($1,467) Movers From Madison, WI to Newark, NJ

What to know before moving from Madison to Newark

Moving from Madison to Newark comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Newark is generally more expensive than Madison, 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 44% higher than in Madison, 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 Madison.
  Home prices in Newark are 29.3% higher than in Madison.
• Income in Newark is 34.3% lower than in Madison, 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 12.3% higher than in Madison. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Newark, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Newark is 2.9% higher than in Madison.
• The unemployment rate in Newark is 293.94% higher than in Madison.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Newark, since the city’s sales taxes in Newark are 20.55% higher than in Madison.
• State income taxes in Newark are 39.87% higher than in Madison.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,370.42 in Newark to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Madison.

How life is different in Madison vs. Newark

• The population of Newark is about 13% greater than Madison, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
• Newark offers better access to buses and trains than Madison, based on public transportation ratings. Newark has a transit score of 9 out of 10 compared to 6 in Madison. 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 Madison. Newark is considered more walkable than Madison, with a score of 76 out of 100 versus 50 out of 100 in Madison. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• You probably won’t see as many cycling lanes or off-road trails in Newark, which is ranked as less bike-friendly than Madison. While Madison has a bike-friendliness score of 66 out of 100, Newark earned a 51. Scores are based on factors like whether a city accommodates cyclists on major roadways, how often people bike to work, and how many steep hills it has.
• The crime rate in Newark is higher than in Madison, 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 34.57 in Madison. 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 Madison, whose index is Madison's 65.43. 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 Madison 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 Madison vs. Newark move

• Weather: Newark has cold winters and hot humid summers.
• HOA rules: It’s a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it’s a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
• 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. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: To confirm a moving company’s license in New Jersey, visit the state's public utilities commission
• Moving permits: While New Jersey doesn’t mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to Newark without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. 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: Our moving checklist gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.

Where to live in Newark

With your sights set on "Brick City", these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in Newark.

Helpful moving resources