Virginia Local Expert
Laura Gray
“I arrived in Virginia in 1988 with a teaching job, a love of sunshine, and zero idea I’d still be…”
Read more about me
Making the Move from VA to New Jersey: Read This Before You Pack a Single Box
Virginia and New Jersey sit just a few hundred miles apart on the East Coast map, yet the gap between them feels much wider once you start comparing costs, culture, and daily routines. Swapping the rolling hills and historic charm of the Old Dominion for the dense, fast-moving energy of the Garden State brings plenty of surprises that distance alone never prepares you for. Property taxes jump considerably, the pace picks up, and the access to major cities transforms how you spend your weekends. Our Snappy Scout team (Laura & Diane) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle shifts you need to understand before you start loading the truck.
Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
The Miles from Virginia to New Jersey
Average distance
350miles
Typical route
I-95 N and I-295 N
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Richmond, VA → Newark, NJ
~350 miles
Virginia Beach, VA → Jersey City, NJ
~400 miles
Norfolk, VA → Trenton, NJ
~350 miles
Charlottesville, VA → Princeton, NJ
~300 miles
Arlington, VA → Cherry Hill, NJ
~250 miles
Should You Move From Virginia to New Jersey Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to New Jersey from Virginia 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 Will Moving from Virginia to New Jersey Set You Back?
Moving 350 miles from Virginia to New Jersey 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
$1,390.00
1 Bedroom
$2,060.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,390.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,910.00
4 Bedrooms
$7,070.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,860.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,390.00 | 300 | $4.63 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,060.00 | 450 | $4.58 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,390.00 | 750 | $4.52 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,910.00 | 1,100 | $4.46 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $7,070.00 | 1,600 | $4.42 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $7,860.00 | 1,800 | $4.37 |
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.
How Will Your Current Virginia Life Play Out in New Jersey?
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 Homesteader, DIYer, 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 Virginia to New Jersey.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from VA to NJ
Shopping
Virginia
4.5
/10
New Jersey
8.5
/10
Virginia
Giving up
Great malls, but wallet cries during NOVA traffic purgatory.
New Jersey
Gaining
Paramus has more malls per mile than anywhere
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Binge Shoppers
ParamusShort HillsCherry Hill
Virginia
4.5
/10
New Jersey
8.5
/10
Wall Street Life
Virginia
4
/10
New Jersey
6
/10
Virginia
Giving up
Big deals adjacent, but not Manhattan. Expect federal contractors.
New Jersey
Gaining
NJ Transit Midtown Direct, Summit clubs, financial district across Hudson
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Wall Street Execs
Short HillsSummitMillburn
Virginia
4
/10
New Jersey
6
/10
Snowbirds
Virginia
3.5
/10
New Jersey
5
/10
Virginia
Giving up
Lovely First Landing walks, but winter chills send friends to St. Pete.
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
Virginia
3.5
/10
New Jersey
5
/10
Homesteading
Virginia
6.5
/10
New Jersey
3
/10
Virginia
Giving up
Acreage, farmers co ops, and Shenandoah canning season.
New Jersey
Gaining
Pine Barrens acres exist, but taxes tame off grid dreams
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Homesteaders
MontaguePilesgroveChatsworth
Virginia
6.5
/10
New Jersey
3
/10
DIYers
Virginia
7.5
/10
New Jersey
6.5
/10
Virginia
Giving up
Habitat ReStore hauls and Carytown salvage treasures.
New Jersey
Gaining
Habitat ReStore hauls, Home Depot runs, Millburn Lumber fixes
Recommended NJ cities/areas for DIYers
MaplewoodBloomfieldSomerville
Virginia
7.5
/10
New Jersey
6.5
/10
Military Culture
Virginia
7
/10
New Jersey
6
/10
Virginia
Giving up
Naval Station Norfolk, Oceana, Quantico clinics and community.
New Jersey
Gaining
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst nearby, beach calm, VA resources
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Retired Militaries
Burlington TownshipToms RiverBrick
Virginia
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 Virginia and living in New Jersey
VirginiaNew Jersey
What the Food Culture Looks Like in Virginia vs New Jersey
Eating 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 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 ExpertVirginia vs New Jersey: How Your Taxes Shake Out
Virginia
New Jersey
VirginiavsNew Jersey
State Income Tax
State Income TaxProgressive 2% to 5.75%, top rate over $17k income
Progressive 1.4% to 10.75%, top rate over $1M, multiple brackets
Virginia
Progressive 2% to 5.75%, top rate over $17k income
VS
New Jersey
Progressive 1.4% to 10.75%, top rate over $1M, multiple brackets
Property Taxes
Property TaxesHigher in Northern Virginia suburbs, lower in Shenandoah, Southside, Eastern Shore
North Jersey suburbs like Bergen and Essex pricier, South Jersey lower, Jersey City abatements
Virginia
Higher in Northern Virginia suburbs, lower in Shenandoah, Southside, Eastern Shore
VS
New Jersey
North Jersey suburbs like Bergen and Essex pricier, South Jersey lower, Jersey City abatements
What Looks Different About Values, Beliefs, & Politics When You Move from Virginia to New Jersey
Virginia
New Jersey
VirginiavsNew Jersey
People
PeoplePolite, history obsessed, NOVA fast paced, coastal easygoing, mountain neighborly, military strong
Direct, fast talking, proudly diverse, neighborhood loyal, bagel and pizza opinions unshakeable
Virginia
Polite, history obsessed, NOVA fast paced, coastal easygoing, mountain neighborly, military strong
VS
New Jersey
Direct, fast talking, proudly diverse, neighborhood loyal, bagel and pizza opinions unshakeable
Politics
Purple statewide, NOVA, Richmond, Hampton Roads blue, Southwest, Shenandoah, Southside reliably red
Reliably blue statewide, GOP strength in Ocean Monmouth Sussex, suburban moderates swing
Virginia
Purple statewide, NOVA, Richmond, Hampton Roads blue, Southwest, Shenandoah, Southside reliably red
VS
New Jersey
Reliably blue statewide, GOP strength in Ocean Monmouth Sussex, suburban moderates swing
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, Baptist and Catholic strong, rising unaffiliated, notable Muslim and Hindu in NOVA
Largely Christian, many Catholics, notable Jewish in Lakewood and Teaneck, growing Hindu Muslim unaffiliated
Virginia
Mostly Christian, Baptist and Catholic strong, rising unaffiliated, notable Muslim and Hindu in NOVA
VS
New Jersey
Largely Christian, many Catholics, notable Jewish in Lakewood and Teaneck, growing Hindu Muslim unaffiliated
What the Four Seasons Actually Look Like in Virginia vs New Jersey
SUMMER
Virginia
sweet tea sauna (Chesapeake breathes on you, Roanoke bakes by noon)
New Jersey
boardwalk waffle iron (sticky 90s inland, ocean breeze tempers the Shore)
WINTER
Virginia
coat roulette (Blue Ridge bites, Hampton Roads shrugs and rains)
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 Virginia, 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 toJersey City
A Deep Look At The Only City To Have Two PATH Stops In Its Limits
Moving toNewark
Ironbound Eats, PATH Zips, Branch Brook Park Blooms
