Moving from Arizona to New Jersey
Moving from Arizona to New Jersey is a long-haul, cross-country move of about 2,624 miles. At that distance most people hire professional movers and fly to their new home — this checklist covers every step of a long-distance relocation.
Generate My ChecklistAZ vs NJ at a Glance
Income Tax
Sales Tax
Time Zone
You'll be changing time zones
Distance
Moving Cost
Professional move, 2–3 BR home. Summer +20–30%.
What This Move Means for You
Modest cost-of-living shift
Overall costs in New Jersey are about 10% higher than in Arizona — enough to notice on housing, but not a dramatic change.
Higher income tax
New Jersey's top income tax rate (~10.75%) is higher than Arizona's (~2.5%). The difference shows up in every paycheck.
Higher property taxes
New Jersey's effective property tax rate (1.88%) is higher than Arizona's (0.48%). If you plan to buy, weigh the extra annual cost into your budget.
Wetter climate
New Jersey gets about 34" more precipitation a year than Arizona. Waterproof gear and covered parking are worth having on arrival.
Before You Leave Arizona
File Form 140PY for the year you move
You are a part-year resident if you move out of Arizona intending to give up your residency. File Form 140PY. Arizona taxes all income you earned while you lived here. It also taxes income from Arizona sources after you leave. Enter the date you gave up residency and the name of your new state. If two states tax the same income, see Form 309 for a credit.
Source: Arizona Department of Revenue, Form 140PY Instructions (2025)Order a paper title before you register the car elsewhere
Arizona stores title information electronically. You do not automatically get a paper title. You may need a paper title when you move out of state. Order one with the Title Replacement service on AZ MVD Now. The fee is $4. If you still have a loan on the car, ask your lender how it will send the title to your new state.
Source: ADOT, Title and Registration TopicsYou do not have to tell MVD you moved
When you register the car in your new state, that state should notify Arizona MVD. Until that happens, you may still get registration renewal and insurance notices. Arizona does not refund the rest of your registration after you register the car somewhere else.
Source: ADOT MVD, Vehicle Services FAQKeep Arizona insurance until you register the car elsewhere
Keep your Arizona insurance until your new state registers the car. Insurance companies report cancelled policies to MVD. A lapse can lead to a registration suspension. With an insurance suspension in Arizona, you cannot get a driver license in another state until you clear it. To clear it, show proof of Arizona insurance that was in effect at the time. If you cannot, pay a $50 reinstatement fee and show current Arizona insurance.
Source: ADOT MVD, Vehicle Services FAQRegister a house you rent out with the county assessor
If you keep a home and rent it out, record it with the assessor in its county. An owner who lives outside Arizona must also name a statutory agent who lives in Arizona. Do this before a tenant moves in. State law does not let anyone live in the rental until the record is on file. Update the information within 10 days after it changes. A city or town can fine an owner who does not register.
Source: Arizona Revised Statutes 33-1902, Residential rental propertyMaricopa County: a house you leave is no longer a primary residence
A primary residence is your one main home, where you or a qualified family member live more than seven months a year. If you claim a home in another state as your primary residence, the Arizona house no longer qualifies. A house rented to someone outside the family becomes class 4.2 rental property. Class 4.2 does not get the State Aid credit, so the tax bill may go up.
Source: Maricopa County Assessor, FAQAfter You Arrive in New Jersey
Transfer your driver license within 60 days
Transfer your license within 60 days of your move. If your current license expires sooner, transfer it before it expires. Make an appointment for a transfer from out-of-state at an MVC agency. Buy a $10 transfer permit there. If your license is valid, non-provisional, and in good standing, you skip the knowledge and road tests. You surrender your old license and get a four-year New Jersey license.
Source: NJ Motor Vehicle Commission, Moving to New JerseyBring 6 Points of ID and proof of address
Bring documents that add up to 6 Points of ID. Bring originals or certified copies, not photocopies. Also bring proof of your New Jersey address. A REAL ID needs two proofs of address, and a standard license needs one. Bring your Social Security number and complete Form BA-208.
Source: NJ Motor Vehicle Commission, 6 Points of IDTitle and register your vehicle within 60 days
Make a New Title or Registration appointment. Bring your ID, the original title, and insurance information. Also bring Form OS/SS-UTA and Form BA-49. If a lender holds your title, send Form OS/SS-54 to the lender first. The title fee is $60, or $85 with one lien. You do not pay sales tax if you bought, titled, and registered the vehicle in another state as a nonresident.
Source: NJ Motor Vehicle Commission, Moving to New JerseyTake the vehicle for inspection after you register
New Jersey inspects most vehicles every two years. A vehicle less than five model years old can get a five-year exemption. In that case MVC gives you a green card (Form SS-19) when you register. Take the vehicle to a State Inspection Station to get the decal. For an older vehicle, ask MVC when you register when the first inspection is due. Bring your license, registration, and New Jersey insurance identification card to the inspection. Bring the original license and registration. You can show the insurance card on your phone.
Source: NJ Motor Vehicle Commission, Vehicle Inspection FAQsChoose a Standard or Basic auto policy
New Jersey has two main auto policies, Standard and Basic. Both meet the legal minimum. For a Standard Policy issued or renewed from January 1, 2026, bodily injury liability starts at $35,000 per person and $70,000 per accident. Property damage liability starts at $25,000. The Basic Policy costs less. It has $5,000 of property damage liability and $15,000 of personal injury protection (PIP). It does not include bodily injury liability unless you add it.
Source: NJ Department of Banking and Insurance, Standard Auto Insurance PolicyRegister to vote at least 21 days before an election
The registration deadline is 21 days before an election. You must be a resident of your county 30 days before the election. You can register at an MVC agency when you transfer your license.
Source: NJ Division of Elections, Voter Registration ApplicationYour Moving Timeline
8 Weeks Before
At about 2,624 miles (~47.5 hours of driving), most people book professional long-distance movers and fly rather than drive. Reserve movers 6–8 weeks out, especially in summer.
4 Weeks Before
Notify your utility providers, update your address with USPS, and begin packing non-essential items.
1 Week Before
Confirm with your movers, finish packing, clean your home, and prepare a moving day essentials bag.
Moving Day
Supervise loading, do a final walkthrough of your old home, and hand over the keys.
After the Move
Update your driver's license at the New Jersey DMV, register to vote in NJ, and set up your new utilities.
Free to use — $2.99 to print
Climate Comparison
Arizona
Hot desert climate with dry heat, sunny skies, and mild winters.
New Jersey
Humid subtropical with hot, humid summers and cold winters.
Utilities & Cost of Living
Arizona
New Jersey
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is it from Arizona to New Jersey?
The driving distance from Arizona to New Jersey is approximately 2,624 miles — about 47.5 hours of driving at highway speeds.
How much does it cost to move from Arizona to New Jersey?
A professional interstate move from Arizona to New Jersey typically costs between $5,500 and $10,000, depending on the size of your home and time of year.
- Summer moves (May–September) tend to cost 20–30% more.
What is the cost of living difference between Arizona and New Jersey?
Arizona has a cost of living index of 107.6 versus 118.8 for New Jersey (US average = 100).
- Overall, New Jersey is about 10% higher than Arizona.
How do property taxes compare between Arizona and New Jersey?
Arizona's effective property tax rate is about 0.48%, versus 1.88% in New Jersey.
- On a typical home that difference raises your annual holding costs, so factor it in if you plan to buy.
How soon do I need to update my driver's license after moving to New Jersey?
After establishing residency in New Jersey, you have 60 days to update your driver's license at a New Jersey DMV office.
- Vehicle registration is a separate transaction with its own deadline, which in most states differs from the license deadline — confirm both with the New Jersey DMV before you go.
What is the climate like in New Jersey?
New Jersey has humid subtropical with hot, humid summers and cold winters.
- The annual average temperature is 53°F, with about 47 inches of precipitation per year.
- Average monthly electricity bills run around $128.