New Jersey has ranked first nationally for outbound migration every year from 2018 through 2024 according to United Van Lines’ annual study — eight consecutive years at the top of the outbound list. In 2024, 67% of moves tracked by United Van Lines involving New Jersey were departures, with Florida receiving 20% of those leaving. The primary drivers are retirement (22%) and a desire to be closer to family (20%), with more than 40% of those moving aged 65 and older. U-Haul ranked New Jersey 48th out of 50 states for net growth in 2024, meaning outbound equipment far outnumbers inbound.
That outbound volume is a defining feature of the NJ moving market. Movers here handle an unusually high share of long-distance, one-way shipments headed south on I-95 toward Florida, or west on I-78 and I-80 toward Pennsylvania and the Midwest. At the same time, New Jersey’s 9.3 million residents make it the most densely populated state in the country, creating steady local and metro-area move demand — apartment relocations in Jersey City, Hoboken, and Newark require navigating elevator reservations, freight-only windows, and building certificates of insurance, adding logistics complexity that suburban movers rarely face. The typical local NJ move costs between $600 and $2,500 depending on home size, with an average hourly crew rate of approximately $135.
New Jersey has one of the stricter mover licensing frameworks in the country. All intrastate household goods movers must hold a Public Movers and Warehousemen License from the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs, with license types PM (moving only), PW (warehousing only), or PC (combination). Operating without a license is a crime under Public Law 2019, C.216. Licensed movers must carry minimum liability and cargo insurance, file rate tariffs, provide a written estimate following an in-person or virtual survey, and deliver the state’s “Important Notice to Consumers” brochure before each move. The NJ Attorney General’s Division of Consumer Affairs ran “Operation Safe Move” in December 2025, issuing Notices of Violation against 11 unlicensed moving companies. Interstate moves are governed by FMCSA.
Top-Rated Movers in New Jersey
White Glove Moving & Storage
Address: 235 West 1st St, Bayonne, NJ 07002
Website: https://whiteglovemoving.us
USDOT: #648262
Founded over 30 years ago, White Glove Moving & Storage is self-described as the oldest and largest independent moving company in New Jersey. The family-owned, A+ BBB-accredited company carries NJ DCA license #39PC00071500 and serves the full NJ and NYC metro area. Services include local and long-distance residential moves, commercial relocations, full and partial packing, premium crating for fine art and antiques, and climate-controlled storage at facilities in Bayonne and North Bergen. The company employs over 34 moving crews and handles long-distance delivery across the continental US using its own tractors and air-ride trailers rather than subcontracting.
NJ Great Movers
Address: 1416 E Linden Ave, Suite C, Linden, NJ 07036
Website: https://njgreatmovers.com
USDOT: #3547419
Founded in 2011 by owners with a decade of prior industry experience, NJ Great Movers operates a full fleet out of Linden and serves all of New Jersey as well as New York and Connecticut. The company holds an A+ BBB rating with 4.9 stars on Google across several hundred reviews. Services include local, long-distance, and mid-distance moving, commercial and apartment moves, full packing, and climate-controlled storage fully owned and operated by the company (not third-party). They offer real-time tracking, digital inventory management, and plastic bin rentals as an alternative to cardboard boxes. Their 30+ years of combined team experience includes familiarity with building regulations and parking logistics across Jersey City, Hoboken, Newark, and Union City.
Big G Movers
Address: Ridgefield Park, NJ (exact street address not publicly listed)
Website: https://biggmoversinc.com
USDOT: #2358159
Big G Movers holds NJ DCA license #39PM00107800 and FMCSA MC #MC807903. The company specializes in local residential moves, long-distance East Coast relocations, office and commercial moves, and packing and unpacking services. They also offer overnight storage and participate in Move For Hunger, donating non-perishable food items left behind by customers to local food banks. Big G serves northern and central New Jersey and is noted for transparent flat-rate pricing with no hidden fees. Senior moving is listed as a distinct specialty service.
Moving Companies in New Jersey: Common Questions
Is my moving company required to be licensed in New Jersey?
Yes — New Jersey has one of the strictest licensing regimes for movers in the country. All companies performing intrastate (within NJ) moves must hold a Public Movers and Warehousemen License from the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs. Operating without this license is a criminal offense under state law. You can verify a mover’s license at newjersey.mylicense.com/verification or by calling the Division at (973) 504-6442. Interstate moves fall under federal FMCSA oversight; verify those at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov.
How much does a local move typically cost in New Jersey?
Average hourly rates for a New Jersey moving crew run approximately $135 per hour. A studio apartment move typically runs around $448; a one-bedroom around $637; a two-bedroom approximately $1,054; and a three-bedroom home around $2,486. These figures are averages — moves in dense urban areas like Jersey City or Hoboken often run higher due to elevator reservation fees, building certificates of insurance, and distance from parking to unit. Contact movers directly for quotes specific to your building and location.
How does New Jersey’s density and building stock affect moving costs?
New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the US, and a substantial portion of its housing is high-rise and mid-rise apartments in the NYC metro corridor. Buildings in Jersey City, Hoboken, and Newark routinely require movers to reserve freight elevators, obtain certificates of insurance listing the building, and schedule moves within restricted hours (typically 9am-5pm on weekdays). These requirements add time and administrative cost that movers factor into their estimates. Suburban single-family homes in Morris, Somerset, and Monmouth counties are more straightforward, but long driveways and septic systems can restrict truck size and access.
What consumer protections apply to my NJ move?
Licensed NJ movers must provide a written estimate following an in-person or virtual survey of your goods and must deliver the state’s “Important Notice to Consumers Using Public Movers and Warehousemen” before each move. They must carry minimum liability coverage of $1.00 per pound per article for intrastate moves. A binding estimate (fixed price) may be requested; a non-binding estimate may change but must follow the tariff filed with the Division of Consumer Affairs. For disputes, file a complaint with the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs at njconsumeraffairs.gov or call 1-800-242-5846 (toll-free in NJ).
Where are NJ residents going when they leave, and what routes do movers use?
Per United Van Lines’ 2024 study, 20% of those leaving New Jersey went to Florida — the most common single destination. South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee also drew significant numbers. The primary interstate corridors for these outbound moves are I-95 south (toward Philadelphia, then the Southeast) and I-78/I-80 west into Pennsylvania. For moves within the state, the Garden State Parkway and the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) define north-south corridors, while Routes 1 and 9 connect the urban core from Newark to Trenton. Understanding which routes your mover typically uses affects transit times and delivery windows on long-distance shipments.