Durham, NC to Jersey City, NJ Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Durham to Jersey City typically costs $2,200–$5,700 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 480 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Durham to Jersey City
Moving from Durham, NC to Jersey City, NJ typically costs $2,200–$5,700 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 480-mile move from Durham to Jersey City, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 16, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
Studio / 1 bedroom
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2-3 bedrooms
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4+ bedrooms
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Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- Allied Van Lines recently quoted $4,805 for a 4 bedroom using professional movers.
- 1-800-Pack-Rat recently quoted $2,196 for a 5+ bedroom using a moving container.
- United Van Lines recently quoted $4,895 for a 3 bedroom using professional movers.
4 Bedrooms
Jan 29, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Jan 27, 2026
3 Bedrooms
Jan 20, 2026
3 Bedrooms
Jan 07, 2026
1 Bedroom (large)
Dec 26, 2025
1 Bedroom (small)
Dec 25, 2025
2 Bedrooms
Dec 18, 2025
5+ Bedrooms
Dec 12, 2025
2 Bedrooms
Dec 09, 2025
1 Bedroom (large)
Dec 01, 2025
Factors that affect moving costs from Durham to Jersey City
Your total cost will depend on:
- How much stuff you have: A one-bedroom move from Durham to Jersey City may only cost $1,200, whereas a full four-bedroom relocation can approach $7,900.
- The season you're moving in: Movers charge more in summer, the busiest months in Durham.
- Which type of mover you use: Save with a truck rental ($400–$1,200), but expect more hassle than hiring pros.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Jersey City, NJ to Durham, NC guide.
Best Durham to Jersey City movers by type
Professional
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Local
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Container
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Rental Truck
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Labor Only
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Best professional movers from Durham to Jersey City
Choosing a full-service mover is ideal when you prefer experts to oversee your interstate move from Durham to Jersey City. These companies handle all the details, allowing you to dedicate your energy to your next steps.
Want a deeper breakdown of the top long-distance movers? See our best interstate movers guide.
- Safeway Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Best overall value
How we chose the best NC→NJ movers
moveBuddha's dedicated analysts have scrutinized moving rates across 115 North Carolina moving firms, selecting the top providers by assessing customer approval, reviews, and affordability.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): The team ensures timely service delivery, engages in effective communication, and adheres to the projected costs.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Moving isn’t perfect, and mistakes will happen. We highlight movers that handle those situations honestly and put effort into resolving them fairly.
- Industry reputation (15%): The company is well-regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.
- Online reputation (15%): This mover keeps its website up to date and provides timely, professional replies to questions or concerns raised online.
- Service options (10%): Companies stand out when they provide comprehensive options such as full-service packing, safe storage, handling of specialty items, and expedited shipping.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from Durham to Jersey City
Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Jersey City runs about 57% higher for singles and 66% higher for families than Durham.
Singles spend around $4,397 in Jersey City versus $2,803 in Durham; families pay $9,861 compared with $5,945.
Dig into the side-by-side details here:
| Durham | Jersey City | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,875 | $3,306 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $2,573 | $5,833 |
| Average home value | $391,719 | $589,419 |
| Average income (per capita) | $69,117 | $75,265 |
| Cost of living (single) | $2,803 | $4,397 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $5,945 | $9,861 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.1% | 8.3% |
| Sales tax | 7.5% | 6.63% |
| State income tax | 4.5% | 10.7% |
- Rent is about 75% more expensive in Jersey City than in Durham. Make sure to include this increase in your monthly budget.
- Plan for a heftier mortgage payment since home prices are approximately 50% steeper in Jersey City compared to Durham.
- Here's some fantastic news, the average income is approximately 9% greater in Jersey City than in Durham, offering more potential for savings or investments each month.
- Prepare for elevated costs in Jersey City, with the cost of living for a single person being 57% more than in Durham. This includes routine costs such as utilities, groceries, clothes, and transportation.
- When considering a family move to Jersey City, prepare for a potential rise in household expenses. The cost of living for a family here is 66% higher than in Durham.
- Jersey City has a higher unemployment rate than Durham by about 102%. This means that more people are out of work, so employers may have a larger pool of candidates to choose from, which can lead to a more competitive hiring process.
- Sales taxes are 12% cheaper in Jersey City compared to Durham. This could significantly slash costs for families or individuals with higher spending on taxable necessities.
- Income taxes are 138% more in New Jersey than in North Carolina. This increase in state taxes means you will retain less of your earnings, impacting your disposable income.
Here’s the side-by-side view of common monthly bills and day-to-day expenses in Durham versus Jersey City:
| Living Expense | Durham | Jersey City |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $148.21 | $118.73 |
| Cell phone plan | $51.67 | $41.88 |
| Dozen eggs | $4.53 | $4.71 |
| Loaf of bread | $3.66 | $3.97 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $15.00 | $20.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $70.00 | $100.00 |
| Gym membership | $40.00 | $80.00 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Durham than in Jersey City.
- Cell phone plans typically cost more in Durham than in Jersey City.
- Eggs are less expensive in Durham than in Jersey City.
- Bread costs less in Durham than in Jersey City.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Durham than in Jersey City.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Durham than in Jersey City.
- Gym memberships are more affordable in Durham than in Jersey City.
How life is different in Durham vs. Jersey City
| Durham | Jersey City | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 283,506 | 292,449 |
| Transportation score | 4 | 9 |
| Walkability score | 30 | 87 |
| Bike friendliness score | 38 | 64 |
| Crime index | 54.72 | 43.21 |
| Safety index | 45.28 | 56.79 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
- Jersey City's population is within about 5% of Durham, so they’re very similar in size.
- Jersey City's public transportation score of 9 out of 10 is higher than Durham's score of 4.
- Jersey City is more walkable than Durham with a score of 87 out of 100 vs Durham's 30 out of 100.
- With a score of 64 out of 100, Jersey City is more bike-friendly than Durham, which has a score of 38 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited it is to safely accommodating cyclists.
- Jersey City's crime rate is lower than Durham with a score of 43.21 compared to Durham's 54.72. This means that Jersey City neighborhoods are safer than 43.21% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Durham neighborhoods are safer than 54.72%.
- Jersey City is considered to be safer than Durham with a safety index of 56.79 vs Durham's 45.28.
- Air quality in Jersey City is Moderate, and in Durham it's Good.
Other things to consider for your Durham to Jersey City move
- HOA rules: Plan time to look into your HOA or community rules and regulations before moving day arrives, to avoid any delays.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
- Truck parking permits: Many cities require special permits for parking large moving trucks. Check in advance to see if one is needed for your move.
- State licensing: In New Jersey, the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs handles the regulation of in-state moving companies. The state’s Division of Consumer Affairs works to ensure that warehousemen (public storage companies) and public movers provide safe, reliable, and ethical services while adhering to all relevant state rules and regulations. Ensure the company you choose is licensed to handle your move.
- State regulator: To confirm a moving company's license in New Jersey, visit the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: Moving permits aren’t typically required in New Jersey, but always confirm with local authorities to avoid surprises.
- Change of address: You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Jersey City. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Each state has its own requirements for the level of insurance moving companies must carry. Released Value Protection is the most economical option as it incurs no cost. It is provided by movers at no additional charge, but the coverage is minimal. Under this option, no more than 60 cents per pound per article is the responsibility of the mover. For example, if a delicate china set weighing 20 pounds is lost or damaged by the mover, only $12 (60 cents x 20 pounds) would be received. If coverage for the full value of your items is needed, consultation with the moving company you're hiring for other options or a third-party insurance provider is recommended.
- Moving checklist: Let our moving checklist guide you through the process and help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
Where to live in Jersey City
With your sights set on J.C., these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Jersey City.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Journal Square
- Mcginley Square
- The Heights
- The Waterfront
- Liberty Park
- Downtown
Best neighborhoods for families
- Greenville
- Mcginley Square
- West Side
- Hackensack Waterfront
- Grove Street
- Downtown
Things to do in Jersey City
With your move to New Jersey complete, you can dive right into experiencing Jersey City. From cultural attractions to outdoor adventures, you'll never run out of things to do:
- Arts and culture: Jersey City is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Liberty Science Center, Mana Contemporary, 107 Bowers Gallery & ArtSpace, and Novado Gallery.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Liberty State Park, Liberty Landing Marina, J. Owen Grundy Park, and Lincoln Park — among other spots — perfect for hiking, biking, or simply soaking up the outdoors.
- Sports: Experience the energy of a live game and back the home team at an Saint Peter’s Peacocks (MAAC) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Durham to Jersey City?
If you're flexible with timing, spring and fall are great seasons to move from Durham to Jersey City. You'll dodge the heat, the crowds, and the higher moving costs typical of peak season in Durham.
When is the cheapest time to move from Durham to Jersey City?
Want to save on your move from Durham to Jersey City? Consider scheduling it in winter, when demand is lower and rates are often cheaper. Our moving discounts guide shows you how.
How long does a move from Durham to Jersey City take?
The 480-mile move from Durham, NC, to Jersey City, NJ, takes one to four days. Some Durham movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Jersey City.
Need help moving a piano or antiques in Durham?
These delicate items require movers with specialized training. Currently, 18 movers in Durham provide piano moving services. 7 can transport antiques with care. Statewide, there are 77 piano movers and 37 antique movers, with nationwide counts at 2,296 and 1,463.
Demand for these services can be high, so schedule your specialty move as far ahead as possible.
