Car Insurance Comparison: New Jersey vs. North Carolina

Moving from New Jersey to North Carolina? You may need to update your car insurance.

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By Ross Martin

Updated July 17, 2025

Edited By Renata Balasco

Comparing auto insurance in New Jersey and North Carolina

If you’re moving from New Jersey to North Carolina, you might be fixated on the primary concerns and expenses: contracting a reliable long-haul moving company, finding a house or apartment in your new state, and arranging your move across state lines.

Amidst the stress of a move, it can be easy to overlook the details. Auto insurance is just a detail, but it's crucial. To find a good deal and stay street legal, you should plan to update your policy — or find a new insurance company — when you move from one state to another.

Check out our guide to auto insurance in New Jersey versus North Carolina and make your interstate move painless. We'll cover:

Insurance cost comparison
Insurance rates by coverage level
Affordable companies by state
Rates by city
Additional resources

Is auto insurance cheaper in North Carolina or New Jersey?

You should expect to pay less for car insurance in North Carolina than you did in New Jersey. The average annual auto insurance rate in North Carolina is $932 less expensive than the average rate in New Jersey. The precise cost will depend on your coverage choice, insurance history, and your choice of insurance company.

CAR INSURANCE PREMIUMS IN NEW JERSEY AND NORTH CAROLINA

Location	Average Annual Rate
New Jersey	$1,850
North Carolina	$918

Car insurance prices by coverage level

How much you spend on auto insurance depends on your vehicle, your personal driving profile, and how much protection you want out of your policy.

If you opt for state minimum liability car insurance coverage, you will carry bodily injury, property damage liability, and medical payment coverages, in addition to uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and personal injury protection (PIP) in certain states.

AUTO INSURANCE RATES — MINIMUM LIABILITY COVERAGE IN NEW JERSEY vs. NORTH CAROLINA

Location	Time Period	Rate
New Jersey	Annual	$881
North Carolina	Annual	$351
New Jersey	6-Month	$440
North Carolina	6-Month	$176
New Jersey	Monthly	$73
North Carolina	Monthly	$29

Upgrading to full-coverage car insurance will raise your premiums, but you will receive collision and comprehensive coverage levels, along with rental car reimbursement and roadside assistance. The most notable benefit of full coverage is that it covers you and your vehicle more comprehensively than does minimum liability coverage. If you are willing to spend more up front to protect your investment, full coverage could be the way to go.

AUTO INSURANCE RATES FOR FULL COVERAGE IN NEW JERSEY vs. NORTH CAROLINA

Location	Time Period	Cost
New Jersey	Annual	$1,679
North Carolina	Annual	$798
New Jersey	6-Month	$840
North Carolina	6-Month	$399
New Jersey	Monthly	$140
North Carolina	Monthly	$67

Cheap auto insurance companies in New Jersey and North Carolina

A major determinant of your auto insurance costs is the auto insurance company you choose. Car insurance companies set rates in a variety of ways, resulting in major price variations. Location plays a role, too: some companies only sell policies within limited geographic windows, while major insurance companies shift rates by state.

When moving to a new state, it's critical to find the best cheap insurance company in your new location. Get your research started below by viewing the five most affordable auto insurance companies in New Jersey and North Carolina.

CHEAP 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.

CHEAP CAR INSURANCE COMPANIES IN NORTH CAROLINA

Car Insurance Company	Average Annual Rate
Progressive	$645
Utica National	$649
Liberty Mutual	$714
NC Farm Bureau	$723
Penn National	$732

View more cheap auto insurance companies in North Carolina.

Car insurance rates by city in New Jersey and North Carolina

Although car insurance is legislated on a state-by-state level, underwriters assign rates by ZIP code to adjust for unique factors like density and frequency of car crashes. The location to which you relocate plays a big part in deciding your auto insurance rates.

The below tables show auto insurance rates in major cities in North Carolina and New Jersey.

CAR INSURANCE RATES 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 car insurance rates in New Jersey cities.

AUTO INSURANCE RATES BY CITY IN NORTH CAROLINA

City	Average Annual Rate
Charlotte	$824
Raleigh	$752
Greensboro	$771
Winston Salem	$702
Durham	$781

Looking for a different city? View more insurance rates for North Carolina cities.

Additional resources: moving from New Jersey to North Carolina

When you relocate from New Jersey to North Carolina, you’ll encounter unfamiliar driving laws, potentially different SR-22 rules, and more. Ensure your move runs smoothly with our collection of information on your new home:

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.