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
From New Jersey to Utah: Cost of Living Comparison
Leaving the dense corridors of New Jersey for the wide open landscapes of Utah is one of the more dramatic lifestyle pivots a mover can make. You are trading crowded turnpikes and ocean breezes for mountain ranges and desert sunsets, and the contrast goes far deeper than scenery. The cost of living shift alone will reshape your monthly budget in ways that catch plenty of newcomers off guard, and the cultural pace between the two states could not feel more different. Our Snappy Scout team (Diane & Ann) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle changes you should expect before packing the first box.
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Who's Behind This Guide
How Many Miles You'd Drive from NJ to Utah?
Average distance
2,150miles
Typical route
I-78 W, I-76 W, I-70 W, I-15 N
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Newark, NJ → Salt Lake City, UT
~2150 miles
Jersey City, NJ → Provo, UT
~2150 miles
Trenton, NJ → Ogden, UT
~2200 miles
Camden, NJ → St. George, UT
~2300 miles
Atlantic City, NJ → West Valley City, UT
~2200 miles
Should You Move From New Jersey to Utah Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Utah 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.
What's the Average Cost to Relocate to Utah from NJ?
Moving 2,150 miles from New Jersey to Utah 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
5–12days
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.
What about your move?
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The Vibe Fit: NJ vs Utah
Well, it depends. If you're a Cowboy, Retired Snowbird, or DIYer, you'll thrive in your move to Utah. But if you're more of a Beach Bum, Coffee Snob, or Craft Beer Fan, 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 Utah.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from NJ to UT
Cowboys
New Jersey
2
/10
Utah
8.5
/10
New Jersey
Giving up
Cowtown Rodeo thrills, but spurs feel lonely off Turnpike
Utah
Gaining
Ogden Pioneer Days, Heber rodeos, Uintah Basin ranch culture, Cross Hollow Arena, Dixie Roundup rodeo.
Recommended UT cities/areas for Cowboys
OgdenHeber CityVernalCedar City
New Jersey
2
/10
Utah
8.5
/10
Snowbirds
New Jersey
5
/10
Utah
8
/10
New Jersey
Giving up
Locals say the "Cape May bubble" keeps that area calm, but winters are colder than Boca Raton
Utah
Gaining
Warm winters, Snow Canyon hikes, Tuacahn concerts under stars.
Recommended UT cities/areas for Retired Snowbirds
St. GeorgeWashingtonHurricane
New Jersey
5
/10
Utah
8
/10
DIYers
New Jersey
6.5
/10
Utah
7.5
/10
New Jersey
Giving up
Habitat ReStore hauls, Home Depot runs, Millburn Lumber fixes
Utah
Gaining
Craft Lake City festival, RC Willey runs, projects erupt.
Recommended UT cities/areas for DIYers
Salt Lake CityLehiOgden
New Jersey
6.5
/10
Utah
7.5
/10
Beach Culture
New Jersey
9.5
/10
Utah
3
/10
New Jersey
Giving up
Boardwalks, roller coasters, saltwater taffy, Stone Pony after-sun encores
Utah
Gaining
Sunny days abound, but Great Salt Lake is not Maui.
Recommended UT cities/areas for Beach Bums
St. GeorgeGarden CityHurricane
New Jersey
9.5
/10
Utah
3
/10
Coffee Culture
New Jersey
8.5
/10
Utah
6
/10
New Jersey
Giving up
Bluestone Lane, modcup roasts, Asbury Roastery beach sips
Utah
Gaining
Publik roasts, La Barba, and Blue Copper cuppings.
Recommended UT cities/areas for Coffee Snobs
Salt Lake CityProvoOgden
New Jersey
8.5
/10
Utah
6
/10
Craft Beer Culture
New Jersey
8
/10
Utah
6.5
/10
New Jersey
Giving up
Kane waves, Carton cans, Mudhen Brew, Cape May Brewing, boardwalk buzz
Utah
Gaining
Fisher, Kiitos taps, state store adventures, early last call, Strap Tank
Recommended UT cities/areas for Craft Beer Fans
Salt Lake CityOgdenMidvaleSt. George
New Jersey
8
/10
Utah
6.5
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Utah?
Stunning mountain vistas, unrivaled fine art culture, red rocks and the smell of sage after rain!
– Ann Broadbent
Utah Local
Lifestyle differences between living in New Jersey and living in Utah
New JerseyUtah
How the Way Locals Eat Looks Different When You Move from NJ to Utah
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 Utah
Steak, french fries with fry sauce.
Sweet Pork Burrito Supreme with rice and beans, sour cream and guacamole
Ann BroadbentUtah Local ExpertUtah looking like
the right move?
There’s one more number worth knowing: what it’ll cost to get there.
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Real prices not guesswork
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How Your Taxes Change When You Move to Utah from NJ
New Jersey
Utah
New JerseyvsUtah
State Income Tax
State Income TaxProgressive 1.4% to 10.75%, top rate over $1M, multiple brackets
Flat 4.55 percent statewide
New Jersey
Progressive 1.4% to 10.75%, top rate over $1M, multiple brackets
VS
Utah
Flat 4.55 percent statewide
Property Taxes
Property TaxesNorth Jersey suburbs like Bergen and Essex pricier, South Jersey lower, Jersey City abatements
Moderate effective rates, Salt Lake County higher, Park City pricier, rural counties lowest
New Jersey
North Jersey suburbs like Bergen and Essex pricier, South Jersey lower, Jersey City abatements
VS
Utah
Moderate effective rates, Salt Lake County higher, Park City pricier, rural counties lowest
The People, Politics, & Religion Landscape Between NJ and Utah
New Jersey
Utah
New JerseyvsUtah
People
PeopleDirect, fast talking, proudly diverse, neighborhood loyal, bagel and pizza opinions unshakeable
Famously friendly, family centered, outdoorsy, earnest, neighbor helpful
New Jersey
Direct, fast talking, proudly diverse, neighborhood loyal, bagel and pizza opinions unshakeable
VS
Utah
Famously friendly, family centered, outdoorsy, earnest, neighbor helpful
Politics
Reliably blue statewide, GOP strength in Ocean Monmouth Sussex, suburban moderates swing
Deep red statewide, Salt Lake City and Moab bluer, college towns lean progressive
New Jersey
Reliably blue statewide, GOP strength in Ocean Monmouth Sussex, suburban moderates swing
VS
Utah
Deep red statewide, Salt Lake City and Moab bluer, college towns lean progressive
Religion
ReligionLargely Christian, many Catholics, notable Jewish in Lakewood and Teaneck, growing Hindu Muslim unaffiliated
Predominantly LDS, then other Christians, rising unaffiliated, small Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist communities
New Jersey
Largely Christian, many Catholics, notable Jewish in Lakewood and Teaneck, growing Hindu Muslim unaffiliated
VS
Utah
Predominantly LDS, then other Christians, rising unaffiliated, small Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist communities
The Real Weather Reality: NJ vs Utah
SUMMER
New Jersey
boardwalk waffle iron (sticky 90s inland, ocean breeze tempers the Shore)
Utah
Red rock broiler mode (triple digits in St. George, asphalt shimmer in Moab), cool mornings and evenings in northern climbs.
WINTER
New Jersey
puffer coat roulette (High Point bites, Cape May shrugs)
Utah
Mountain freezer (wear that puffy coat along with hat & gloves (Wasatch nights bite, St. George keeps golfing).
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Utah
Spring blooms in Southern Utah, cool summer evenings in Northern Utah, stunning fall colors in Central and Northern Utah, winter snow covered mountains throughout the state, music fests, Peach Days, farmers markets, indoor and outdoor theater, friendly people, breathtaking geography
Ann BroadbentUtah Local Expert✧ You've researched the move ✧
Now put a number
on it.
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Next Steps
Learn More About Moving to Utah
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 Utah. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Utah local experts.
