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
Making the Move from NJ to Virginia: Is It Worth the Cost?
Swapping the Garden State for the Old Dominion might seem like a modest hop down the East Coast, but the differences between New Jersey and Virginia run deeper than the miles between them. New Jersey offers dense urban corridors, famously high property taxes, and a cost of living that keeps many residents perpetually eyeing the exits. Virginia, on the other hand, blends Southern charm with bustling Northern Virginia suburbs, a lower tax burden, and a pace of life that feels noticeably different once you settle in. Our Snappy Scout team (Diane & Laura) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle shifts you need to know before loading up that first moving truck.
Who's Behind This Guide
The Move from New Jersey to Virginia: Distance & Drive Time
Average distance
350miles
Typical route
I-95 S and I-295 S
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Newark, NJ → Virginia Beach, VA
~400 miles
Trenton, NJ → Richmond, VA
~300 miles
Jersey City, NJ → Arlington, VA
~250 miles
Camden, NJ → Norfolk, VA
~350 miles
Atlantic City, NJ → Roanoke, VA
~450 miles
Should You Move From New Jersey to Virginia Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Virginia 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 Typical Cost to Move to Virginia from New Jersey?
Moving 350 miles from New Jersey to Virginia 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
$1,380.00
1 Bedroom
$2,050.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,380.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,900.00
4 Bedrooms
$7,060.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,850.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,380.00 | 300 | $4.6 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,050.00 | 450 | $4.56 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,380.00 | 750 | $4.51 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,900.00 | 1,100 | $4.45 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $7,060.00 | 1,600 | $4.41 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $7,850.00 | 1,800 | $4.36 |
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.
New Jersey vs Virginia: Who Really Wins?
Well, it depends. If you're a Cowboy, Adventure Junkie, or Farmer's Market Regular, you'll thrive in your move to Virginia. But if you're more of a Beach Bum, PTA President, or Gamer, 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 Virginia.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from NJ to VA
Adventure Activities
New Jersey
6
/10
Virginia
9.5
/10
New Jersey
Giving up
Appalachian Trail miles, Pine Barrens paddles, High Point views
Virginia
Gaining
McAfee Knob, Skyline Drive, and Appalachian Trail miles.
Recommended VA cities/areas for Adventure Junkies
Shenandoah National ParkRoanokeDamascus
New Jersey
6
/10
Virginia
9.5
/10
Cowboys
New Jersey
2
/10
Virginia
3
/10
New Jersey
Giving up
Cowtown Rodeo thrills, but spurs feel lonely off Turnpike
Virginia
Gaining
Hunt country elegance, but rodeos not Fort Worth big.
Recommended VA cities/areas for Cowboys
MiddleburgWytheville
New Jersey
2
/10
Virginia
3
/10
Farmer's Markets
New Jersey
7.5
/10
Virginia
8.5
/10
New Jersey
Giving up
Jersey Fresh tomatoes, corn, blueberries, and cranberries, Collingswood Saturdays, Witherspoon Street bustle
Virginia
Gaining
Torpedo Factory vibes and Charlottesville City Market peaches.
Recommended VA cities/areas for Farmer's Market Regulars
New Jersey
7.5
/10
Virginia
8.5
/10
Beach Culture
New Jersey
9.5
/10
Virginia
4
/10
New Jersey
Giving up
Boardwalks, roller coasters, saltwater taffy, Stone Pony after-sun encores
Virginia
Gaining
Boardwalk energy, but mellow surf, occasional jellyfish parades.
Recommended VA cities/areas for Beach Bums
Virginia BeachSandbridge
New Jersey
9.5
/10
Virginia
4
/10
PTA Life
New Jersey
9
/10
Virginia
6.5
/10
New Jersey
Giving up
Friday lights, School pride, NJEA bake sale legends
Virginia
Gaining
Top schools, stadium fundraisers, and Vienna Halloween Parade.
Recommended VA cities/areas for PTA Presidents
ViennaChesapeakeGlen Allen
New Jersey
9
/10
Virginia
6.5
/10
Gaming
New Jersey
7.5
/10
Virginia
6
/10
New Jersey
Giving up
Prudential Center esports nights, Yestercades nostalgia, fast gigabit lofts
Virginia
Gaining
MAGFest at National Harbor nearby and VT esports clubs.
Recommended VA cities/areas for Gamers
New Jersey
7.5
/10
Virginia
6
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Virginia?
Smell: Pig slow-cooking in the cooker
Sound: Rolling waves at the beach, and even an occasional beach day in December or January
Event: Blue Angel and Thunderbird Air Show
– Laura Gray
Virginia Local
Lifestyle differences between living in New Jersey and living in Virginia
New JerseyVirginia
How Local Cuisine Shifts When You Move from New Jersey to Virginia
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 Virginia
What do locals actually order in the Hampton Roads area: White dip with their Mexican chips, She Crab Soup, and an Orange Crush, a one-of-a-kind kind of drink.
Laura GrayVirginia Local ExpertHow Your Taxes Shift When You Move to Virginia from New Jersey
New Jersey
Virginia
New JerseyvsVirginia
State Income Tax
State Income TaxProgressive 1.4% to 10.75%, top rate over $1M, multiple brackets
Progressive 2% to 5.75%, top rate over $17k income
New Jersey
Progressive 1.4% to 10.75%, top rate over $1M, multiple brackets
VS
Virginia
Progressive 2% to 5.75%, top rate over $17k income
Property Taxes
Property TaxesNorth Jersey suburbs like Bergen and Essex pricier, South Jersey lower, Jersey City abatements
Higher in Northern Virginia suburbs, lower in Shenandoah, Southside, Eastern Shore
New Jersey
North Jersey suburbs like Bergen and Essex pricier, South Jersey lower, Jersey City abatements
VS
Virginia
Higher in Northern Virginia suburbs, lower in Shenandoah, Southside, Eastern Shore
The Cultural, Political, & Religious Breakdown Between New Jersey and Virginia
New Jersey
Virginia
New JerseyvsVirginia
People
PeopleDirect, fast talking, proudly diverse, neighborhood loyal, bagel and pizza opinions unshakeable
Polite, history obsessed, NOVA fast paced, coastal easygoing, mountain neighborly, military strong
New Jersey
Direct, fast talking, proudly diverse, neighborhood loyal, bagel and pizza opinions unshakeable
VS
Virginia
Polite, history obsessed, NOVA fast paced, coastal easygoing, mountain neighborly, military strong
Politics
Reliably blue statewide, GOP strength in Ocean Monmouth Sussex, suburban moderates swing
Purple statewide, NOVA, Richmond, Hampton Roads blue, Southwest, Shenandoah, Southside reliably red
New Jersey
Reliably blue statewide, GOP strength in Ocean Monmouth Sussex, suburban moderates swing
VS
Virginia
Purple statewide, NOVA, Richmond, Hampton Roads blue, Southwest, Shenandoah, Southside reliably red
Religion
ReligionLargely Christian, many Catholics, notable Jewish in Lakewood and Teaneck, growing Hindu Muslim unaffiliated
Mostly Christian, Baptist and Catholic strong, rising unaffiliated, notable Muslim and Hindu in NOVA
New Jersey
Largely Christian, many Catholics, notable Jewish in Lakewood and Teaneck, growing Hindu Muslim unaffiliated
VS
Virginia
Mostly Christian, Baptist and Catholic strong, rising unaffiliated, notable Muslim and Hindu in NOVA
The Real Weather Picture: New Jersey vs Virginia
SUMMER
New Jersey
boardwalk waffle iron (sticky 90s inland, ocean breeze tempers the Shore)
Virginia
sweet tea sauna (Chesapeake breathes on you, Roanoke bakes by noon)
WINTER
New Jersey
puffer coat roulette (High Point bites, Cape May shrugs)
Virginia
coat roulette (Blue Ridge bites, Hampton Roads shrugs and rains)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Virginia
Spring: Burnside Farm's Tulip Festival (Holland in our own backyard)
Summer: Acres of sunflower fields and festivals
Fall: Fall foliage along the Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway
Winter: A 1/4" of snow for a snow day off school
Laura GrayVirginia Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to Virginia
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 Virginia. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Virginia local experts.
Moving toNorfolk
HRBT Jams, King Tides, And Mermaid Happy Hours
Moving toCharlottesville
Prep for Wine, Jeffersonian Guilt
Moving toHampton