end retail and trendy boutiques require road trips to bigger cities.
New Jersey
Gaining
Paramus has more malls per mile than anywhere
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Binge Shoppers
ParamusShort HillsCherry Hill
Kansas
5
/10
New Jersey
8.5
/10
Coffee Culture
Kansas
6
/10
New Jersey
8.5
/10
Kansas
Giving up
The Roost and local roasters deliver legit specialty roasts, even if the scene is smaller.
New Jersey
Gaining
Bluestone Lane, modcup roasts, Asbury Roastery beach sips
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Coffee Snobs
Kansas
6
/10
New Jersey
8.5
/10
Cowboys
Kansas
9
/10
New Jersey
2
/10
Kansas
Giving up
Dust off your spurs and head to the Boot Hill Museum where Wild West legacy lives strong
New Jersey
Gaining
Cowtown Rodeo thrills, but spurs feel lonely off Turnpike
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Cowboys
PilesgroveAugusta
Kansas
9
/10
New Jersey
2
/10
DIYers
Kansas
8
/10
New Jersey
6.5
/10
Kansas
Giving up
Older homes with potential you can afford, DIY culture where neighbors share tools, and local shops that stock what you need.
New Jersey
Gaining
Habitat ReStore hauls, Home Depot runs, Millburn Lumber fixes
Recommended NJ cities/areas for DIYers
MaplewoodBloomfieldSomerville
Kansas
8
/10
New Jersey
6.5
/10
Gardener
Kansas
8.5
/10
New Jersey
7
/10
Kansas
Giving up
The Reinisch Rose Garden (Gage Park, Topeka) and Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens are standouts, but community planting traditions flourish statewide
New Jersey
Gaining
Presby Iris strolls, Reeves-Reed blooms, Grounds For Sculpture teas, Duke Gardens
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Garden Club Lifetime Members
Kansas
8.5
/10
New Jersey
7
/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 Kansas and living in New Jersey
KansasNew Jersey
KS to New Jersey: A Foodie's Guide to the Food Scene
Eating Like a Local in Kansas
Barbecue is the word, specifically burnt ends. One joint in particular, Gates Barbecue, with locations on both the Kansas and Missouri side, has a unique approach. The literal second you walk through the door, you are expected to order, and they aren't shy (or quiet) if you take too long. The ordering process alone has scared away many an outsider.
Jackie HostetlerKansas 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 ExpertNew Jersey looking like
the right move?
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How Moving to New Jersey from KS Changes Your Taxes
Kansas
New Jersey
KansasvsNew Jersey
State Income Tax
State Income Tax3.1% to 5.7% across three brackets
Progressive 1.4% to 10.75%, top rate over $1M, multiple brackets
Kansas
3.1% to 5.7% across three brackets
VS
New Jersey
Progressive 1.4% to 10.75%, top rate over $1M, multiple brackets
Property Taxes
Property TaxesModerate statewide, Johnson County higher, rural areas lower
North Jersey suburbs like Bergen and Essex pricier, South Jersey lower, Jersey City abatements
Kansas
Moderate statewide, Johnson County higher, rural areas lower
VS
New Jersey
North Jersey suburbs like Bergen and Essex pricier, South Jersey lower, Jersey City abatements
The No-Nonsense Cultural, Political, & Religious Comparison: KS vs New Jersey
Kansas
New Jersey
KansasvsNew Jersey
People
PeopleGenuinely warm, down to earth, with Midwestern values and neighborly instincts
Direct, fast talking, proudly diverse, neighborhood loyal, bagel and pizza opinions unshakeable
Kansas
Genuinely warm, down to earth, with Midwestern values and neighborly instincts
VS
New Jersey
Direct, fast talking, proudly diverse, neighborhood loyal, bagel and pizza opinions unshakeable
Politics
Solidly red statewide, though Lawrence and parts of Kansas City lean left
Reliably blue statewide, GOP strength in Ocean Monmouth Sussex, suburban moderates swing
Kansas
Solidly red statewide, though Lawrence and parts of Kansas City lean left
VS
New Jersey
Reliably blue statewide, GOP strength in Ocean Monmouth Sussex, suburban moderates swing
Religion
ReligionPredominantly Christian, strong Evangelical and Catholic communities
Largely Christian, many Catholics, notable Jewish in Lakewood and Teaneck, growing Hindu Muslim unaffiliated
Kansas
Predominantly Christian, strong Evangelical and Catholic communities
VS
New Jersey
Largely Christian, many Catholics, notable Jewish in Lakewood and Teaneck, growing Hindu Muslim unaffiliated
KS and New Jersey Locals on the Seasons: What No One Tells You
SUMMER
Kansas
standing on hot asphalt in a sauna (mid 90s with bonus humidity)
New Jersey
boardwalk waffle iron (sticky 90s inland, ocean breeze tempers the Shore)
WINTER
Kansas
all about scraping the ice (single digits happen regularly)
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 Expert✧ You've researched the move ✧
Now put a number
on it.
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Next 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 Kansas, 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
