Things to know before moving from New Jersey to Jacksonville, FL

Cost of living: New Jersey vs Jacksonville, FL

New Jersey Jacksonville
Average rent cost $1,368 $1,520
Average home value $534,773 $287,628
Average income (per capita) $97,126 $64,138
Unemployment rate 5% 5%
State income tax 11% 0%
  • Rent is about 11% more expensive in Jacksonville than in New Jersey.
  • Home prices are about 46% lower in Jacksonville than in New Jersey.
  • The average income is about 34% lower in Jacksonville than in New Jersey.
  • Jacksonville has a higher unemployment rate than New Jersey by about 4%.
  • Income taxes are 100% lower in Jacksonville than in New Jersey.

How life is different in Jacksonville from New Jersey

Jacksonville New Jersey
Population 971,319 9,290,841
Political leaning Democratic 51-47 Democratic 52-46.1
Summer high 91ºF 85ºF
Winter low 44ºF 22ºF
Annual rain 50" 48"
Annual snow 0" 23"
Crime index 56.38 16.2
  • The population of Jacksonville is approximately 90% lower than the population of New Jersey.
  • In the last presidential election, Jacksonville voted Democratic and New Jersey voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in Jacksonville is 91ºF and in New Jersey, it’s 85ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Jacksonville reaches the temperature of 44ºF and New Jersey gets down to 22ºF.
  • You can expect about 50 inches of annual rainfall in Jacksonville vs 48 inches of rainfall in New Jersey.
  • In Jacksonville, it snows about 0 inches annually vs 23 inches of snow in New Jersey.
  • Jacksonville has a higher crime rate than New Jersey with a crime index of 56.38 vs 16.2.

Things to do in Jacksonville

Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Jacksonville.

Museums in Jacksonvilletoggle

  • The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens
  • Museum of Science and History
  • Timucuan Ecological & Historical Preserve
  • Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville
  • Mandarin Museum & Historical Society
  • Ritz Theatre & LaVilla Museum
  • Hands On Children's Museum
  • Museum of Southern History
  • Alexander Brest Planetarium
  • The Brumos Collection

Parks in Jacksonvilletoggle

  • Little Talbot Island State Park
  • Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park
  • Fort Caroline National Memorial
  • Huguenot Memorial Park
  • Friendship Fountain
  • Castaway Island Preserve
  • Memorial Park
  • Timucuan Ecological & Historical Preserve
  • Metropolitan Park
  • Dog Wood Park
  • Jesse Ball Dupont Park
  • Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park
  • Ed Austin Regional Park
  • Riverside Park
  • Stockton Park

Sports Teams in Jacksonvilletoggle

  • Jacksonville Jaguars (NFL)

Universities in Jacksonvilletoggle

  • Art Institute of Jacksonville
  • Edward Waters College Jacksonville
  • Florida Coastal School of Law
  • Florida State College at Jacksonville
  • Jacksonville University
  • University of Florida Health Science Center
  • University of North Florida

Other considerations when moving to Jacksonville, FL

  • Weather: Jacksonville has hot humid summers, and warm to mild and drier winters. Seasonal rainfall is concentrated in the warmest months from May through September, when brief but intense downpours with thunder and lightning are common, while the driest months are from November through April. Be sure to check your weather app to avoid rain during your move.
  • 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: Individuals and companies engaging in for-profit local and intrastate moving within the Sunshine State must register each year with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – Division of Consumer Services. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Florida moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Florida 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 Florida. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. Released Value Protection stands out as a cost-effective choice, provided by movers at no extra expense, although it comes with limited coverage. In this option, the mover's liability is capped at 60 cents per pound per article. To ensure comprehensive coverage matching the full value of your items, consult with your chosen moving company about alternative options or explore third-party insurance providers. Secure the best protection for your belongings during the move with these tailored coverage choices.
  • Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

FAQ

How long does a move from New Jersey to Jacksonville take?

The time frame for a move from New Jersey to Jacksonville, FL, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.

Obviously, the further upstate you are in New Jersey, the longer the drive time to Jacksonville will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.

With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to Jacksonville from New Jersey can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.

How far in advance should I book movers when moving from New Jersey to Jacksonville?

Because of the 900-mile move, it’s best to book your move from New Jersey to Jacksonville as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.

What time of year is the cheapest to move to Jacksonville, FL?

With the summer highs of 91ºF and the winter lows of 44ºF, most people move to Jacksonville from New Jersey during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Jacksonville during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources