Average Moving Costs in NJ: Factors that Affect Moving Prices

In New Jersey life’s pace can shift with the scenery, from the city streets of Newark to the beaches and boardwalks along the Jersey Shore. The same goes for understanding your NJ moving costs and planning well beyond just the moving day cost. Before your first box is even packed, expenses like packing supplies and optional services can add up. And if you’re considering a comprehensive service, like a full-service white-glove move, it’s important to know and manage your moving budget in advance.

At Piece of Cake Moving & Storage, we help you simplify your transition in NJ with straightforward, flat-fee pricing to ensure there are no unwanted surprises. Whether you’re heading to a Jersey City loft or a seaside home, feel free to reach out for a personalized quote. In the meantime, we’re here to help you navigate your NJ moving costs with ease and confidence.

Here’s what we’ll cover in this guide to help you accurately estimate your NJ moving costs:

NJ Moving Cost by Type

1. Local Moves
2. Long-distance Moves
3. Specialty Items

NJ Local Moves

For local moves within NJ, costs can vary significantly based on factors like the size of your home. On average, local moves within NJ cost $900 and can range anywhere from $450 for a studio to $1,850 for a large house.

Average NJ Local Moving Costs by Size

NJ Long-distance Moves

Out-of-state long-distance moves from NJ generally cost an average of $2,050, depending on the distance and volume of items. Factors like fuel costs, tolls, or an expedited drop-off delivery can also influence the price.

Specialty Items or Services

When you’re gearing up for a move in NJ, remember to properly care for your special items that need a bit more prep time than just disassembly and tossing them in a box with packing peanuts. High value items like art, antiques, or even bulky furniture pieces like fitness equipment, pool tables, or pianos require special packing and handling. Make sure your movers know that they’ll be moving specialized items for an accurate quote. Some pieces may need custom crates or climate-controlled transport.

For example, if you’re moving with a hot tub, the moving company will need to deploy a team of enough people to handle moving the hot tub, as well as the professional equipment to be used. Professional movers will know their way around such a bulky piece and will be skilled in knowing how to maneuver it around tight corners without damaging the item or the property. Loading and securing it also takes expertise that is more than just strong arms, and that’s going to be reflected in your NJ moving costs.

If you’re considering extras like full insurance or a premium white-glove service, these add-ons come at an extra price and can bump up your moving costs, but it may be worth it for the added protection and coverage, especially if you’re moving with a lot of high value possessions. You can rest easy knowing your treasured belongings are in good hands. It’s all about weighing what services you need or want against what you’re willing to spend.

NJ Moving Cost by Size

1. Studio or 1 Bedroom moves
2. Multi-room moves

NJ Studio or 1 Bedroom Moves

In New Jersey’s real estate market, living spaces vary as much as the Garden State’s landscapes. You might find snug studio or one-bedroom condos off the urban streets in Jersey City, to sprawling estates tucked away in the hills of Somerset County. Moving from the former smaller units tend to be an advantage when moving time rolls around, as fewer items translate to lower moving costs.

Managing a local NJ move for smaller apartments or studios typically requires two movers, with costs averaging at $450 for a local NJ studio move and $750 for a local NJ one-bedroom move. But NJ moves aren’t just about packing and unpacking—there’s the unique Garden State challenges like navigating the infamous jughandles and dealing with tight parking regulations in densely populated areas like Hoboken or Jersey City, or moving through the narrow historic streets of towns like Morristown or Princeton. These can add an extra layer of complexities to handle.

Buildings with strict HOA regulations or those that require specific move-in/out times can also make the moving process more intricate. It’s common for luxury buildings to require a certificate of insurance (COI) before allowing you to reserve service elevators for your move, which can also have limited availability during peak moving seasons. Make sure to check with your building management about their requirements and confirm if your movers can provide the necessary COI paperwork. At Piece of Cake Moving, we handle all your COI paperwork requirements free of charge with our moving service, so you can have one less thing to think about.

NJ Multi-room Moves

In New Jersey, larger residences often feature home offices, personal gyms, or expansive walk-in closets, which come with a higher moving cost. Whether you’re upgrading to a larger suburban home or downsizing to a cozier urban unit, the logistics of moving and finding storage solutions in NJ can be challenging.

For these larger moves within NJ, it’s common to require a team of 3+ professional movers. The complexity of the move can also increase if your residence is in a tightly-packed neighborhood like Hoboken or if it has limited access, such as many hillside homes in areas like the Palisades. Factors in determining the move cost include the layout of your house or building, elevator access or stairs, and handling specialty items.

When you’re getting quotes from movers, it’s important to provide detailed information about the volume of your belongings and the specifics of your residence. Other considerations like the time of day or week of your move, and any additional services like packing or storage, will also influence the price of your moving quote.

NJ Moving Cost Factors

1. Packing supplies
2. Housing application fees
3. Lease terms
4. Connections & utilities
5. Your time & effort
6. DIY move

Packing Supplies

In New Jersey, even a studio apartment move can have costs of $150-$200 just for quality packing materials to keep your items secure, especially fragile glassware and dishes. For example, a typical three-shelf bookcase usually requires three medium-sized boxes, one for each shelf. This straightforward calculation helps you get a sense of just the right amount of packing supplies without overspending.

To cut down on these expenses, you may want to source sturdy boxes in good condition from local stores or reuse boxes from neighbors. For an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative, consider renting reusable plastic moving bins. These bins cost around $50-$100 for a set of 20 for a week. They’re durable, waterproof, and stack neatly, making them an excellent choice if you want to aim to minimize moving box clutter and go green. Just keep in mind, if you like to take your time unpacking, these bins are rented by the week, and costs can add up if you keep them longer than planned.

Housing Application Fees

In New Jersey, finding a rental can feel like a marathon with plenty of hurdles to clear. From trendy lofts in Hoboken to historic houses in Morristown, the rental application process often comes with non-refundable fees. Expect charges like a $50 fee for credit checks, and application fees that usually range between $100 and $150.

When you’re budgeting for your NJ move, remember to factor in these upfront costs. They can add up quickly and catch you off guard if you’re not prepared and can potentially throw off your moving budget.

Lease Terms

In New Jersey’s rental market, it’s essential to read over the details of your lease, specifically the notice period required for vacating your apartment or choosing not to renew. While a 30-day notice used to be standard, many leases now mandate a 60-day notice—a change that’s become more common since COVID. Also, watch out for clauses that might let the management company reclaim concessions like discounted rent, if you move out before your lease term ends.

Understanding your lease terms thoroughly is crucial to avoid unexpected costs and to plan your move without any surprises that could put you over your moving budget.

Connections & Utilities

Ensuring that your utilities and services like Wi-Fi and electricity are smoothly transferred to your new address beforehand can save you both time and money. It’s important to contact your service providers in advance of your move to pre-arrange the start/stop dates for your services. Also, update your billing address and review your current plan for any potential upgrades or promotions—you might find a better deal than what you’re currently paying for.

Keep in mind that your new apartment building might be tied to a specific service provider, meaning you may have to switch from your current provider, like Verizon, to another, such as Optimum. If you’re moving into a newly constructed apartment complex, you might need to schedule a technician’s visit to set up your service, which often comes with additional one-time fees for setup and equipment costs.

Handling these details ahead of time can ensure that you can enjoy your new New Jersey home as soon as you move in. Whether it’s relaxing with your favorite streaming show or FaceTiming long-distance friends with a fast, reliable Wi-Fi connection, getting these essentials sorted in advance will help you settle in smoothly.

Your Time & Effort

A day off to handle your move is essential. It lets you keep an eye on the process and ensures everything ends up where you want it. If you can, schedule your move for a weekday. You’ll often save money and avoid the weekend rush when traffic is heavier and moving costs are higher. If weekdays don’t work and you need to move on a Saturday, be prepared for more activity and increased prices. Sometimes the convenience of a weekend move justifies the expense and also gives you extra time to unpack and get comfortable in your new home.

DIY Move

For those considering a DIY move in NJ, diving into the details of rental trucks can significantly impact both cost and convenience. First, check if your rental agreement includes free mileage for local trips, since this can save you a lot of money. Also, consider a one-way rental option that allows you to drop off the truck at a location closer to your new home. This can save you hours of driving time in a state known for its dense traffic in some areas.

Remember that the total cost of your truck rental might also rise due to additional expenses such as fuel charges, tolls, extra mileage, or comprehensive insurance coverage. These costs can vary based on factors like the size of the truck, the duration of the rental, and the distance you’re moving.

Driving a large rental truck in NJ also comes with its own challenges, especially if you’re navigating hilly areas, maneuvering through narrow roads, or parking in tight spots. Being comfortable behind the wheel isn’t for everyone, especially if you’re not familiar with navigating New Jersey’s jughandles—those unique left-turn routes that can add time to your trip.

Handling a DIY move in NJ requires thorough planning, including mapping out your driving route to avoid traffic and busy areas. Balance the potential savings against the time and effort needed to manage every detail of your move. Unless you’re moving a short distance, hiring professional movers can be worth the investment and peace of mind.

If you’re considering hiring professionals, we offer a seamless moving experience so you can relax and enjoy your new home without the stress of moving. With our transparent flat-fee pricing and accurate quotes, you can be confident there won’t be any unexpected costs, especially with the time-based moves in NJ where traffic can cause significant delays.

Tips for Reducing NJ Moving Costs

1. Declutter before moving
2. Off-peak moving times
3. Gather free packing materials

Declutter Before Moving

Here’s the key takeaway: the fewer items you have to move, the lower your moving costs will be. Take some time to sift through your belongings and bulky items. Think about donating items you no longer need to local thrift stores or charities. Alternatively, if you have the time, consider selling your higher value items on marketplace platforms like Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, or Poshmark. You can potentially add some extra dollars to fund your moving budget.

Off-Peak Moving Times

Timing is everything when planning your move. If you have some flexibility, consider scheduling your NJ move for a midweek day like Tuesday or Wednesday. Weekends and month-ends are peak times for moving, which come with higher prices due to increased demand. Choosing a weekday can help you save money and give you a better chance of securing your ideal moving date and time. Plus, you’ll have an easier time navigating New Jersey’s roads without the heavy weekend traffic.

Gather Free Packing Materials

Instead of buying moving boxes, consider getting them for free from local New Jersey stores like grocery shops, bookstores, and retail outlets that often have extras. You can also find free boxes through community forums or apps like Nextdoor, which can help with both your budget and the environment. Plus, it’s a great way to get acquainted with your new neighborhood.

Overall, when planning your NJ move it’s important to factor in multiple costs. The total expense mainly depends on the size of your move, the distance, the timing, and any specific moving requirements you might have.

Whether you’re transitioning to a chic apartment in Jersey City or a quaint home in Morristown, knowing your NJ moving costs is essential. With thorough planning and the support of a trusted moving partner like Piece of Cake Moving & Storage, we can ensure a smooth move for you.

Thinking about your next move? Reach out to Piece of Cake Moving & Storage for a tailored quote to help you gauge your NJ moving costs.