($1,542) Movers From Bakersfield, CA to Newark, NJ

What to know before moving from Bakersfield to Newark

Moving from Bakersfield to Newark comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Newark is generally more expensive than Bakersfield, it’s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Newark are 36% higher than in Bakersfield, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Bakersfield.
  Home prices in Newark are 22.1% higher than in Bakersfield.
• Income in Newark is 44.0% lower than in Bakersfield, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Newark include Panasonic Corporation of North America, Prudential Financial, and Prudential Capital & Investment Services.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Newark, since the cost of living for a single person in Newark is 3.3% higher than in Bakersfield. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Newark is 19.1% lower than in Bakersfield.
• The unemployment rate in Newark is 120.34% higher than in Bakersfield.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Newark, since the city’s sales taxes in Newark are 19.64% lower than in Bakersfield.
• One perk of moving to Newark is paying less in state income taxes, which are 19.55% lower than in Bakersfield.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,098.68 in Newark to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Bakersfield.

How life is different in Bakersfield vs. Newark

• Newark might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 66% less than Bakersfield.
• Newark offers better access to buses and trains than Bakersfield, based on public transportation ratings. Newark has a transit score of 9 out of 10 compared to 4 in Bakersfield. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Living in Newark means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Bakersfield. Newark is considered more walkable than Bakersfield, with a score of 76 out of 100 versus 37 out of 100 in Bakersfield. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• If cycling is your thing, Newark is considered more bike-friendly than Bakersfield in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Newark has a bike-friendliness score of 51 out of 100, while Bakersfield is rated as 44 out of 100.
• The crime rate in Newark is higher than in Bakersfield, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 75.24 in Newark, it is 58.49 in Bakersfield. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• You may want to exercise more caution as you’re getting used to your new surroundings in Newark. With a crime index of 24.76, Newark ranks lower in overall safety than Bakersfield, whose index is Bakersfield's 41.51. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
• The air quality in Newark and Bakersfield is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.

Other things to consider for your Bakersfield vs. Newark move

• Weather: Newark has cold winters and hot humid summers.
• HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
• Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
• 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 through the state's public utilities commission.
• 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 and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Newark. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.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: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Newark

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Brick City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Newark.

Helpful moving resources