Car Insurance Comparison: New Jersey vs. California

Moving from New Jersey to California? Remember to update your car insurance.

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By Ross Martin

Updated July 16, 2025

Edited By Kristine Lee

Comparing auto insurance in New Jersey and California

If you're relocating from New Jersey to California, you might be focusing on the major concerns and expenses: contracting a reliable moving company, securing a new apartment or house in your new state, and physically moving across state lines.

Amid all the stress, it can be easy to forget the details. Car insurance coverage is one of these details, but it's an important one. To remain on the right side of the law, you’ll need to update your insurance policy — or purchase a new policy — when you move from one state to another.

Read our guide to car insurance in New Jersey and California to better understand the steps you should take to ensure your interstate move goes smoothly. We'll cover:

Insurance cost comparison
Insurance rates by coverage level
Affordable companies by state
Rates in major cities
Additional resources

Is car insurance cheaper in New Jersey or California?

Expect to pay less for auto insurance in your new home. The usual annual car insurance rate in California is $144 more affordable than the average cost in the state of New Jersey. The precise cost will depend on your coverage choice, insurance history, and your choice of insurer.

AUTO INSURANCE PREMIUMS IN NEW JERSEY VS. CALIFORNIA

State	Average Annual Price
New Jersey	$1,850
California	$1,707

Auto insurance costs by coverage level

How much you can expect to pay for an auto policy depends on your chosen coverage level and what degree of protection you want your insurer to provide.

If you select state minimum liability auto insurance coverage, you will carry bodily injury, medical payment, and property damage liability coverages, along with uninsured and underinsured driver coverage and personal injury protection (PIP) in some states.

CAR INSURANCE RATES — MINIMUM COVERAGE IN NEW JERSEY vs. CALIFORNIA

State	Time Period	Cost
New Jersey	Annual	$881
California	Annual	$573
New Jersey	6-Month	$440
California	6-Month	$286
New Jersey	Monthly	$73
California	Monthly	$48

Choosing full-coverage auto insurance incurs further costs, but you'll receive collision and comprehensive coverages, along with extras like rental reimbursement and roadside assistance. The primary benefit of full coverage is that it insures you and your vehicle more comprehensively than does minimum liability coverage. If you want to do everything possible to protect your investment in your vehicle, full coverage could be the way to go.

CAR INSURANCE RATES — FULL COVERAGE IN NEW JERSEY vs. CALIFORNIA

Location	Period	Cost
New Jersey	Annual	$1,679
California	Annual	$1,626
New Jersey	6-Month	$840
California	6-Month	$813
New Jersey	Monthly	$140
California	Monthly	$135

Inexpensive car insurance companies in New Jersey and California

A primary determinant of your auto insurance costs is the insurer you choose. Car insurance companies assign premiums in a variety of ways, leading to substantial variations in pricing. Location also matters: some car insurance companies only sell policies within limited geographic windows, while bigger insurance companies' rates differ by state.

When swapping states, it’s important to locate the best cheap auto insurance company offering policies in your new state. Get started below by viewing the five most affordable car insurance companies in New Jersey and California.

AFFORDABLE CAR INSURANCE COMPANIES IN NEW JERSEY

Insurer	Average Annual Rate
21st Century	$1,089
Travelers	$1,168
New Jersey Manufacturers	$1,284
Penn National	$1,352
Palisades	$1,368

See additional cheap auto insurance companies in New Jersey.

AFFORDABLE CAR INSURANCE COMPANIES IN CALIFORNIA

Car Insurance Company	Average Annual Rate
USAA	$1,132
Wawanesa	$1,169
Century National	$1,202
CSAA	$1,210
Nationwide	$1,238

View more cheap auto insurance companies in California.

Car insurance rates by city in New Jersey and California

Although car insurance is regulated at the state level, underwriters assign rates by ZIP code to adjust for local factors such as population density and number of insurance claims. The location to which you move plays a major role in deciding your premiums.

See below auto insurance rates in major cities in California and New Jersey.

AUTO INSURANCE PRICES BY CITY IN NEW JERSEY

City	Average Annual Rate
Newark	$2,547
Jersey City	$2,299
Paterson	$2,424
Elizabeth	$2,422
Toms River	$1,708

Check out a more comprehensive list of New Jersey cities.

AUTO INSURANCE PREMIUMS BY CITY IN CALIFORNIA

City	Average Annual Rate
Los Angeles	$2,125
San Diego	$1,354
San Jose	$1,409
San Francisco	$1,728
Fresno	$1,487

Looking for another city's data? View rates in other California cities.

More information on relocating from New Jersey to California

When you move from New Jersey to California, you'll face unfamiliar driving laws, different FR-44 or SR-22 requirements, and more. Ensure your move is as easy as possible with our data on your new state:

About The Zebra

The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.

The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
The Zebra’s insurance editorial content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.