Pennsylvania Local Expert
Alyssa Kruse
“I’m a PA lifer who has moved so often I’ve learned to never give away boxes after a move. After…”
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JourneysMoving Journeys|From PAMoving from Pennsylvania|To NJMoving to New Jersey|Pennsylvania → New Jersey
Relocating from Pennsylvania to New Jersey: Is It the Right Move for You?
Neighboring states on a map can fool you into thinking a short drive equals a simple transition, but crossing from Pennsylvania into New Jersey brings more change than the mileage suggests. Pennsylvania offers a mix of quiet rural stretches, mid-sized cities, and the cultural weight of Philadelphia, while New Jersey answers back with dense suburbs, a coastline, and one of the highest costs of living in the country. The proximity is real, but the lifestyle and financial shifts are worth understanding before you commit to the move. Our Snappy Scout team (Alyssa & Diane) dug into the costs, logistics, and daily life differences you should think through before packing the first box.
Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
The Drive from Pennsylvania to New Jersey
Average distance
100miles
Typical route
Major highways used when driving from Pennsylvania to New Jersey include I-95, I-76, I-295, the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95), and the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-276).
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Philadelphia, PA → Newark, NJ
~100 miles
Pittsburgh, PA → Trenton, NJ
~350 miles
Allentown, PA → Jersey City, NJ
~100 miles
Harrisburg, PA → Cherry Hill, NJ
~150 miles
Scranton, PA → Atlantic City, NJ
~200 miles
How Much Is Moving to New Jersey from Pennsylvania Going to Cost?
Moving 100 miles from Pennsylvania to New Jersey 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
$1,490.00
1 Bedroom
$2,220.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,650.00
3 Bedrooms
$5,300.00
4 Bedrooms
$7,630.00
5+ Bedrooms
$8,490.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,490.00 | 300 | $4.97 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,220.00 | 450 | $4.93 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,650.00 | 750 | $4.87 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $5,300.00 | 1,100 | $4.82 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $7,630.00 | 1,600 | $4.77 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $8,490.00 | 1,800 | $4.72 |
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.
Is Uprooting Your Life to New Jersey from Pennsylvania Right for Me?
Well, it depends. If you're a Binge Shopper, Wall Street Exec, or Retired Snowbird, you'll thrive in your move to New Jersey. But if you're more of a Cowboy, Craft Beer Fan, or Vintage Thrifter, 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 Pennsylvania to New Jersey.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from PA to NJ
Shopping
Pennsylvania
4.5
/10
New Jersey
8.5
/10
Pennsylvania
Giving up
KOP Mall slays, Walnut Street dazzles, but no Fifth Avenue
New Jersey
Gaining
Paramus has more malls per mile than anywhere
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Binge Shoppers
ParamusShort HillsCherry Hill
Pennsylvania
4.5
/10
New Jersey
8.5
/10
Wall Street Life
Pennsylvania
4
/10
New Jersey
6
/10
Pennsylvania
Giving up
Comcast Center views, suburban mansions, but NYC deal flow rules
New Jersey
Gaining
NJ Transit Midtown Direct, Summit clubs, financial district across Hudson
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Wall Street Execs
Short HillsSummitMillburn
Pennsylvania
4
/10
New Jersey
6
/10
Snowbirds
Pennsylvania
3.5
/10
New Jersey
5
/10
Pennsylvania
Giving up
Dutch Country charm, Hersheypark grandkids bait, but winters bite hard
New Jersey
Gaining
Locals say the "Cape May bubble" keeps that area calm, but winters are colder than Boca Raton
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Retired Snowbirds
Ocean CityToms RiverCape May
Pennsylvania
3.5
/10
New Jersey
5
/10
Cowboys
Pennsylvania
5
/10
New Jersey
2
/10
Pennsylvania
Giving up
Bloomsburg Fair and rodeos exist, but this is not Fort Worth
New Jersey
Gaining
Cowtown Rodeo thrills, but spurs feel lonely off Turnpike
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Cowboys
PilesgroveAugusta
Pennsylvania
5
/10
New Jersey
2
/10
Craft Beer Culture
Pennsylvania
9.5
/10
New Jersey
8
/10
Pennsylvania
Giving up
Troegs, Dancing Gnome, Grist House, Hitchhiker Brewing, Yuenglings, Weyerbacher, Spring House Brewing, Yards Brewing, Human Robot, Wissahickon Brewing Company
New Jersey
Gaining
Kane waves, Carton cans, Mudhen Brew, Cape May Brewing, boardwalk buzz
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Craft Beer Fans
OceanAtlantic HighlandsCape MayWildwood
Pennsylvania
9.5
/10
New Jersey
8
/10
Thrifting
Pennsylvania
8
/10
New Jersey
7
/10
Pennsylvania
Giving up
Strip District finds, South Street racks, Neighborhood Flea weekends
New Jersey
Gaining
Golden Nugget treasures, Red Bank Antique Center, Montclair goodies
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Vintage Thrifters
LambertvilleRed BankMontclair
Pennsylvania
8
/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 Pennsylvania and living in New Jersey
PennsylvaniaNew Jersey
The Food Differences Between Pennsylvania and New Jersey
Eating Like a Local in Pennsylvania
To order a cheesesteak:
1. Pick your cheese: Whiz, prov, or American (Cooper Sharp is the best)
2. "Wit" or "Witout": do you want fried onions or not (you do!)
3. Move it. You're probably double-parked!
Alyssa KrusePennsylvania 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 ExpertIs New Jersey a Better State for Your Tax Bottom Line?
Pennsylvania
New Jersey
PennsylvaniavsNew Jersey
State Income Tax
State Income TaxFlat 3.07% statewide, plus local EIT, Philly wage tax notable
Progressive 1.4% to 10.75%, top rate over $1M, multiple brackets
Pennsylvania
Flat 3.07% statewide, plus local EIT, Philly wage tax notable
VS
New Jersey
Progressive 1.4% to 10.75%, top rate over $1M, multiple brackets
Property Taxes
Property TaxesHigh in Philly suburbs (Montco, Bucks), moderate Pittsburgh region, lower rural counties
North Jersey suburbs like Bergen and Essex pricier, South Jersey lower, Jersey City abatements
Pennsylvania
High in Philly suburbs (Montco, Bucks), moderate Pittsburgh region, lower rural counties
VS
New Jersey
North Jersey suburbs like Bergen and Essex pricier, South Jersey lower, Jersey City abatements
Moving to New Jersey from Pennsylvania: The Cultural, Political, & Religious Shift
Pennsylvania
New Jersey
PennsylvaniavsNew Jersey
People
PeopleGritty, neighborly, sports obsessed, Philly Pittsburgh rivalry, small town polite, big city direct
Direct, fast talking, proudly diverse, neighborhood loyal, bagel and pizza opinions unshakeable
Pennsylvania
Gritty, neighborly, sports obsessed, Philly Pittsburgh rivalry, small town polite, big city direct
VS
New Jersey
Direct, fast talking, proudly diverse, neighborhood loyal, bagel and pizza opinions unshakeable
Politics
Classic swing state: Philly and Pittsburgh blue, central and northern counties red, suburbs purple
Reliably blue statewide, GOP strength in Ocean Monmouth Sussex, suburban moderates swing
Pennsylvania
Classic swing state: Philly and Pittsburgh blue, central and northern counties red, suburbs purple
VS
New Jersey
Reliably blue statewide, GOP strength in Ocean Monmouth Sussex, suburban moderates swing
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, large Catholic share, notable Jewish communities, growing Muslim and Hindu, rising unaffiliated
Largely Christian, many Catholics, notable Jewish in Lakewood and Teaneck, growing Hindu Muslim unaffiliated
Pennsylvania
Mostly Christian, large Catholic share, notable Jewish communities, growing Muslim and Hindu, rising unaffiliated
VS
New Jersey
Largely Christian, many Catholics, notable Jewish in Lakewood and Teaneck, growing Hindu Muslim unaffiliated
Pennsylvania to New Jersey: A Seasonal Guide
SUMMER
Pennsylvania
Philly subway sauna vibes (sticky 90s with humidity that makes it feel like 100°). The mountain evenings are merciful in the Poconos.
New Jersey
boardwalk waffle iron (sticky 90s inland, ocean breeze tempers the Shore)
WINTER
Pennsylvania
choose your own chill. Lake Erie flurries can go blizzard mode, Philly gets slush usually right after you shovel, and the Poconos snow pack gets real cold.
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 ExpertNext 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 Pennsylvania, 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 toNewark
Ironbound Eats, PATH Zips, Branch Brook Park Blooms
