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Moving. Simplified.
Are you considering moving to New Jersey?
New Jersey is the only state to have all counties rated urban by the Census Bureau. That explains why the Garden State attracts a spectrum of millennials, families, professionals, and tourists making it one of the most coveted states in America.
If you’d like to live in a state that’s rich in ethnic and cultural diversity, without being too far away from NYC and Philly, moving to New Jersey is right for you.
The Garden State is home to some of the best schools in America, the quality of life is high and you’ll enjoy fresh produce from farmers’ markets.
If you’re wondering if moving to New Jersey is right for you or not, we’ve collated all the key information you need to know about the state to make the right decision.
Let’s jump right in!
A quick look at the population and other demographics of New Jersey.
The population of New Jersey is 8,874,520 people. The state spreads across 22,608 square kilometers making it the 47th largest in the country.
Weather is always one of the most important things to consider before moving to New Jersey.
New Jersey’s average one-way commute time is 31.5 minutes. The U.S. average is 26.4 minutes. That means the average commute time in New Jersey is longer than the national average. Here’s a breakdown of how people in New Jersey commute to work:
Here are key reasons why moving to Arizona could be the right choice.
Tip: While moving the home, safety of your belongings is the priority and you need a trustworthy mover at your side. Know the top-rated moving companies in Arizona.
The overall cost of living in Arizona is lower than the national average. Housing, groceries, transportation, and healthcare - everything is cheaper in Arizona. You can rent a studio for $701 and a 1-bedroom apartment for approximately $806. A 2-bedroom home would approximately cost $1,011 a month and the average rent for a 3-bedroom house in Arizona is $1,454.
The median home cost in Arizona is $249,300. This is about 18% lower than the national average. However, it needs to be noted that houses cost high in big cities like Phoenix, Tucson, or Surprise.
Arizona has 300+ days of sunshine and this plays a big role in attracting snowbirds in winter. Arizona has a warm winter and snowfall is hardly heard of. Yuma in Arizona is the sunniest city in the US with more than 4,000 sunlight hours per year and an average of 11 sunny hours per day.
Arizona is highly pet-friendly. Most restaurants and outdoor parks permit pets inside. There are over 900 pet-friendly hotels in the state. Arizona also has hundreds of hiking trails, especially for pets. The state also has strict anti-cruelty laws.
The best part about Arizona is its spectacular topography. There is an abundance of diverse landscapes bursting with natural beauty. From spectacular canyons, and scenic rivers to vast deserts and towering mountains, there is a lot for Arizona to take pride in. Despite the enticing scenic beauty, Arizona is highly affordable to own or rent a home. While you can rent a 2-bedroom house for approximately $1,011, you can own a house for $249,300, which is much lower than the national average.
The economy of Arizona is thriving and as a result, it is easy to find a job in Arizona. As per the latest reports, Arizona`s job market is ranked second in the country and the state added about 84,400 jobs last year.
The industries that are flourishing in Arizona are:
The Grand Canyon is the landmark of Arizona State. Naturally formed millions of years ago, the Grand Canyon is 277 miles long, up to 18 miles (29 km) wide, and attains a depth of over a mile.
There is a lot to explore in Arizona. Always warm, the state does not permit you to sit indoors. Instead, it allures you outside to its unlimited attractions, mostly natural.
Some of the outdoor activities to engage in Arizona are:
With year-round sunny skies and teams for every season, sports in Arizona are always on. Almost every college and university has its clubs that compete in basketball, football, soccer, and ice hockey. The professional cubs are mostly focused in Phoenix. In addition, golf is also taken seriously in Arizona and the state has more than 200 golf courses.
Arizona is a popular retirement destination and a big share of the population here are above 65. The state is warm and sunny year-round and there are a lot of activities to do in Arizona. The retired income does not come under the tax slab. In addition, the state also has hundreds of clubs for senior people. The cost of living is lower than in many parts of the US and there is a lot to explore in Arizona during the senior years.
Arizona is highly tax-friendly for retired people. It does not tax social security retirement benefits. And on most other income that is taxed, rates are relatively low - from 2.59% to 4.5%. The state also does not have an estate or inheritance tax, a perk that is quite attractive to retirees.
A quick look at these pros and cons can help you decide if moving to New Jersey is right for you or not.
The entire New Jersey is one big urban city. The state is home to several beautiful cities. Moving to New Jersey means getting the chance to live in some of the best places in the state. To help you streamline your house-hunting since you’re considering moving to New Jersey, here are the 10 best places to live in the state:
| Rank | City | Population | Unemployment Rate | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Park Ridge | 8,766 | 2.9% | $588,900 |
| 2 | Allendale | 6,765 | 3.3% | $757,000 |
| 3 | Westfield | 29,877 | 2.7% | $743,400 |
| 4 | Haddonfield | 11,345 | 2.3% | $511,700 |
| 5 | Glen Rock | 11,780 | 3.9% | $646,600 |
| 6 | Woodcliff Lake | 5,832 | 2.0% | $812,300 |
| 7 | Fair Haven | 5,873 | 3.4% | $731,900 |
| 8 | Cresskill | 8,699 | 2.9% | $677,500 |
| 9 | Waldwick | 9,986 | 2.1% | $448,900 |
| 10 | Madison | 16,377 | 3.9% | $724,700 |
The cost of living in New Jersey is most likely one of the key things you’ll have to consider before moving to the state. New Jersey’s cost of living is 120.4. The United States average is 100. That means the cost of living in New Jersey is higher than the national average.
Here’s a breakdown of various metrics that make up the cost of living in New Jersey:
| Cost of living | New Jersey | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 120.4 | 100 |
| Grocery | 105.8 | 100 |
| Health | 88.4 | 100 |
| Housing | 142.4 | 100 |
| Median Home Cost | $329,300 | $231,200 |
| Utilities | 109.2 | 100 |
| Transportation | 127.7 | 100 |
| Miscellaneous | 108.7 | 100 |
Buying or renting a home/apartment are both good housing options if you’re moving to New Jersey. More than half of the state population are homeowners.
| Family size | Average monthly cost of health plan |
|---|---|
| Individual plus child | $719 |
| Couple, age 40 | $900 |
| Family of three (adult couple and a child) | $1,169 |
| Family of four (adult couple and two children) | $1,438 |
| Family of five (adult couple and three children) | $1,708 |
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Start My Quote NowNew Jersey’s median home price is $382,096. Over the past ten years, home values in the state have appreciated by 1.2%. Currently, homes in New Jersey have appreciated by 4.7%.
Rental homes are good housing options if you’re moving to New Jersey. Renters account for 31.2% of the state’s population. About 1.9% of homes and apartments in the state are homeowners. Here’s a quick summary of the average home rental costs if you’re moving to New Jersey:
The New Jersey job market is one of the key performance indicators of the state’s economy. Since you’re considering moving to New Jersey, here’s a quick summary of the state’s job market:
| Employment Information | New Jersey, New Jersey | United States |
|---|---|---|
| The income per Cap | $39,069 | $31,177 |
| Household Income | $76,475 | $57,652 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.50% | 3.70% |
| Recent Job Growth | -0.19% | 1.59% |
| Future Job Growth | 24.96% | 33.51% |
Whether you’re interested in getting a new job or starting a business after moving to New Jersey or not, you’ll most likely be interested in the average salary and income in the state. Since you’re considering moving to New Jersey, here’s the average salary and income in the state:
Tip: When you’ve got a home to move in New Jersey, getting the best moving quote will be your goal. Request moving company quotes to save on moving cost.
The 2020 Fortune 500 list featured 17 companies in New Jersey. Since you’re considering moving to New Jersey, we’ve made a list of the top 10 largest employers in the state. Here they are:
| Rank | Company | City | Employees |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Johnson & Johnson | New Brunswick | 134,000 |
| 2 | Conduent | Florham Park | 85,000 |
| 3 | Merck & Co. | Kenilworth | 69,000 |
| 4 | Bed Bath & Beyond | Union | 65,000 |
| 5 | Toys R Us | Wayne | 64,000 |
| 6 | Automatic Data Processing | Roseland | 58,000 |
| 7 | Newell Brands | Hoboken | 53,400 |
| 8 | Becton Dickinson and Company | Franklin Lakes | 50,928 |
| 9 | Covance | Princeton | 50,000 |
| 10 | CoWorx Staffing Services | Watchung | 50,000 |
New Jersey has a sturdy job market. Despite the impact of COVID-19, New Jersey’s job markets have been growing steadily. Since you’re most likely interested in moving to New Jersey, the following are the hottest job markets in the state:
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Start My Quote NowMoving to New Jersey could mean starting a new career in a different profession. We’ve made a list of the top career options in the state since you’re considering moving to New Jersey. Here are the top 10 career options in New Jersey:
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary | Entry Level Salary | # Of People |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Surgeons, Except Ophthalmologists | $279,660 | $179,970 | 1,500 |
| 2 | Chief Executives | $253,320 | $128,020 | 770 |
| 3 | Psychiatrists | $247,320 | $146,970 | 920 |
| 4 | Dentists, All Other Specialists | $244,060 | $99,930 | 160 |
| 5 | Orthodontists | $240,110 | $168,360 | 220 |
| 6 | Athletes And Sports Competitors | $222,460 | $69,890 | 460 |
| 7 | General Internal Medicine Physicians | $220,790 | $111,090 | 1,150 |
| 8 | Family Medicine Physicians | $215,980 | $139,400 | 1,900 |
| 9 | Pediatricians, General | $215,040 | $142,260 | 930 |
| 10 | Physicians, All Other; And Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric | $207,440 | $60,390 | 16,650 |
New Jersey is home to some of the largest industries in America. Moving to New Jersey opens up several business opportunities in the state. To give you an idea of what to expect if you’re moving to New Jersey, the following is a list of the major industries in the state:
Since you’re most likely moving to New Jersey from out of state, you may not be familiar with the state’s taxes.
The people in New Jersey pay various required taxes like residents in other parts of America. Moving to New Jersey means you’ll be paying similar taxes as other New Jersey residents. Here’s a quick summary of the state’s taxes since you’re mulling over moving to New Jersey:
New Jersey is home to several remarkable attractions and exciting spots for various activities. Since you’re considering moving to New Jersey, we’ve made a list of the best things to do in the state to help you create a bucket list:
The 380-acre Cape May Historic District with 600 Late Victorian-style buildings is America’s first seaside resort. Cape May boasts highly rated beaches, fine dining, lodging, and shopping, and is even a top worldwide destination for bird watching.
The first and longest boardwalk in the country, the 4-mile wooded path is best for early morning biking, walking, aimless wandering, and window shopping. Atlantic City historical museum and Atlantic City Art Center along with a wide range of shops add charm to the boardwalk.
The 1,200-acre Liberty State Park with water on three sides offers unparalleled views of Manhattan’s skyline and the Statue of Liberty and is one of the most visited places in New Jersey. The Central Jersey Railroad of New Jersey Terminal denotes the history of the 19th century US. The park is connected to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island by ferries.
The Newark Museum of Art (formerly Newark Museum) displays massive collections of American art, decorative arts, contemporary art, and arts of Asia, Africa, the Americas, and the ancient world. The state’s largest museum, founded in 1909, also holds adult programs, lectures, tours, and jazz performances.
The 70,000–acre recreational area is along the middle section of the Delaware River in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The area is packed with forested mountains, river valleys, and fertile floodplains along with amazing wildlife. More than 120 miles of hiking trails along streams, ridges, and mountaintops exist here.
The Princeton Battlefield where American troops defeated the British Regulars during the American Revolution is a state park that is in dispute with the Institute of Advanced Study which plans to build a housing facility on a portion of the battlefield. The Thomas Clarke House Museum at the park exhibits military artifacts belonging to the Revolution era.
Adventure Aquarium in Camden is one of the largest aquariums in the country with about 8,000 animals living in varied forms of semi-aquatic, freshwater, and marine habitats. The facility has a total tank volume of over 2 million US gallons (7,600,000 L), and public floor space of 200,000 square feet (19,000 m2).
The 85-acre Cape May County Park & Zoo is home to more than 550 animals representing 250 species. The zoo, together with Cape May County's Central Park covers about 220 acres and the zoo also has a free-flight aviary and a reptile collection.
Thomas Alva Edison’s laboratory and residence at Orange Country is now preserved as Thomas Edison National Historical Park. Motion picture cameras, improved phonographs, sound recordings, silent and sound movies, and the nickel-iron alkaline electric storage battery came out from this laboratory.
The 42-acre sculpture park in Hamilton promotes contemporary sculpture by organizing exhibitions, publishing catalogs, and offering a variety of educational programs and special community events. The park's exhibits include sculptures by distinguished artists Clement Meadmore, Anthony Caro, Beverly Pepper, Kiki Smith, Magdalena Abakanowicz, Boaz Vaadia, and New Jersey sculptor George Segal.
A science museum in Jersey City, Liberty Science Center has the largest and most technologically advanced planetarium in the Western Hemisphere. Apart from multiple exhibits for science lovers, the museum also hosts many education programs.
Hoboken not just offers mesmerizing views of the Manhattan skyline but it is also home to restaurants, diners, museums, and art galleries. One of the most densely populated municipalities in the country, Hoboken also has natural parks and waterfront walkways.
Monmouth Park at Oceanport has been New Jersey’s racecourse turf since the 1870s and hosts multiple races annually. The racetrack's season spans from early May to Labor Day in early September.
New Jersey is home to many race tracks, including New Jersey Motorsports Park that hosts adrenaline-pumping races at frequent intervals. Bridgeport Speedway, New Egypt Speedway, and Wall Stadium Speedway are other famous race tracks in the state
Tip: While moving the home, safety of your belongings is the priority and you need a trustworthy mover at your side. Know the top-rated moving companies in New Jersey.
Unlike several other urbanized states in the country, violent and property crime rates in New Jersey are generally lower than the United States average. Since you’re considering moving to New Jersey, here’s a breakdown of crime rates in the state:
New Jersey is home to several top-quality schools including colleges, universities, elementary, middle, and high schools.
Since you’re considering moving to New Jersey, we’ve made a list of the best schools in the state to give you an idea of what to expect:
Walter M. Schirra Elementary School
Old Bridge Township School District, Public, K-5 | 293 students, Rating: 10/10
Clark Mills Elementary School
Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District, Public, 1-5 | 528 students, Rating: 10/10
Frank Defino Central Elementary School
Marlboro Township Board Of Education School District, Public, 1-5 | 496 students, Rating: 10/10
Mendham Twp Middle School
Mendham Township Board Of Education School District, Public, 5-8 | 334 students, Rating: 10/10
Edgar Middle School
Metuchen Public School District, Public, 5-8 | 724 students, Rating: 10/10
Thomas Jefferson Mid School
Lodi Public School District, Public, 6-8 | 724 students, Rating: 10/10
Mendham Twp Middle School
Mendham Township Board Of Education School District, Public, 5-8 | 334 students, Rating: 10/10
Edgar Middle School
Metuchen Public School District, Public, 5-8 | 724 students, Rating: 10/10
Mdsx Co Voc Health Biomed
Middlesex County Vocational And Technical School District, Public, 8-12 | 269 students, Rating: 10/10
Number 28 Elementary School
Paterson Public School District, Public, PK-8 | 506 students, Rating: 10/10
Bergen Academies
Bergen County Vocational-Technical School District, Public, 9-12 | 1098 students, Rating: 10/10
Technical School Teterboro
Bergen County Vocational-Technical School District, Public, 9-12 | 665 students, Rating: 10/10
Mdsx Co Voc Health Biomed
Middlesex County Vocational And Technical School District, Public, 8-12 | 269 students, Rating: 10/10
Morris Co School Of Tech
Morris County Vocational School District, Public, 9-12 | 742 students, Rating: 10/10
N Valley Reg H Demarest
Northern Valley Regional High School District, Public, 9-12 | 1018 students, Rating: 10/10
Princeton University - Princeton
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey - New Brunswick
New Jersey Institute of Technology - Newark
Seton Hall University - South Orange
Montclair State University - Montclair
Monmouth University - West Long Branch
Rowan University - Glassboro
Fairleigh Dickinson University - Teaneck
Stevens Institute of Technology - Hoboken
The College of New Jersey - Ewing
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Before you pack your bags for New Jersey, you need to know that the state is 47th in size but stands 11th in population. The cost of living is higher here and everything including amenities, housing, and healthcare would charge you more than in your present location. However, the state has ample jobs to offer and is also economically rich with many MNCs having corporate offices. If you are living in this state, you are closer to major US cities like NYC and Philadelphia.
As you pack your bags for New Jersey, you need to be ready to embrace the harsh winter and humid summer. Be ready to spend high on accommodation, food, and utilities but you can enjoy a wide range of food on the menu. The diners are open 24/7, and there is also no limit for entertainment both day and night.
The racial breakup is so diverse in New Jersey that a resident from any background will feel at home here. In addition, the economy is booming, public transport is robust, and healthcare is absolutely perfect here. However, living here, you would need to pay high property tax and income tax. Even the winters are harsher in New Jersey. The traffic is so severe during peak hours that you may spend long hours driving, ultimately testing your patience.
The average salary in New Jersey is $42,231 a year. This means you may need approximately $20.30 an hour to have a comfortable life. And a family of 4 including 2 children should earn $51,443 annually after all the deductions to live comfortably.
As per the latest crime stats, New Jersey is much safer than most US states and Sparta Township is the safest city to live in New Jersey. Sparta is safer than 84% of US cities, and your chance of being a violent crime victim is just 1 in 6,659.
Jersey City is the best part of the state to raise a family as it is an economic center with stunning panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline and is a short 40-minute commute into New York City. It is the second-largest city in the state and the population is a mix of families and young professionals. The city also boasts a waterfront walkway, green spaces, and long streets, making it a great place to live for those who do not want to own a car.
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