($1,604) Cost of Moving From California to New Jersey
Quick answer: The average cost to move from California to New Jersey ranges from $1,968 to $9,409 and takes seven–21 days. The top cost factors are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.
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Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from New Jersey to California guide.
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The best California to New Jersey full-service movers
Moving from California to New Jersey? With thousands of moving companies in the U.S., hiring the right interstate moving company can be a challenge.
To simplify your search, we've selected the most reliable movers based on our detailed analysis of customer reviews, pricing, and service offerings.
Start with these top long-distance moving companies serving California for your New Jersey relocation:
- Safeway Moving: Best overall value
- Mayzlin Relocation: Best for personalized service
- American Van Lines: Most experienced mover
- Allied Van Lines: Best for contents coverage
- North American Van Lines: Best customized plans
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
- Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
- Hands-on customer service
- 24/7 support
- Price-matching policy
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
- Fragile packing
- Storage options
- 24/7 shipment tracking
- Quick & efficient
- Accurate quotes
- Custom crates for electronics & art
- Satellite shipment tracking
- 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
- Self-packing option
- No deposit required
The best California to New Jersey moving container companies
Moving containers allow you to save money without having to go the full DIY route. While you’ll have to handle loading and unloading, the container company has you covered on transportation — they’ll pick up your pod in California and drop it off at your new home in New Jersey.
Check out these highly rated moving container companies:
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The best California to New Jersey moving truck rentals
Moving truck rentals are the most cost-effective way to move from California to New Jersey, although they’re also the most labor-intensive. You’ll save big by doing all the heavy lifting and driving.
We like these rental moving trucks:
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The best California to New Jersey labor-only movers
If you need help moving some or all of your items into a container or rental truck, you can hire labor-only movers. They’ll send over a professional crew the right size for your move and you’ll pay only for the amount of time they work.
Consider one of these top-notch moving labor companies for your move from California to New Jersey:
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How we chose the best moving companies for your CA to NJ move
moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 281 California movers and listed the top movers based on customer satisfaction, reviews, and cost.
Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.
Dispute resolution (20%): Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry. We look for companies that own their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.
Industry reputation (15%): The company is well-regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.
Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information. The company promptly and professionally responds to online customer inquiries.
Service options (10%): We look for companies with a deep breadth of services including full packing, storage, specialty item handling, and expedited delivery.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
How much does it cost to move from California to New Jersey?
The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from California to New Jersey for different moving services depending on the size of your home.
| Move size | Moving company | Moving container | Rental truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 Bedroom | $1,604 - $7,179 | $1,735 - $4,499 | $1,988 - $3,785 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $5,130 - $9,409 | $2,923 - $6,565 | $1,968 - $4,462 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $9,467 - $15,039 | $4,459 - $8,788 | $2,594 - $5,153 |
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 2,886 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect your final costs.
Cost to hire movers from California to New Jersey
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from California to New Jersey will cost between $1,604 and $7,179. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from CA to NJ will range from $5,130 to $9,409, and a large move from California to New Jersey will cost from $9,467 to $15,039.
Cost of moving containers from California to New Jersey
Moving containers from California to New Jersey will cost you $1,735 to $4,499 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,923 to $6,565. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $4,459 to $8,788. Learn more about PODS cost.
Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of California.
Cost of moving truck rentals from California to New Jersey
A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.
Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around
$1,988 to $3,785.
A two to three-bedroom move will cost
$1,968 to $4,462,
and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from California to New Jersey costs from
$2,594 to $5,153.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.
Factors affecting the cost of moving from CA to NJ
There are many factors that influence California moving costs. The cost to move from California to New Jersey will depend on these factors:
- Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
- Time of year: The peak moving season in California is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
- DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.
What to know before moving from CA to NJ
If you’re moving to New Jersey from California, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.
Cost of living: California vs. New Jersey
| California | New Jersey | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,856 | $1,368 |
| Average home cost | $771,057 | $534,773 |
| Average income (per capita) | $91,905 | $97,126 |
| Cost of Living Index | 134 | 114 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4% | 4.7% |
| Average Sales Tax | 8.68% | 6.6% |
| State Income Tax | 13.3% | 10.7% |
- Rent is about 26% less expensive in New Jersey than in California.
- Home prices are about 31% lower in New Jersey than in California.
- The average income is about 6% higher in New Jersey than in California.
- Cost of living is 15% lower in New Jersey than in California.
- New Jersey has a lower unemployment rate than California by about 13%.
- Sales taxes are 24% lower in New Jersey than in California.
- Income taxes are 20% lower in New Jersey than in California.
How life is different in New Jersey vs. California
| New Jersey | California | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 9,290,841 | 39,029,342 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 52-46.1 | Democratic 59-41 |
| Summer high | 85ºF | 87ºF |
| Winter low | 22ºF | 59ºF |
| Annual rain | 48" | 22" |
| Annual snow | 23" | 7" |
| Crime index | 16.2 | 28.43 |
- The population of New Jersey is approximately 76% lower than the population of California.
- In the last presidential election, New Jersey voted Democratic and California voted Democratic.
- The average high in the summertime in New Jersey is 85ºF and in California, it’s 87ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, New Jersey reaches the temperature of 22ºF and California gets down to 59ºF.
- You can expect about 48 inches of annual rainfall in New Jersey versus 22 inches of rainfall in California.
- In New Jersey, it snows about 23 inches annually versus 7 inches of snow in California.
- New Jersey has a lower crime rate than California with a crime index of 16.2 vs. 28.43.
Comparing the pros of California vs. New Jersey
Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in New Jersey compared to California.
| Pros of living in California | Pros of living in New Jersey |
|---|---|
| Ample economic opportunity | Bountiful recreational opportunities |
| Pleasant weather | Diversity |
| Abundant recreational options | World-class entertainment |
| High quality of life | Leading education |
| Fresh and healthy foods | Superb health care |
Comparing the cons of living in California vs. New Jersey
Everything can’t be sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving California for New Jersey.
| Cons of living in California | Cons of living in New Jersey |
|---|---|
| High cost of living | Extreme weather |
| Heavy tax burdens | Congested population |
| Natural disasters | High cost of living |
| Terrible traffic | High tax burden |
| Strange laws | Terrible traffic |
Other things to consider for your California to New Jersey move
- Weather: New Jersey summers are typically hot and humid and winters are usually cold. During winter and early spring, New Jersey can experience "nor'easters", which are capable of causing blizzards or flooding throughout the northeastern United States.
- HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Elevator reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
- Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
- 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. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a New Jersey moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
- Moving permits: New Jersey does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
- Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to New Jersey. Get started here.
- Mover's insurance: Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers. 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: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
Things to do in New Jersey
While you’re in New Jersey, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:
- Atlantic City and Boardwalk
- Ocean City
- Cape May
- Grounds for Sculpture
- Casino Pier and Breakwater Beach Water Park
- Six Flags Great Adventure and Wild Safari
- Battleship New Jersey
- Thomas Edison National Historical Park
- Liberty Science Center
- Adventure Aquarium
- Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
- Essex County Turtle Back Zoo
- Morey's Piers & Beachfront Water Parks
- Monmouth Battlefield State Park
- Liberty State Park
- High Point State Park
- Lucy the Elephant
- Paterson Great Falls
- Barnegat Lighthouse State Park
- Sterling Hill Mining Museum
- Island Beach State Park
- Jenkinson’s Boardwalk
- Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge
- Garden State Discovery Museum
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to move from California to New Jersey?
Hiring a full-service California moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually the cheaper way to go, but requires more work. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.
Do movers transport your car from California to New Jersey?
Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee. But you can also handle vehicle transport from California to New Jersey separately through one of the top car shipping companies.
What are the benefits of moving from California to New Jersey?
The main reasons people are moving from California to New Jersey are the amazing upsides of living in New Jersey such as bountiful recreational opportunities and diversity.
Is it cheaper to live in California or New Jersey?
It is generally cheaper to live in New Jersey than in California. Housing is much more affordable in New Jersey, with average rent about 26% less and home prices 30.6% lower than in California. Taxes are also lower in New Jersey, most notably income taxes, which are more than 10% less than those paid by California residents.
How much should you make a year to live comfortably in New Jersey?
You should make approximately $44,219 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in New Jersey. The cost of living in New Jersey is approximately $3,026 per month for an individual and $6,438 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in New Jersey you live For example, larger cities like Trenton and Newark will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
