($1,372) Moving From California to New Jersey

Quick answer: The average cost to move from California to New Jersey ranges from $1,736 to $8,383 and takes seven-twenty-one days. The top cost factors are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.

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Hiring a full-service California moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.

You may also want to consider the potential added cost of getting your vehicle or boat to your new home as part of your move. Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee. But you can also handle vehicle transport from California to New Jersey separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from New Jersey to California guide.

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The best California to New Jersey movers

Hiring an interstate moving company from California to New Jersey is a big deal.

There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don’t worry, you won’t have to filter through all of them. We’ve done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.

Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving California to New Jersey:

Best Overall Value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
(855) 650-0657
At A Glance
  • GPS tracking en route
  • Veteran-owned
  • Dedicated move coordinator
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Donates a portion of moves to charity
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(855) 650-0657
Best for personalized service
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
(980) 217-6841
At A Glance
  • Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
  • Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
  • Hands-on customer service
  • 24/7 support
  • Price-matching policy
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(980) 217-6841
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.25 / 5
(844) 794-6004
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  • Family owned & operated
  • Affordable pricing
  • Binding estimates
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(844) 794-6004
Best Nationwide Coverage
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  • 30 days storage included
  • Local and long distance moving options
  • Unlimited loading/unloading time
  • Store on property or at a facility
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(866) 835-2392
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  • Experienced & fully trained moving crews
  • Specializes in moving art & antiques
  • Competitive pricing
  • Can handle last-minute moves
  • Climate-controlled storage
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(866) 835-2392

If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.

Looking for local California movers?

Company Quote Rating Contact
Grace Moving Company Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.9 overall rating
800 Janopaul Lane, Modesto, CA, 95351
(209) 551-7772
Grizzly Moving Get A Quote starstarstarstarstar
4.86 overall rating
7090 Miramar Rd #102, San Diego, CA, 92121
(844) 474-9959

Visit our Best Movers in California page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.

How much does it cost to move from California to New Jersey?

The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from California to New Jersey for different moving services depending on the size of your home.

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,372 - $5,785 $1,412 - $3,519 $1,587 - $3,110
2 - 3 bedrooms $3,932 - $8,383 $2,604 - $5,395 $1,736 - $3,485
4+ bedrooms $7,703 - $13,115 $3,490 - $7,077 $2,239 - $4,546

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 2,886 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect your final costs.

Factors affecting the cost of moving from CA to NJ

There are many factors that influence California moving costs. The cost to move from California to New Jersey will depend on these factors:

  • Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
  • Time of year: The peak moving season in California is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.

How much does it cost to hire movers from California to New Jersey?

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from California to New Jersey will cost between $1,372 and $5,785. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from CA to NJ will range from $3,932 to $8,383, and a large move from California to New Jersey will cost from $7,703 to $13,115.

How much are moving containers like PODS from California to New Jersey?

Moving containers from California to New Jersey will cost you $1,412 to $3,519 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,604 to $5,395. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $3,490 to $7,077. Learn more about PODS cost.

Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of California.

How much is a moving truck from California to New Jersey?

A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.

Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $1,587 to $3,110. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $1,736 to $3,485, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from California to New Jersey costs from $2,239 to $4,546.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.

Is moving from California to New Jersey a good idea?

If you’re moving to New Jersey from California, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.

Cost of living: California vs. New Jersey

California New Jersey
Average rent cost $1,856 $1,368
Average home cost $771,057 $534,773
Average income (per capita) $91,905 $97,126
Cost of Living Index 134 114
Unemployment rate 5.4% 4.7%
Average Sales Tax 8.68% 6.6%
State Income Tax 13.3% 10.7%
  • Rent is about 26% less expensive in New Jersey than in California.
  • Home prices are about 31% lower in New Jersey than in California.
  • The average income is about 6% higher in New Jersey than in California.
  • Cost of living is 15% lower in New Jersey than in California.
  • New Jersey has a lower unemployment rate than California by about 13%.
  • Sales taxes are 24% lower in New Jersey than in California.
  • Income taxes are 20% lower in New Jersey than in California.

How does life in New Jersey differ from California?

New Jersey California
Population 9,290,841 39,029,342
Political leaning Democratic 52-46.1 Democratic 59-41
Summer high 85ºF 87ºF
Winter low 22ºF 59ºF
Annual rain 48" 22"
Annual snow 23" 7"
Crime index 16.2 28.43
  • The population of New Jersey is approximately 76% lower than the population of California.
  • In the last presidential election, New Jersey voted Democratic and California voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in New Jersey is 85ºF and in California, it’s 87ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, New Jersey reaches the temperature of 22ºF and California gets down to 59ºF.
  • You can expect about forty-eight inches of annual rainfall in New Jersey versus twenty-two inches of rainfall in California.
  • In New Jersey, it snows about twenty-three inches annually versus seven inches of snow in California.
  • New Jersey has a lower crime rate than California with a crime index of 28.43 vs 16.2.

Comparing the pros of California vs. New Jersey

There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in California versus New Jersey side by side.

Pros of living in California Pros of living in New Jersey
Ample economic opportunity Bountiful recreational opportunities
Pleasant weather Diversity
Abundant recreational options World-class entertainment
High quality of life Leading education
Fresh and healthy foods Superb health care

Comparing the cons of living in California vs. New Jersey

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving California for New Jersey.

Cons of living in California Cons of living in New Jersey
High cost of living Extreme weather
Heavy tax burdens Congested population
Natural disasters High cost of living
Terrible traffic High tax burden
Strange laws Terrible traffic

What to know before your move to New Jersey

  • Weather: New Jersey summers are typically hot and humid and winters are usually cold. During winter and early spring, New Jersey can experience "nor'easters", which are capable of causing blizzards or flooding throughout the northeastern United States.
  • 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 so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to New Jersey. Get started here.
  • Mover's Insurance: Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers. 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.

Things to do in New Jersey

While you’re in New Jersey, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:

  • Atlantic City and Boardwalk
  • Ocean City
  • Cape May
  • Grounds for Sculpture
  • Casino Pier and Breakwater Beach Water Park
  • Six Flags Great Adventure and Wild Safari
  • Battleship New Jersey
  • Thomas Edison National Historical Park
  • Liberty Science Center
  • Adventure Aquarium
  • Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
  • Essex County Turtle Back Zoo
  • Morey's Piers & Beachfront Water Parks
  • Monmouth Battlefield State Park
  • Liberty State Park
  • High Point State Park
  • Lucy the Elephant
  • Paterson Great Falls
  • Barnegat Lighthouse State Park
  • Sterling Hill Mining Museum
  • Island Beach State Park
  • Jenkinson’s Boardwalk
  • Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge
  • Garden State Discovery Museum

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to move from California to New Jersey?

The cheapest way to move from California to New Jersey is with a DIY move. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.

What are the benefits of moving from California to New Jersey?

The main reasons people are moving from California to New Jersey are the amazing upsides of living in New Jersey such as bountiful recreational opportunities and diversity.

Is it cheaper to live in California or New Jersey?

It is generally cheaper to live in New Jersey than in California. Housing is much more affordable in New Jersey, with average rent about 26% less and home prices 30.6% lower than in California. Taxes are also lower in New Jersey, most notably income taxes, which are more than 10% less than those paid by California residents.

How much should you make a year to live comfortably in New Jersey?

You should make approximately $0 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Arizona. The cost of living in Arizona is approximately $0 per month for an individual and $0 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in New Jersey you live For example, larger cities like Aberdeen and Asbury Park will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

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