The best moving companies in New Jersey

We found the best New Jersey movers by researching more than 30 moving companies.
Best long-distance moving company
Best local moving company
Best moving container company
Best moving truck company
Best hourly moving labor company

New Jersey has the nation’s highest per-capita population, with an average of more than 1,250 people living within each square mile. Additionally, more than 800,000 people moved to New Jersey last year. International Van Lines is the best New Jersey mover, thanks to its high-quality moving services like packing, loading, and storage. But, of course, there are other options too. We’ll walk you through our top picks for cheap movers, moving containers, and more, whether you’re moving to Jersey City, Atlantic City, or South Jersey.

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Get a moving quote from one of the best Jersey City movers. Our top pick for local moves has a perfect five-star rating for moving services.


Compare New Jersey moving companies

Moving company
Move type
Move.org rating
Cost
Learn more
Full-service (long distance)
4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9
$$$$
Full-service (local)
4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4
$$$
Moving container
4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6
$$$
Truck rental
4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5
$$
Hourly labor
4 out of 5 stars
4
$$

Best Movers in New Jersey

International Van Lines—Best long-distance moving company

Best long-distance moving company

International Van Lines is our pick for the best long-distance moving company. It can move you anywhere in the country and is upfront about its prices (most moving companies aren’t). IVL also offers substantial discounts if you’re a senior or need to ship a car. Plus, the moving company provides 30 days of free storage to provide a buffer when moving into your new home. On the downside, it has below-average customer reviews and annoying website pop-up ads.

pro
Pros
pro Transparent pricing
pro Local and long-distance moving
pro 15% car shipping discount
pro 15% senior discount
pro 30 days of free storage
con
Cons
con Below-average customer reviews
con Annoying pop-up ads

First National Van Lines—Best local moving company

Best local moving company

First National Van Lines is our pick for the best local moving company. While most moving brokers focus on helping you move between states, FNVL’s expertise enables you to move within the same state. It has a network of movers in nearly all US cities and receives above-average customer reviews. First National Van Lines can also give you a quote virtually or in person and provides attractive storage options. For example, it offers all customers a free month of storage and a remote video stream of their storage space. On the downside, FNVL’s website isn’t always up-to-date.

pro
Pros
pro Services most U.S. cities
pro Excellent customer reviews
pro In-home and virtual quotes
pro 30 days of free storage
pro Remote video storage
con
Cons
con Out-of-date website

PODS—Best moving container company

Best moving container company

PODS is one of your best moving options. Think of the company’s containers as storage units that you can hang onto until you've set a date with a driver to pick up and hook onto the back of a specialized truck. A PODS truck drops off a moving container at your home. Once you load it, PODS picks the container up and transports it to your new home, where you unload it. The container company has top-notch customer reviews, excellent storage options, and nationwide availability. And despite confusing invoices, PODS has some of the lowest rates for moving containers in the United States. In some cases, it's even more convenient and cheaper than rental trucks.

pro
Pros
pro Low prices
pro Multiple container sizes
pro Lots of storage options
pro Positive customer reviews
pro 46-state availability
con
Cons
con Confusing prices

Penske—Best moving truck company

Best moving truck company

Penske Truck Rental is our pick for the best moving truck company. Renting a truck is the cheapest way to move, and Penske brings a lot to the table. It offers local and long-distance moving services everywhere in the country (except Alaska), provides reliable reservations, and has moving discounts. In addition, Penske has the highest customer satisfaction rating of any rental truck company. So if you’re able to pack, load, and drive, there’s no better option than Penske Truck Rental.

pro
Pros
pro Lowest moving prices
pro Local and long-distance rentals
pro Excellent customer reviews
pro Moving discounts
pro Reliable reservations
con
Cons
con No service in Alaska

HireAHelper—Best hourly moving labor company

Best hourly moving labor company

HireAHelper is an excellent solution if you need help with only a few parts of the moving process. The company’s professional contractors can help you with everything from packing and loading to furniture assembly and junk removal. It’s also easy to find, with nearly 5,000 locations in all 50 states. Plus, HireAHelper movers get excellent customer reviews. Just be aware that you must hire your workers for at least two hours. It’s not cheap compared to other hourly moving labor companies, but customer reviews suggest the premium price is worth it.

pro
Pros
pro Professional contractors
pro Packing and loading services
pro 4,750+ locations
pro 50-state availability
pro Positive customer reviews
con
Cons
con High prices
con Two-hour minimum

Move.org's top pick

internationalvanlines

International Van Lines is our pick for the best long-distance moving service. It has a vast network of cross-country movers, provides one month of free storage, and offers military and senior discounts. Want to move with Move.org's #1 pick?


What type of moving company is right for you?

Professional movers
They handle it all.

Professional movers load your stuff, ship it to your new home, and unload it all for you. It’s the easiest—but most expensive—option. Learn more.

Containers
You load, they ship.

You load up all your belongings, but the movers transport your container to your new home. It’s the middle road for effort and cost. Learn more.

Moving truck rentals
You do all the work.

Worried about costs? Rent a truck, load it yourself, drive it to your new home, and unload all your things. You do it all—and save a lot. Learn more.


What to know about moving in New Jersey

Population

New Jersey has a population of approximately 9.3 million people.1 While that falls short of places like California, with nearly 40 million residents, New Jersey packs more people into each square mile than all other states.2 Its largest ethnic groups are White, Latino, African American, and Asian. The average Garden State household has 2.7 people,1 and the median age is 40.3 More than 800,000 people moved in New Jersey last year, including roughly 80% who were moving from one New Jersey city to another.4

Employment

The median income in New Jersey is about $85,245. Just under two-thirds of the state participates in the labor force,1 and the economy gained approximately 197,000 payroll jobs last year.5 The state’s most prominent occupations are education, construction, and restaurants, while the highest paying non-medical jobs are in securities and internet publishing. New Jersey’s wealthiest counties are Hunterdon County, Morris County, and Somerset County, while the areas with the lowest median income per household include Cumberland County, Atlantic County, and Salem County.3

Cost of living

It’s expensive to live in New Jersey. Residents can expect to pay above-average rates for everything from groceries to health care.6 Housing is especially pricey, with the median property value landing at approximately $344,000. Not surprisingly, homeownership rates are lower in New Jersey than in most other states.3

New Jersey utility bills cost roughly $380 monthly, including gas, electricity, and water. Phone charges run about $110 per month, while TV streaming services set the average New Jerseyite back about $50.

Politics

New Jersey is a blue state. More than 50% of residents identify with the Democratic Party compared to only 30% who lean Republican.7 An even higher percentage of the state voted for Joe Biden in the presidential election. For example, more than 57% of the state voted for Biden, while the Republican incumbent garnered 41% of the vote. New Jersey’s bluest counties are Essex County, Hudson County, and Mercer County, while the state’s reddest regions include Ocean County, Sussex County, and Cape May County.3


Best New Jersey movers FAQ

What is the best New Jersey moving company?

International Van Lines is the best moving company in New Jersey—and the United States. The professional movers are known for transparent pricing, steep discounts, and packing services.

When is the best time of year to move in New Jersey?

The best time to move in New Jersey is when moving demand is low. That typically means booking with a professional moving company in the winter or spring.

What should I know about moving in New Jersey’s big cities?

You’ll likely need to pay extra if you’re moving in one of New Jersey’s big cities like Newark or Jersey City. That typically includes additional moving services like an elevator carry or shuttle transfer service (big trucks can’t go into large metro areas).

What is the best option for a cross-country move?

A professional moving company like JK Moving Services is the best option for a cross-country move. Customer reviews show that the company provides an excellent moving experience.

What is the cheapest way to move in New Jersey?

The cheapest way to move in New Jersey is likely with a moving truck company. However, moving containers could be even more affordable if you’re doing a long-distance move.


Methodology

We conducted intensive research to identify the best moving companies for long-distance moves and local moves, in addition to container moves, truck rentals, and hourly moving labor:

  • Compare pricing transparency. We gather quotes, check for binding estimates, and read customer reviews about pricing to ensure each moving company’s prices are trustworthy.

  • Review accreditation. We check every company’s records in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s database to confirm companies are properly authorized to transport household goods.

  • Mystery shopping. We review every company’s website, pose as customers in calls to companies, and read customer reviews to analyze every company’s moving services, transit protection, and customer service. We also interview actual customers to learn how their moves went from start to finish.

  • Site visits. We invite moving companies to our headquarters in Salt Lake City, UT, to share data and expertise. We verify the information they provide by comparing it to data gathered through independent research and interviews with other movers.

  • Regular review. We routinely repeat this process to update our recommendations to reflect current data and trends. We also revise each review annually and make updates throughout the year.

Sources

  1. United States Census Bureau, “Quick Facts: New Jersey,” Accessed October 14, 2022.
  2. United States Census Bureau, October 14, 2022, “U.S. and World Population Clock,” Accessed October 14, 2022.
  3. Deloitte, “Data USA: New Jersey,” Accessed October 14, 2022.
  4. United States Census Bureau, December 15, 2020, “Census Bureau Releases 2020 CPS ASEC Geographic Mobility Data,” Accessed October 14, 2022.
  5. United States Congress Joint Economic Committee, September 16, 2022, “New Jersey Employment Report,” Accessed October 14, 2022.
  6. Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, “Cost of Living Data Series,” Accessed October 14, 2022.
  7. Pew Research Center, “Religious Landscape Study: Party Affiliation Among Adults in New Jersey,” Accessed October 14, 2022.
Kurt Manwaring
Written by
Kurt Manwaring
Kurt Manwaring brings nearly a decade’s worth of research experience as a business consultant to the Move.org team. He specializes in taking complicated issues (like moving) and presenting them in a way that everyone can understand. His writing has been featured in hundreds of publications, including USA Today, Martha Stewart Living, Country Living, Good Housekeeping, Heavy, Slate, and Yahoo! Lifestyle. He brings a BS in sociology and an MPA (masters of public administration) to the Move team. He would love to hear about your moving experiences and questions at kurt@move.org.