Things to know before moving from New York to Jersey City, NJ

Cost of living: New York vs Jersey City, NJ

New York Jersey City
Average rent cost $1,507 $2,975
Average home value $482,742 $589,419
Average income (per capita) $81,386 $75,265
Unemployment rate 4% 8%
State income tax 11% 11%
  • Rent is about 97% more expensive in Jersey City than in New York.
  • Home prices are about 22% higher in Jersey City than in New York.
  • The average income is about 8% lower in Jersey City than in New York.
  • Jersey City has a higher unemployment rate than New York by about 89%.
  • Income taxes are 2% lower in Jersey City than in New York.

How life is different in Jersey City from New York

Jersey City New York
Population 292,449 19,571,216
Political leaning Democratic 72-26 Democratic 60-40
Summer high 85ºF 81ºF
Winter low 25ºF 16ºF
Annual rain 48" 44"
Annual snow 26" 62"
Crime index 43.21 21.51
  • The population of Jersey City is approximately 99% lower than the population of New York.
  • In the last presidential election, Jersey City voted Democratic and New York voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in Jersey City is 85ºF and in New York, it’s 81ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Jersey City reaches the temperature of 25ºF and New York gets down to 16ºF.
  • You can expect about 48 inches of annual rainfall in Jersey City vs 44 inches of rainfall in New York.
  • In Jersey City, it snows about 26 inches annually vs 62 inches of snow in New York.
  • Jersey City has a higher crime rate than New York with a crime index of 43.21 vs 21.51.

Things to do in Jersey City

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

Museums in Jersey Citytoggle

  • Liberty Science Center
  • Mana Contemporary
  • 107 Bowers Gallery & ArtSpace
  • Novado Gallery
  • DT234 Gallery & Art Studio

Parks in Jersey Citytoggle

  • Liberty State Park
  • Liberty Landing Marina
  • J. Owen Grundy Park
  • Lincoln Park

Sports Teams in Jersey Citytoggle

  • Saint Peter’s Peacocks (MAAC)

Universities in Jersey Citytoggle

  • Hudson County Community College
  • New Jersey City University
  • Saint Peter's College
  • University of Phoenix Jersey City Campus

Other considerations when moving to Jersey City, NJ

  • Weather: September, June and May are the best months in Jersey City, while January and February are the least comfortable months as these are the coldest. Plan your moves accordingly.
  • 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 and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to New Jersey. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to 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: 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 York to Jersey City take?

The time frame for a move from New York to Jersey City, NJ, 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 York, the longer the drive time to Jersey City 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 Jersey City from New York 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 York to Jersey City?

Because of the 3-mile move, it’s best to book your move from New York to Jersey City 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 Jersey City, NJ?

With the summer highs of 85ºF and the winter lows of 25ºF, most people move to Jersey City from New York during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Jersey City during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources