Things to know before moving from New Jersey to Columbus, GA

Cost of living: New Jersey vs Columbus, GA

New Jersey Columbus
Average rent cost $1,368 $1,100
Average home value $534,773 $157,861
Average income (per capita) $97,126 $50,542
Unemployment rate 5% 5%
State income tax 11% 5%
  • Rent is about 20% less expensive in Columbus than in New Jersey.
  • Home prices are about 70% lower in Columbus than in New Jersey.
  • The average income is about 48% lower in Columbus than in New Jersey.
  • Columbus has a higher unemployment rate than New Jersey by about 13%.
  • Income taxes are 49% lower in Columbus than in New Jersey.

How life is different in Columbus from New Jersey

Columbus New Jersey
Population 206,922 9,290,841
Political leaning Democratic 49.8-48.3 Democratic 52-46.1
Summer high 92ºF 85ºF
Winter low 35ºF 22ºF
Annual rain 49" 48"
Annual snow 0" 23"
Crime index 72.18 16.2
  • The population of Columbus is approximately 98% lower than the population of New Jersey.
  • In the last presidential election, Columbus voted Democratic and New Jersey voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in Columbus is 92ºF and in New Jersey, it’s 85ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Columbus reaches the temperature of 35ºF and New Jersey gets down to 22ºF.
  • You can expect about 49 inches of annual rainfall in Columbus vs 48 inches of rainfall in New Jersey.
  • In Columbus, it snows about 0 inches annually vs 23 inches of snow in New Jersey.
  • Columbus has a higher crime rate than New Jersey with a crime index of 72.18 vs 16.2.

Things to do in Columbus

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

Museums in Columbustoggle

  • National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center
  • National Civil War Naval Museum
  • Columbus Museum
  • Coca-Cola Space Science Center
  • The Lunch Box Museum
  • Historic Westville
  • The Gertrude MA Rainey House & Blues Museum
  • Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center
  • Gallery on 10th
  • Black Art in America

Parks in Columbustoggle

  • Flat Rock Park

Sports Teams in Columbustoggle

  • Columbus Lions (NAL)
  • Columbus River Dragons (FPHL)
  • Columbus Chatt-a-Hoots (SBL)
  • Columbus Rapids (NISL)

Universities in Columbustoggle

  • Columbus State University
  • Columbus Technical College

Other considerations when moving to Columbus, GA

  • Weather: Columbus has hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters.
  • 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: Moving companies in Georgia are regulated by the the Georgia Department of Public Safety (GDPS). Regulations include insurance requirements and the handling of consumer complaints. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Georgia moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Georgia 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 Georgia. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. Opt for Released Value Protection for its cost-effectiveness, offered by movers at no extra charge. However, it provides minimal coverage, with the mover's responsibility limited to 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage matching the full value of your items, explore other options with your chosen moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
  • 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 Columbus take?

The time frame for a move from New Jersey to Columbus, GA, 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 Columbus 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 Columbus 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 Columbus?

Because of the 940-mile move, it’s best to book your move from New Jersey to Columbus 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 Columbus, GA?

With the summer highs of 92ºF and the winter lows of 35ºF, most people move to Columbus 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 Columbus during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources