Washington DC, MD to Jersey City, NJ Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)

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Quick answer: Moving from Washington DC to Jersey City typically costs $1,700–$4,700 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 221 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.

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  • Best overall value
  • Veteran owned
  • Portion to charity
moveBuddha logo iconrating star star star star star 4.9 / 5
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  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned
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  • Specialty packing services
  • White-glove reputation
  • 80+ years' experience

Cost to move from Washington DC to Jersey City

Moving from Washington DC, MD to Jersey City, NJ typically costs $1,700–$4,700 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.

The price ranges below are estimates for a 221-mile move from Washington DC to Jersey City, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 16, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.

Studio Icon

Studio / 1 bedroom

  • Moving Company $1,000 - $3,600
  • Moving Container $900 - $1,600
  • Rental Truck $300 - $500
Two Three Bed Icon

2-3 bedrooms

  • Moving Company $1,700 - $4,700
  • Moving Container $1,200 - $2,200
  • Rental Truck $300 - $600
Four Bed Icon

4+ bedrooms

  • Moving Company $2,100 - $5,700
  • Moving Container $1,500 - $2,700
  • Rental Truck $400 - $700

Recent moving quotes for similar moves

  • Colonial Van Lines recently quoted $3,204 for a 5+ bedroom using professional movers.
  • Joyce Van Lines recently quoted $1,774 for a 1 bedroom (small) using professional movers.
  • 1-800-Pack-Rat recently quoted $1,885 for a 5+ bedroom using a moving container.
Recent Moving Price Estimates
The following are real, anonymized quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 48 hours. Prices change with dates and availability; use these as a ballpark, not a guarantee.
Colonial Van Lines
Camp Springs, MD Paterson, NJ
Icon of a house 5+ Bedrooms
Icon of a calendar Feb 12, 2026
Joyce Van Lines
La Plata, MD Tenafly, NJ
Icon of a house 1 Bedroom (small)
Icon of a calendar Feb 12, 2026
1-800-Pack-Rat
Milford Mill, MD Dunellen, NJ
Icon of a house 5+ Bedrooms
Icon of a calendar Feb 10, 2026
Roadway Moving
Fairwood, MD Cedar Grove, NJ
Icon of a house 3 Bedrooms
Icon of a calendar Feb 09, 2026
BLVD Moving
Owings Mills, MD Ramsey, NJ
Icon of a house 3 Bedrooms
Icon of a calendar Feb 04, 2026
North American Van Lines
Leisure World, MD Watchung, NJ
Icon of a house 4 Bedrooms
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AB Moving
Highland Beach, MD Ridgefield Park, NJ
Icon of a house 5+ Bedrooms
Icon of a calendar Jan 24, 2026
PODS
College Park, MD Fair Haven, NJ
Icon of a house 4 Bedrooms
Icon of a calendar Jan 10, 2026
United Van Lines
Langley Park, MD Sparta, NJ
Icon of a house 5+ Bedrooms
Icon of a calendar Dec 22, 2025
Mayzlin Relocation
North Brentwood, MD Bradley Beach, NJ
Icon of a house 1 Bedroom (small)
Icon of a calendar Dec 04, 2025

Key factors that influence moving costs from Washington DC to Jersey City

Your total cost will depend on:

  • The size of your home: Smaller moves (like one-bedrooms) cost less, sometimes just $1,000, while larger moves (four-bedrooms) can hit $5,700.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Washington DC, which means higher prices.
  • The type of mover you choose: Renting a truck ($300–$700) saves money but adds work compared to hiring pros.

Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Jersey City, NJ to Washington DC, MD guide.

Best Washington DC to Jersey City movers by type

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Professional
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Local
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Container
Rental Truck Icon
Rental Truck
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Labor Only

Best professional movers from Washington DC to Jersey City

If you want to simplify your interstate move from Washington DC to Jersey City, consider hiring a full-service mover. These professionals will take care of everything, so you can prioritize settling into your new environment without the extra hassle.

Want a deeper breakdown of the top long-distance movers? See our best interstate movers guide.

  1. Safeway Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
  2. American Van Lines: 4.9 out of 5 stars
  3. Allied Van Lines: 4.2 out of 5 stars
  4. Mayzlin Relocation: 4.8 out of 5 stars
  5. North American Van Lines: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Safeway Moving
checkmark Best overall value
checkmark Veteran owned
checkmark Portion to charity
American Van Lines
checkmark Certified crews
checkmark Flat-rate pricing
checkmark Family-owned
Allied Van Lines
checkmark Specialty packing services
checkmark White-glove reputation
checkmark 80+ years' experience
Mayzlin Relocation
checkmark Family owned
checkmark East coast focus
checkmark Affordable pricing
North American Van Lines
checkmark 1,800 trucks
checkmark Storage available
checkmark Customized moving plans

How we chose the best MD→NJ movers

At moveBuddha, our specialists conducted a thorough evaluation of 51 Maryland moving companies, identifying the leading ones by examining client satisfaction, reviews, and value.

  • Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.
  • Dispute resolution (20%): Errors happen in moving. The best companies acknowledge them quickly and take real steps to resolve any problems for their customers.
  • Industry reputation (15%): Within the moving field, the company has earned respect and regularly engages in conferences and trade groups.
  • Online reputation (15%): The organization ensures its website is reliable and actively addresses online customer inquiries in a professional manner.
  • Service options (10%): Top movers provide versatile offerings including packing, storage, special-item handling, and the option for faster delivery when needed.

Here is our full moving company rating methodology.

What to know before moving from Washington DC to Jersey City

Expect a bump in monthly expenses after the move - Jersey City runs about 11% higher for singles and -11% higher for families than Washington DC.

Singles spend around $4,397 in Jersey City versus $3,963 in Washington DC; families pay $9,861 compared with $11,093.

Dig into the side-by-side details here:

Washington DC Jersey City
Average 1 BR rent $2,568 $3,306
Average 3 BR rent $5,417 $5,833
Average home value $594,337 $589,419
Average income (per capita) $101,722 $75,265
Cost of living (single) $3,963 $4,397
Cost of living (family of four) $11,093 $9,861
Unemployment rate 7.0% 8.3%
Sales tax 6.0% 6.63%
State income tax 5.75% 10.7%
  • Rent is estimated to be 24% higher in Jersey City compared to Washington DC; it's essential to account for this in your budget planning.
  • Given that home prices are within a 5% margin between Jersey City and Washington DC, sticking to your current mortgage strategy is sensible unless you’re planning for a bigger home.
  • Consider checking your finances before the transition. The average income is approximately 26% lower in Jersey City compared to Washington DC.
  • Be sure to budget for higher bills in Jersey City, since the cost of living for a single person in Jersey City is 11% higher than in Washington DC. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
  • Choosing to move to Jersey City can significantly lower your family's regular expenses, such as utilities, transport, and groceries. The cost of living for a family of four is 11% less than in Washington DC.
  • In Jersey City, the unemployment rate is approximately 19% higher than in Washington DC, indicating a larger group of job seekers. This can lead to increased competition for positions.
  • Sales taxes rise by 10% in Jersey City over Washington DC, leading to heightened expenses for everyday essentials.
  • Income taxes are 86% higher in New Jersey than in Maryland, meaning that a larger fraction of your income will be spent on state taxes, potentially reducing your savings.

Here’s a closer snapshot of how common everyday costs and monthly bills compare between Washington DC and Jersey City:

Living Expense Washington DC Jersey City
Basic utilities $191.62 $118.73
Cell phone plan $65.80 $41.88
Dozen eggs $4.67 $4.71
Loaf of bread $4.43 $3.97
Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) $25.00 $20.00
Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) $120.00 $100.00
Gym membership $103.76 $80.00
  • Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Washington DC than in Jersey City.
  • Cell phone plans typically cost more in Washington DC than in Jersey City.
  • Eggs are less expensive in Washington DC than in Jersey City.
  • Bread is more expensive in Washington DC than in Jersey City.
  • A quick meal tends to cost more in Washington DC than in Jersey City.
  • A mid-range dinner for two is pricier in Washington DC than in Jersey City.
  • Gym memberships cost more in Washington DC than in Jersey City.

How life is different in Washington DC vs. Jersey City

Washington DC Jersey City
Population 672,079 292,449
Transportation score 9 9
Walkability score 77 87
Bike friendliness score 70 64
Crime index 60.37 43.21
Safety index 39.63 56.79
Air quality Good Moderate
  • Jersey City's population is about 56% less than Washington DC.
  • Jersey City's public transportation score is within about 5% of Washington DC, making them very similar.
  • Jersey City is more walkable than Washington DC with a score of 87 out of 100 vs Washington DC's 77 out of 100.
  • Jersey City has a bike-friendliness score of 64 out of 100, which means it isn't as accessible or safe for cyclists as Washington DC, which has a score of 70.
  • Jersey City's crime rate is lower than Washington DC with a score of 43.21 compared to Washington DC's 60.37. This means that Jersey City neighborhoods are safer than 43.21% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Washington DC neighborhoods are safer than 60.37%.
  • Jersey City is considered to be safer than Washington DC with a safety index of 56.79 vs Washington DC's 39.63.
  • Air quality in Jersey City is Moderate, and in Washington DC it's Good.

Other things to consider for your Washington DC to Jersey City move

  • HOA rules: Be sure to review your community or HOA guidelines before moving day to avoid any surprises or delays.
  • Elevator reservation: Make sure to arrange elevator access in advance if your building requires reservations for moving.
  • Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
  • 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. Always verify licensing details before committing to a mover.
  • State regulator: You can verify a New Jersey moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
  • Moving Permits: New Jersey doesn't require moving permits, but it's still a good idea to check local parking rules before your move-in day.
  • Change of address: To avoid missing any mail, we recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least a week before your move. You can choose your official move date to make sure everything gets forwarded properly to Jersey City. Start the process here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. 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: Follow our moving checklist to keep your move organized and stress-free.

Where to live in Jersey City

Now that you've decided to make the move to J.C., these are the best neighborhoods to move to 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

Once you're settled into your new home in New Jersey, it's time to get out and discover what Jersey City has to offer. No matter your interests, there's something for everyone here:

  • Arts and culture: You'll find museums and cultural hubs throughout Jersey City, such as 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 — and more — offering great opportunities to hike, bike, or relax in nature.
  • Sports: Sports fans can join the excitement by supporting local favorites at an Saint Peter’s Peacocks (MAAC) game.

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Washington DC to Jersey City?

The best time to move from Washington DC to Jersey City is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Washington DC.

When is the cheapest time to move from Washington DC to Jersey City?

Since spring and fall are the most popular times to move from Washington DC to Jersey City, moving in the winter could help you save money. Check out our guide on moving discounts for more tips.

How long does a move from Washington DC to Jersey City take?

Moving from Washington DC, MD to Jersey City, NJ covers 221 miles and usually takes one to two days. Need to move faster? Some Washington DC movers offer expedited options. If you're not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in Jersey City.

Which movers in Washington DC give price breaks?

Some companies go the extra mile by offering discounts to certain groups. 7 movers give special rates to military members. 14 movers have deals for seniors.

Always ask for a full discount list and check eligibility requirements before you commit to a mover.

Who can move pianos or antiques in Washington DC?

Specialty items need extra care and the right equipment. 59 movers in Washington DC advertise piano moving expertise. 44 movers in Washington DC provide antique moving services. State totals show 37 piano movers and 30 antique movers, with nationwide availability at 2,296 and 1,463.

Book early if you need these services — demand can outpace supply during busy moving seasons.