Moving from Boston, MA to Newark, NJ
It is a 225 mi drive, roughly 4h 52m, between Boston, MA and Newark, NJ. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
225 mi · 4h 52m by car · MA → CT → NY → NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | MA → CT → NY → NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 95, I 84 |
| Major cities en route | Brockton, Cambridge, Lowell, Providence, Worcester |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Boston | Newark | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.266 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.768 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.651 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.424 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Boston and Newark sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $798,217 in Boston to $478,455 in Newark, a 4.0% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Boston -0.4%, Newark -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Boston | Newark |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 55°F |
| January avg low | 23°F | 25°F |
| July avg high | 82°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.2" | 28.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 43.6" | 50.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 51.9°F vs 54.8°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Newark sees 28.2 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BOSTON LOGAN INTL AP, MA US, HARRISON, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Boston | Newark |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | 307,188 |
| Median household income | $94,755 | $48,416 |
| Median age | 33.2 | 34.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.5% | 12.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.38 | 2.7 |
Newark households earn about 4.0% less than Boston at the median — $94,755 → $48,416 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Newark MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 1,165,200 | $50,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 806,590 | $46,160 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 755,900 | $44,800 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 755,280 | $37,670 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 725,930 | $100,940 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Massachusetts and New Jersey
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check New Jersey's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter — check 511NY.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Newark averages 28.2 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Pack rain gear on top: Newark averages 50.4 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in New Jersey after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Newark compared to Boston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $478,455 in Newark vs $798,217 in Boston — a 40.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Boston vs Newark?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,416 in Newark vs $94,755 in Boston — a 48.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Newark more expensive than Boston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Newark is 4.0% higher than Boston (112.563 vs 108.266, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Newark, NJ from Boston, MA?
The driving distance is 225 mi and the route typically takes 4h 52m via I 90 and I 95. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Boston to Newark?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 225 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Boston and Newark?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 54.8°F in Newark vs 51.9°F in Boston (2.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 28.2 in vs 49.2 in. Annual precipitation: 50.4 in vs 43.6 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Boston.
City profiles: Boston, MA · Newark, NJ.