Moving to New Jersey? 2023 Living Costs & Relocation Tips

New Jersey is a state located in the northeastern United States, and is known as the Garden State which was used as a way to influence farmers to use their farmland in the early 1800s. It is home to preserved Victorian houses and visitors commonly travel to the historic sites of Asbury Park and Cape May.

If you are considering moving to New Jersey, the various costs listed below will help you make an informed decision on what costs are involved.

Quick New Jersey Facts:

Population: 9.267 million (2021)
Official Language: English
GDP Per Capita: $73,600 (2021)
Random Fact: New Jersey is known as the “Diner Capital of the World” with an estimated 400 diners across the entire state.
Currency: US Dollar (US$). As of early 2023, £1 = $1.20, €1 = $1.07, $1 CAD = $0.74, $1 AUD = $0.68

Sections

1. Moving and Shipping Costs to New Jersey

From State	Approx. Moving Cost
California	$2700
Florida	$2300
New York	$1600
Texas	$2600
Illinois	$2100
Ohio	$1900
Georgia	$2000
North Carolina	$1800
Michigan	$2100
Pennsylvania	$1500

This table lists the state of origin along with the estimated moving cost in US dollars to New Jersey. These costs are approximate and can vary based on several factors, including the specific locations within the states, the volume of goods being moved, and the timing of the move.

Also see: Best International Moving Companies in New Jersey

2. New Jersey Housing Costs

The range of house prices in New Jersey varies significantly between uptown and downtown areas. Uptown neighbourhoods, such as affluent suburbs like Alpine or Short Hills, tend to have higher property prices. Meanwhile, downtown areas like Jersey City or Newark offer a more diverse range of housing options, catering to a broader spectrum of budgets.

Monthly Rental Prices in New Jersey:

1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: $1,200+
1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: $1,350+
3 bedroom flat in City Centre: $2,400+
3 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: $2,400+

New Jersey Housing Cost Comparison:

This is how rents in New Jersey compare with other cities around the globe.

London is 47.8% more expensive
New York is 63.6% more expensive
Los Angeles is 49% more expensive
Toronto is 26.4% more expensive
Sydney is 38.7% more expensive
Paris is 11.9% more expensive
Dubai is 27% more expensive

Source: Numbeo

How to Save on Housing Costs

Share a Flat or House: Sharing a house or a flat is a way to save on living expenses. You may have to share a bathroom but you will save at the end of the day. A cheaper option is to share a room. Have a look at the following site to find your perfect room or flatmate: SpareRoom and iRoommates.
Different Areas – Different Prices: You can find a range of prices for properties in New Jersey depending on where you look. Uptown areas like Alpine or Short Hills will be more expensive than downtown areas like Jersey City or Newark.

3. New Jersey Food, Grocery and Restaurant Costs

New Jersey embraces a dynamic food and drink scene. The state is particularly renowned for its iconic dishes like the Taylor Ham (also known as pork roll) sandwiches and boardwalk favourites such as saltwater taffy and funnel cakes, which have become culinary symbols of the region and are worth exploring for visitors and locals alike.

Inexpensive Restaurant: $13.00
Takeout Coffee: $4.00
Bottle of Coke: $1.60
1L of Milk: $1.15
Loaf of Bread: $1.10
12 Eggs: $8.00
1kg Chicken: $7.25
1kg Beef: $6.40
1kg Apples: $6.75
1kg White Rice: $3.20

This is how restaurants and food prices compare with other major cities in the world.

London restaurants are 42.6% more expensive than New Jersey.
New York restaurants are 45.1% more expensive than New Jersey.
Los Angeles restaurants are 42.6% more expensive than New Jersey.
Toronto restaurants are 26.2% more expensive than New Jersey.
Sydney restaurants are 29.5% more expensive than New Jersey.
Paris restaurants are 22.8% more expensive than New Jersey.
Dubai restaurants are 21.4% more expensive than New Jersey.

Source: Numbeo

Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants and Groceries:

Know Your Supermarkets: New Jersey boasts a thriving network of farmers’ markets that offer fresh, locally sourced produce, artisanal goods, and a vibrant community atmosphere. You can also find affordable and premium supermarkets, giving a range of choices depending on your budget.
Find Cheap Eats: New Jersey has a good selection of restaurants which offer food at affordable prices. Have a look at Trip Advisor.

4. New Jersey Alcohol Costs

New Jersey, like all cities in the United States, has plenty of bars and clubs to choose from, whether you want a quick beer after work or a cocktail before dinner.

Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: $6.00
Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: $6.00
Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a supermarket: $2.90
Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: $4.30
Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: $12.00

How To Drink For Less in New Jersey:

Keep an eye on the local papers and websites for specials over weekends and public holidays.
Take a look at Suburbs101.

5. New Jersey Transportation Fares

Public transport in New Jersey comprises a network of buses, trains, and light rail systems that connect various cities and towns within the state, as well as provide easy access to neighbouring states and major metropolitan areas like New York City and Philadelphia.

Here are some sample ticket costs:

Adult single – $3.00
One-day ticket – $5.00
Monthly season ticket, unlimited – $50.00

How To Save Money on Public Transport:

Buy a bike. Depending on where you live and work, cycling around the city is certainly a viable option.
Walk. If you live relatively close to where you work, you can walk to work.

6. Cost of Internet in New Jersey

Internet prices in the States are expensive compared with many other countries in the world. Here are some sample broadband internet prices from early 2023 for unlimited downloads, based on a 12-month contract:

Sprint: $50 a month (Unlimited high speed except for streaming gaming up to 8mb)
AT & T: $20 a month (50mb fibre)
Verizon: $80 a month

7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym and Leisure

The average yearly temperature in New Jersey ranges from around 10 to 15 degrees Celsius. The coldest month tends to be January, with average temperatures ranging from -2 to 4 degrees Celsius, while the hottest month is typically July, with average temperatures ranging from 23 to 29 degrees Celsius. The wettest month in New Jersey is often July, with an average precipitation of around 4 to 5 inches.

Here are some clothing prices, together with other useful prices.

Pair of Jeans: $25.00
Summer Dress: $19.00
Running Shoes (Trainers): $92.50
Business Shoes: $70.00
Short Doctor’s Visit (15 mins): $50.00
Deodorant: $4.00
Shampoo: $3.50
Toilet Paper (4 rolls): $3.50
Gym Membership: $42.50
Movie (cinema) Ticket: $12.50

Source: Numbeo

8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in New Jersey

Everyone in the US drives on the right. Many people use their cars for work in New Jersey. The rush hour is nowhere near as long as bad as other cities around the world. If you’re moving to New Jersey from within the US, you’ll be able to keep your license but need to update your address to your new one.

You can drive on a foreign license for up to 12 months as a tourist but after that, you will need to get an American license. If you are working or studying in the US, you can drive on your foreign license for 30 days. If you want to exchange your foreign driver’s license you have to follow the process here.

Here are some other sample costs of owning and operating a car in New Jersey:

Volkswagen Golf: $21,000+
1 litre (¼ gallon) of Gas (petrol): $0.95

Source: Numbeo

Ways To Save Money on Driving in New Jersey:

Car sharing or pooling is one way to save money. Try NJ Ride Share.
Taxis can sometimes be a cheaper option, especially if you are going to have to park all day. Try Uber or Lyft.

9. Taxes in New Jersey

No matter where you live in the State, you will pay federal tax. To learn more about the different taxes in the States go to Immihelp and USA taxes.

In New Jersey, the state sales tax rate is 6.625%. It’s important to note that there are additional local taxes imposed by counties and municipalities, which can vary.

Whether you own or rent your home, you will be subject to property tax based on the area in which you live and the size of the property you live in. Learn more about property tax in New Jersey at Property Tax.

Finally, if you decide to buy a flat or house in New Jersey you’ll have to pay real estate transfer tax.

10. Flight Costs from New Jersey

If you do make the move to New Jersey, here’s approximately how much it will cost to fly to other major world cities based on the lowest, one-way fares from Skyscanner as of mid-2023:

London: $600
Los Angeles: $110
Toronto: $65
Vancouver: $175
Dubai: $710
Sydney: $750
Melbourne: $900
Cape Town: $700
Hong Kong: $1,000

Other Tips on Moving to New Jersey:

The costs and pricing above should give you a good idea of the cost of living in New Jersey but perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.

11. Moving to New Jersey Alone

Moving anywhere can be a lonely experience, but moving to a new city can be especially daunting. Here are a few tips about settling in New Jersey.

Meetups: There are many Meetup groups to choose from. You will definitely find something to join which will help you to settle in.
Attend Local Events: New Jersey always has something going on. Have a look at Eventbrite.

12. Moving to New Jersey with a Family

New Jersey is generally considered a family-friendly location. The state offers excellent schools, family-oriented neighbourhoods, and numerous recreational opportunities such as parks, beaches, and family-friendly events. While some areas have lower crime rates and are considered safe, others may have higher crime rates.

New Parents (or parents to be): There are free and paid antenatal classes and courses. Have a look at RWJ Health.
Live in a Family-friendly Area: Many areas in New Jersey are considered family-friendly. Princeton offers a family-friendly environment with a strong sense of community, as well as Montclair, which is popular for its reputable schools, cultural diversity, and access to parks and recreational activities.
Find Things To Do With The Kids: There are many activities for families living in New Jersey. Have a look at the following sites to be inspired – Trip Advisor.

13. Moving to New Jersey for Work

While it is possible to move to New Jersey without a job, it makes sense to ensure there are jobs in your field before you make the move. New Jersey’s main industries include pharmaceuticals, healthcare, finance, technology, transportation, and manufacturing. As of late 2021, the unemployment rate was around 6.8%.

Here are a few things to consider when moving for work:

Salary: Salaries vary enormously depending on which industry you are in. The costs we outlined above should give you a rough idea of how much more you’ll want to make the move worthwhile. You can also check salary ranges on sites such as Payscale for the specific state.
How To Find Work: If you want to have a job lined up before you move to New Jersey, but aren’t sure where to begin, the following sites are good places to start: Monster and Indeed. You may also want to Google recruiters in your industry, as they can often help land you some initial interviews as well.

14. Moving to New Jersey from Australia

There’s a small group of Australians living and working in New Jersey, if you are thinking of joining them, here are a few things to consider.

Size Comparison: There isn’t an area in Australia similar to the size of New Jersey.
Join Expat Groups: There are so few Australians in New Jersey that there isn’t a dedicated site. However, you can always start your own Australian Meetup group.

15. Moving to New Jersey from Canada

There’s a small group of Canadians living in New Jersey. If you’re considering making the move from Canada here are a few things to consider.

Size: The province of Prince Edward Island in Canada has an area which is close to the size of New Jersey.
Expat Groups: Meeting up with fellow Canadians helps the moving process. Start a Canadian Meetup group.

16. Moving to New Jersey from the United Kingdom

There’s a small number of Brits living in New Jersey. If you are thinking of making the move from the UK to join them, then here are a few things to consider.

Size: Wales is roughly the same size as New Jersey.
Expat Groups: If you want to join up with fellow Brits in New Jersey, then start your own British Meetup group.

Hopefully, the tips and costs above are helpful. If want to get started pricing out how much it will cost you to move to New Jersey you can start by comparing moving quotes here.