Utah Local Expert
Ann Broadbent
“I have lived in Utah for nearly four decades, and never cease to be profoundly impacted by its incredible beauty.…”
Read more about me
From Utah to New Jersey: What Life Is Really Like
Trading red rock canyons and mountain trails for dense neighborhoods and a skyline full of skyscrapers is a bigger adjustment than most people anticipate. Utah offers wide open space, a relatively low cost of living, and an outdoor lifestyle that feels built into the culture, while New Jersey delivers urban access, East Coast energy, and a pace of life that rarely slows down. The contrast between the two states goes well beyond geography, touching everything from your grocery bill to your daily commute. Our Snappy Scout team (Ann & Diane) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle shifts you should expect before you start loading the moving truck.
Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
Driving a Moving Truck from UT to New Jersey
Average distance
2,150miles
Typical route
I-80 E and I-76 E
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Salt Lake City, UT → Newark, NJ
~2150 miles
Provo, UT → Trenton, NJ
~2150 miles
Ogden, UT → Jersey City, NJ
~2200 miles
St. George, UT → Camden, NJ
~2350 miles
Logan, UT → Atlantic City, NJ
~2250 miles
Unpacking the Cost of a UT to New Jersey Relocation
Moving 2,150 miles from Utah to New Jersey 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
$1,270.00
1 Bedroom
$1,870.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,080.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,460.00
4 Bedrooms
$6,410.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,120.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,270.00 | 300 | $4.23 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,870.00 | 450 | $4.16 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,080.00 | 750 | $4.11 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,460.00 | 1,100 | $4.05 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $6,410.00 | 1,600 | $4.01 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $7,120.00 | 1,800 | $3.96 |
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 Your Lifestyle Built for a Move from UT to New Jersey?
Well, it depends. If you're a Binge Shopper, Wall Street Exec, or Foodie, you'll thrive in your move to New Jersey. But if you're more of a Homesteader, Adventure Junkie, or Retired Military, 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 Utah to New Jersey.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from UT to NJ
Shopping
Utah
6
/10
New Jersey
8.5
/10
Utah
Giving up
City Creek splurges, Fashion Place hauls, Station Park therapy.
New Jersey
Gaining
Paramus has more malls per mile than anywhere
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Binge Shoppers
ParamusShort HillsCherry Hill
Utah
6
/10
New Jersey
8.5
/10
Wall Street Life
Utah
3.5
/10
New Jersey
6
/10
Utah
Giving up
Salt Lake City Goldman hub exists, but deal flow slower.
New Jersey
Gaining
NJ Transit Midtown Direct, Summit clubs, financial district across Hudson
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Wall Street Execs
Short HillsSummitMillburn
Utah
3.5
/10
New Jersey
6
/10
Foodies
Utah
8
/10
New Jersey
9.5
/10
Utah
Giving up
Red Iguana mole, Takashi sushi, Hell's Backbone pilgrimages.
New Jersey
Gaining
Razza pies, Ani Ramen slurps, Fiore's mozz hero worship
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Foodies
Jersey CityMontclairHoboken
Utah
8
/10
New Jersey
9.5
/10
Adventure Activities
Utah
9.5
/10
New Jersey
6
/10
Utah
Giving up
Zion slots, Moab slickrock, Wasatch powder days galore, Snow Canyon
New Jersey
Gaining
Appalachian Trail miles, Pine Barrens paddles, High Point views
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Adventure Junkies
VernonHardwickHammonton
Utah
9.5
/10
New Jersey
6
/10
Homesteading
Utah
5.5
/10
New Jersey
3
/10
Utah
Giving up
Acreage, cold storage, Peach Days runs in Brigham City.
New Jersey
Gaining
Pine Barrens acres exist, but taxes tame off grid dreams
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Homesteaders
MontaguePilesgroveChatsworth
Utah
5.5
/10
New Jersey
3
/10
Military Culture
Utah
7
/10
New Jersey
6
/10
Utah
Giving up
Hill Air Force Base neighbors, VA Salt Lake support, St. George VA Center.
New Jersey
Gaining
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst nearby, beach calm, VA resources
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Retired Militaries
Burlington TownshipToms RiverBrick
Utah
7
/10
New Jersey
6
/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 Utah and living in New Jersey
UtahNew Jersey
UT to New Jersey: A Local's Guide to Eating
Eating 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 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 ExpertWhat the Move to New Jersey from UT Looks Like for Your Tax Situation
Utah
New Jersey
UtahvsNew Jersey
State Income Tax
State Income TaxFlat 4.55 percent statewide
Progressive 1.4% to 10.75%, top rate over $1M, multiple brackets
Utah
Flat 4.55 percent statewide
VS
New Jersey
Progressive 1.4% to 10.75%, top rate over $1M, multiple brackets
Property Taxes
Property TaxesModerate effective rates, Salt Lake County higher, Park City pricier, rural counties lowest
North Jersey suburbs like Bergen and Essex pricier, South Jersey lower, Jersey City abatements
Utah
Moderate effective rates, Salt Lake County higher, Park City pricier, rural counties lowest
VS
New Jersey
North Jersey suburbs like Bergen and Essex pricier, South Jersey lower, Jersey City abatements
From UT to New Jersey: How Values, Beliefs, & Politics Look Different
Utah
New Jersey
UtahvsNew Jersey
People
PeopleFamously friendly, family centered, outdoorsy, earnest, neighbor helpful
Direct, fast talking, proudly diverse, neighborhood loyal, bagel and pizza opinions unshakeable
Utah
Famously friendly, family centered, outdoorsy, earnest, neighbor helpful
VS
New Jersey
Direct, fast talking, proudly diverse, neighborhood loyal, bagel and pizza opinions unshakeable
Politics
Deep red statewide, Salt Lake City and Moab bluer, college towns lean progressive
Reliably blue statewide, GOP strength in Ocean Monmouth Sussex, suburban moderates swing
Utah
Deep red statewide, Salt Lake City and Moab bluer, college towns lean progressive
VS
New Jersey
Reliably blue statewide, GOP strength in Ocean Monmouth Sussex, suburban moderates swing
Religion
ReligionPredominantly LDS, then other Christians, rising unaffiliated, small Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist communities
Largely Christian, many Catholics, notable Jewish in Lakewood and Teaneck, growing Hindu Muslim unaffiliated
Utah
Predominantly LDS, then other Christians, rising unaffiliated, small Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist communities
VS
New Jersey
Largely Christian, many Catholics, notable Jewish in Lakewood and Teaneck, growing Hindu Muslim unaffiliated
Climate in UT vs New Jersey: A Local's Real Take
SUMMER
Utah
Red rock broiler mode (triple digits in St. George, asphalt shimmer in Moab), cool mornings and evenings in northern climbs.
New Jersey
boardwalk waffle iron (sticky 90s inland, ocean breeze tempers the Shore)
WINTER
Utah
Mountain freezer (wear that puffy coat along with hat & gloves (Wasatch nights bite, St. George keeps golfing).
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 Utah, 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 toElizabeth
EWR Roar, 13A, Pastéis, And Port Crane Views
Moving toNewark
Ironbound Eats, PATH Zips, Branch Brook Park Blooms
