New Jersey Local Expert
Diane Briante
“I’ve been rooted in New Jersey since day one and have lived everywhere from Hillside to Elizabeth to Springfield before…”
Read more about me
JourneysMoving Journeys|From NJMoving from New Jersey|To MAMoving to Massachusetts|New Jersey → Massachusetts
Your New Jersey to MA Relocation Guide: Culture Shock You Should Expect
Packing up life in New Jersey and heading north to Massachusetts might seem like a modest regional hop, but the differences between these two states run deeper than the miles suggest. New Jersey offers dense suburbs with quick access to major metros like New York City and Philadelphia, while Massachusetts trades that mid-Atlantic energy for a blend of colonial history, college town culture, and notoriously opinionated sports fans. The cost of living shift alone is enough to make even a seasoned mover do a double take. Our Snappy Scout team (Diane & Candice) broke down the costs, logistics, and lifestyle changes worth knowing before you start loading the truck.
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New Jersey to MA Distance Breakdown
Average distance
300miles
Typical route
I-95 N and I-295 N
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Newark, NJ → Boston, MA
~300 miles
Jersey City, NJ → Springfield, MA
~250 miles
Trenton, NJ → Worcester, MA
~300 miles
Camden, NJ → Cambridge, MA
~350 miles
Atlantic City, NJ → Boston, MA
~350 miles
Should You Move From New Jersey to Massachusetts Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Massachusetts from New Jersey 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 Do Local Movers Bill from New Jersey to MA?
Moving 300 miles from New Jersey to Massachusetts will typically cost between $2,500.00 and $5,000.00 to hire full service movers. See the breakdown below by home size.
Expected Range
$2,500.00–$5,000.00
Expected Time
2–9days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,410.00
1 Bedroom
$2,090.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,440.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,990.00
4 Bedrooms
$7,180.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,980.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,410.00 | 300 | $4.7 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,090.00 | 450 | $4.64 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,440.00 | 750 | $4.59 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,990.00 | 1,100 | $4.54 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $7,180.00 | 1,600 | $4.49 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $7,980.00 | 1,800 | $4.43 |
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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Get a personalized estimate based on the details of your New Jersey → Massachusetts move.
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Will Your Personality Hold Up in MA?
Well, it depends. If you're a College Student, Yoga Instructor, or Cowboy, you'll thrive in your move to Massachusetts. But if you're more of a Binge Shopper, Retired Military, or CrossFit Regular, 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 New Jersey to Massachusetts.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from NJ to MA
University Life
New Jersey
8.5
/10
Massachusetts
10
/10
New Jersey
Giving up
Rutgers tailgates, Princeton libraries, Grease Trucks nostalgia
Massachusetts
Gaining
Harvard, MIT, and UMass dominate campus culture.
Recommended MA cities/areas for College Students
New Jersey
8.5
/10
Massachusetts
10
/10
Yoga
New Jersey
7
/10
Massachusetts
8.5
/10
New Jersey
Giving up
Pier A sunrise flows, Gratitude Yoga calm, beach classes
Massachusetts
Gaining
Wellness culture strong, studios on every corner.
Recommended MA cities/areas for Yoga Instructors
CambridgeBrooklineNorthampton
New Jersey
7
/10
Massachusetts
8.5
/10
Cowboys
New Jersey
2
/10
Massachusetts
3
/10
New Jersey
Giving up
Cowtown Rodeo thrills, but spurs feel lonely off Turnpike
Massachusetts
Gaining
Some farms exist, but no rodeos or true range.
Recommended MA cities/areas for Cowboys
Western Mass
New Jersey
2
/10
Massachusetts
3
/10
Shopping
New Jersey
8.5
/10
Massachusetts
6.5
/10
New Jersey
Giving up
Paramus has more malls per mile than anywhere
Massachusetts
Gaining
Newbury Street boutiques and Burlington Mall sprees.
Recommended MA cities/areas for Binge Shoppers
BostonBurlington
New Jersey
8.5
/10
Massachusetts
6.5
/10
Military Culture
New Jersey
6
/10
Massachusetts
4
/10
New Jersey
Giving up
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst nearby, beach calm, VA resources
Massachusetts
Gaining
VA services solid, but fewer bases than elsewhere.
Recommended MA cities/areas for Retired Militaries
SpringfieldBoston
New Jersey
6
/10
Massachusetts
4
/10
Fitness
New Jersey
7.5
/10
Massachusetts
7
/10
New Jersey
Giving up
Boxes everywhere, Seaside boardwalk runs, Asbury Park battle ropes beachside
Massachusetts
Gaining
Gyms packed with competitive fitness junkies.
Recommended MA cities/areas for CrossFit Regulars
BostonCambridge
New Jersey
7.5
/10
Massachusetts
7
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Massachusetts?
This is a tough one, but I have to fall back to the annual voyage to the Cape. This is a pretty standard trip for folks every summer. And no matter which route you choose, you'll be sure to sit in heavy traffic. But it's the quintessential road trip. Plenty of time to enjoy your best CDs and snacks along the way.
– Candice Hallsett
Massachusetts Local
Lifestyle differences between living in New Jersey and living in Massachusetts
New JerseyMassachusetts
The Dining Culture Between New Jersey and MA
Eating 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 ExpertEating Like a Local in Massachusetts
We have some really fabulous local ethnic restaurants. Any type of food you desire, you're sure to find it. From Cambodian, Ghanaian, to Brazilian, you'll find some excellent dishes to try. Grab a pupusa from a Salvadorean spot. It's cheap and delish!
Candice HallsettMassachusetts Local ExpertMassachusetts looking like
the right move?
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What the Move to MA from New Jersey Saves You for Your Tax Life
New Jersey
Massachusetts
New JerseyvsMassachusetts
State Income Tax
State Income TaxProgressive 1.4% to 10.75%, top rate over $1M, multiple brackets
Flat 5% on most income, 9% on short-term capital gains
New Jersey
Progressive 1.4% to 10.75%, top rate over $1M, multiple brackets
VS
Massachusetts
Flat 5% on most income, 9% on short-term capital gains
Property Taxes
Property TaxesNorth Jersey suburbs like Bergen and Essex pricier, South Jersey lower, Jersey City abatements
Among highest nationally, Boston suburbs especially steep
New Jersey
North Jersey suburbs like Bergen and Essex pricier, South Jersey lower, Jersey City abatements
VS
Massachusetts
Among highest nationally, Boston suburbs especially steep
Moving to MA from New Jersey: The Values, Beliefs, & Politics Reality
New Jersey
Massachusetts
New JerseyvsMassachusetts
People
PeopleDirect, fast talking, proudly diverse, neighborhood loyal, bagel and pizza opinions unshakeable
Direct and blunt but loyal, wicked smart, passionate about sports
New Jersey
Direct, fast talking, proudly diverse, neighborhood loyal, bagel and pizza opinions unshakeable
VS
Massachusetts
Direct and blunt but loyal, wicked smart, passionate about sports
Politics
Reliably blue statewide, GOP strength in Ocean Monmouth Sussex, suburban moderates swing
Solidly blue statewide, though fiscally moderate with Republican governors occasionally
New Jersey
Reliably blue statewide, GOP strength in Ocean Monmouth Sussex, suburban moderates swing
VS
Massachusetts
Solidly blue statewide, though fiscally moderate with Republican governors occasionally
Religion
ReligionLargely Christian, many Catholics, notable Jewish in Lakewood and Teaneck, growing Hindu Muslim unaffiliated
Historically Catholic stronghold, growing secular population, diverse faith communities
New Jersey
Largely Christian, many Catholics, notable Jewish in Lakewood and Teaneck, growing Hindu Muslim unaffiliated
VS
Massachusetts
Historically Catholic stronghold, growing secular population, diverse faith communities
What Feels Different About the Climate When You Move to MA from New Jersey
SUMMER
New Jersey
boardwalk waffle iron (sticky 90s inland, ocean breeze tempers the Shore)
Massachusetts
sticky brick oven vibes (humid 90s along the coast)
WINTER
New Jersey
puffer coat roulette (High Point bites, Cape May shrugs)
Massachusetts
layered like a human onion (single digits with windchill in January)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Massachusetts
Winter: If I had to find something positive to say about our winters, I'd say official Snow Days! Otherwise, it's pretty bleak. I guess it also looks pretty before the snow plows get dirty snow everywhere.
Spring: Winter's over! And we have GORGEOUS weather.
Summer: The fact that we have the Cape. Everyone travels there (unless they already live there) in the summer.
Fall: No brainer...the foliage. Even on your everyday commute in town, it's breathtaking to witness.
Candice HallsettMassachusetts Local Expert✧ You've researched the move ✧
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Next Steps
Learn More About Moving to Massachusetts
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 New Jersey, take a deeper dive into the specifics of moving to Massachusetts. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Massachusetts local experts.
Moving toBoston
Prep Your Wallet and Drop Your R's
