New Jersey Local Expert
Diane Briante
“A proud Jersey native who swears pork roll tastes better when you’re down the shore.”
See full bio
New Jersey to New York Move: How Different Life Actually Is on the Other Side
Just across the Hudson River, New York seems like a natural next step for anyone leaving New Jersey, but the reality of this move tends to catch people off guard. The two states share a border, a metro area, and a general sense of East Coast energy, yet the day to day experience of living in each place is surprisingly different. New Jersey offers suburban breathing room, lower density living, and a lifestyle built around the car, while New York trades all of that for vertical living, subway commutes, and a pace that rarely slows down. Our Snappy Scout team (Diane & Alexa) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle shifts you should expect before you start stacking boxes.
Finally, a moving
estimate that's
actually about you.
We dig into the details—so you get a price that's accurate, not average.
Personalized to Your Move
We factor in the little things others leave out.
Real Prices. Not Guesswork.
Up-to-date rates from trusted moving partners.
See It Instantly
Your custom estimate in seconds—no waiting around.
Curious what your move will really cost?
Takes 30 seconds. See your price right away.
No email required
Who's Behind This Guide
Could You Drive a Moving Truck from NJ to New York?
Average distance
50miles
Typical route
Major highways you'd drive to get from New Jersey to New York include the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95), the Garden State Parkway, the Lincoln Tunnel approach via NJ-3, the George Washington Bridge via I-95/US-1/US-9, and the Goethals Bridge via I-278.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Newark, NJ → New York City, NY
~50 miles
Trenton, NJ → New York City, NY
~50 miles
Jersey City, NJ → New York City, NY
~50 miles
Atlantic City, NJ → New York City, NY
~150 miles
Cape May, NJ → New York City, NY
~200 miles
Should You Move From New Jersey to New York Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to New York 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 Reputable Movers Ask to New York from NJ?
Moving 50 miles from New Jersey to New York will typically cost between $2,500.00 and $5,500.00 to hire full service movers. See the breakdown below by home size.
Expected Range
$2,500.00–$5,500.00
Expected Time
1–8days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,510.00
1 Bedroom
$2,240.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,700.00
3 Bedrooms
$5,370.00
4 Bedrooms
$7,730.00
5+ Bedrooms
$8,600.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,510.00 | 300 | $5.03 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,240.00 | 450 | $4.98 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,700.00 | 750 | $4.93 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $5,370.00 | 1,100 | $4.88 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $7,730.00 | 1,600 | $4.83 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $8,600.00 | 1,800 | $4.78 |
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.
What about your move?
Get a personalized estimate based on the details of your New Jersey → New York move.
Personalized
for your move
Real prices
not guesswork
See it
instantly
No email required
Will Your Vibe Work in New York?
Well, it depends. If you're a Minimalist, Hipster, or Vintage Thrifter, you'll thrive in your move to New York. But if you're more of a Beach Bum, Retired Snowbird, or Stay at Home Mom, 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 New York.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from NJ to NY
Minimalism
New Jersey
4.5
/10
New York
8
/10
New Jersey
Giving up
Sleek condos with NYC skyline views, but NJ Turnpike clutter follows unless you rely on PATH or light rail
New York
Gaining
High Line zen, Muji vibes, tiny space mastery
Recommended NY cities/areas for Minimalists
Long Island CityBattery Park CityWilliamsburg
New Jersey
4.5
/10
New York
8
/10
Hipsters
New Jersey
8
/10
New York
9.5
/10
New Jersey
Giving up
Stone Pony, White Eagle Hall, vintage on Bloomfield Ave
New York
Gaining
Vintage finds, rooftop sets, Rough Trade vinyl binges
Recommended NY cities/areas for Hipsters
WilliamsburgBushwickBeacon
New Jersey
8
/10
New York
9.5
/10
Thrifting
New Jersey
7
/10
New York
8.5
/10
New Jersey
Giving up
Golden Nugget treasures, Red Bank Antique Center, Montclair goodies
New York
Gaining
Brooklyn Flea hauls, Beacon's Closet conquests
Recommended NY cities/areas for Vintage Thrifters
WilliamsburgGreenpointEast Village
New Jersey
7
/10
New York
8.5
/10
Beach Culture
New Jersey
9.5
/10
New York
4
/10
New Jersey
Giving up
Boardwalks, roller coasters, saltwater taffy, Stone Pony after-sun encores
New York
Gaining
Fun Montauk days, but chilly Atlantic and LIE traffic
Recommended NY cities/areas for Beach Bums
MontaukFire IslandJones Beach
New Jersey
9.5
/10
New York
4
/10
Snowbirds
New Jersey
5
/10
New York
3.5
/10
New Jersey
Giving up
Locals say the "Cape May bubble" keeps that area calm, but winters are colder than Boca Raton
New York
Gaining
Lovely summers, but lake effect and nor'easters chase you
Recommended NY cities/areas for Retired Snowbirds
Long BeachBrighton BeachStaten Island
New Jersey
5
/10
New York
3.5
/10
Stay At Home Moms
New Jersey
8
/10
New York
7
/10
New Jersey
Giving up
Mindowaskin Park playdates, Paper Mill shows, Whole Foods and Trader Joes runs
New York
Gaining
GreatSchools bragging, Staten Island Zoo days, LIRR carpools
Recommended NY cities/areas for Stay at Home Moms
ScarsdaleManhassetStaten Island
New Jersey
8
/10
New York
7
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of New York?
The smell of soft pretzels and dirty water dogs, the sound of waves crashing at Jones beach, and the sight of the Manhattan skyline as you cross the Throgs Neck Bridge after a roadtrip.
– Alexa Matthews
New York Local
Lifestyle differences between living in New Jersey and living in New York
New JerseyNew York
NJ to New York: A Local's Guide to the Food Scene
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 New York
BECSPK is a Sunday ritual. Also, half and half is not something you put in your coffee - it's half iced tea, half lemonade, and it's basically mandatory for a beach day.
Alexa MatthewsNew York Local ExpertNew York looking like
the right move?
There’s one more number worth knowing: what it’ll cost to get there.
Personalized for your move
Real prices not guesswork
See it instantly
No email required
What the Move to New York from NJ Changes for Your Tax Picture
New Jersey
New York
New JerseyvsNew York
State Income Tax
State Income TaxProgressive 1.4% to 10.75%, top rate over $1M, multiple brackets
Progressive 4% to 10.9%, plus NYC and Yonkers local income taxes
New Jersey
Progressive 1.4% to 10.75%, top rate over $1M, multiple brackets
VS
New York
Progressive 4% to 10.9%, plus NYC and Yonkers local income taxes
Property Taxes
Property TaxesNorth Jersey suburbs like Bergen and Essex pricier, South Jersey lower, Jersey City abatements
Long Island and Westchester highest, NYC lower effective rates, upstate counties moderate
New Jersey
North Jersey suburbs like Bergen and Essex pricier, South Jersey lower, Jersey City abatements
VS
New York
Long Island and Westchester highest, NYC lower effective rates, upstate counties moderate
How Values, Beliefs, & Politics Differ Between NJ and New York
New Jersey
New York
New JerseyvsNew York
People
PeopleDirect, fast talking, proudly diverse, neighborhood loyal, bagel and pizza opinions unshakeable
Direct, impatient in lines, generous in crises, subway savvy, opinionated, surprisingly neighborly
New Jersey
Direct, fast talking, proudly diverse, neighborhood loyal, bagel and pizza opinions unshakeable
VS
New York
Direct, impatient in lines, generous in crises, subway savvy, opinionated, surprisingly neighborly
Politics
Reliably blue statewide, GOP strength in Ocean Monmouth Sussex, suburban moderates swing
Deep blue statewide, NYC progressive, suburbs swingy, upstate mixed, local races unpredictable
New Jersey
Reliably blue statewide, GOP strength in Ocean Monmouth Sussex, suburban moderates swing
VS
New York
Deep blue statewide, NYC progressive, suburbs swingy, upstate mixed, local races unpredictable
Religion
ReligionLargely Christian, many Catholics, notable Jewish in Lakewood and Teaneck, growing Hindu Muslim unaffiliated
Plurality Christian, large Catholic, sizable Jewish in NYC, growing Muslim, Hindu, nonreligious
New Jersey
Largely Christian, many Catholics, notable Jewish in Lakewood and Teaneck, growing Hindu Muslim unaffiliated
VS
New York
Plurality Christian, large Catholic, sizable Jewish in NYC, growing Muslim, Hindu, nonreligious
The Honest Climate Comparison: NJ vs New York
SUMMER
New Jersey
boardwalk waffle iron (sticky 90s inland, ocean breeze tempers the Shore)
New York
subway sauna chic (sticky in NYC, kinder in the Adirondacks)
WINTER
New Jersey
puffer coat roulette (High Point bites, Cape May shrugs)
New York
parka plus sass required (lake effect buries Buffalo, slush auditions in Manhattan)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in New York
The "ber" months in New York are unmatched. Whether you're apple picking in Hudson valley or cruising the parkway on Long Island to get to your favorite brewery, the vibrant foliage is an instant serotonin boost. And most of the fall months bring impeccable weather -- dry with moderate temperatures -- which give limitless potential to your fall pumpkin patch photoshoot wardrobe.
Alexa MatthewsNew York Local Expert✧ You've researched the move ✧
Now put a number
on it.
See what your New Jersey → New York move could actually cost based on your move details—not somebody else's average.
- Personalized
for your move - Real prices
not guesswork - See it
instantly
Get My Instant Estimate →
No email required
Next Steps
Learn More About Moving to New York
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 New York. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from New York local experts.
Moving toAlbany
Shovel Wars, Stewart's Runs and Egg Lit Sunsets
Moving toBinghamton
Pack Spiedies. LUMA Dazzles. Free Carousels
Moving toBrooklyn
Pack Your Fixie and Your Rent Anxiety
