Factors affecting the cost of moving from NJ to CTtoggle

There are many factors that influence New Jersey moving costs. The cost to move from New Jersey to Connecticut will depend on these factors:

  • Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
  • Time of year: The peak moving season in New Jersey is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.

What to know before moving from NJ to CT

If you’re moving to Connecticut from New Jersey, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.

Cost of living: New Jersey vs. Connecticut

New Jersey Connecticut
Average rent cost $1,368 $1,374
Average home cost $534,773 $405,595
Average income (per capita) $97,126 $90,213
Cost of Living Index 114 100
Unemployment rate 4.7% 3.0%
Average Sales Tax 6.6% 6.35%
State Income Tax 10.7% 3.0%
  • Rent is about the same cost in Connecticut and New Jersey.
  • Home prices are about 24% lower in Connecticut than in New Jersey.
  • The average income is about 7% lower in Connecticut than in New Jersey.
  • Cost of living is 12% lower in Connecticut than in New Jersey.
  • Connecticut has a lower unemployment rate than New Jersey by about 36%.
  • Sales taxes are 4% lower in Connecticut than in New Jersey.
  • Income taxes are 72% lower in Connecticut than in New Jersey.

How life is different in Connecticut vs. New Jersey

Connecticut New Jersey
Population 3,617,176 9,290,841
Political leaning Democratic 56-44 Democratic 52-46.1
Summer high 83ºF 85ºF
Winter low 18ºF 22ºF
Annual rain 50" 48"
Annual snow 37" 23"
Crime index 16.44 16.2
  • The population of Connecticut is approximately 61% lower than the population of New Jersey.
  • In the last presidential election, Connecticut voted Democratic and New Jersey voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in Connecticut is 83ºF and in New Jersey, it’s 85ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Connecticut reaches the temperature of 18ºF and New Jersey gets down to 22ºF.
  • You can expect about 50 inches of annual rainfall in Connecticut versus 48 inches of rainfall in New Jersey.
  • In Connecticut, it snows about 37 inches annually versus 23 inches of snow in New Jersey.
  • Connecticut has a higher crime rate than New Jersey with a crime index of 16.44 vs. 16.2.

Comparing the pros of New Jersey vs. Connecticut

Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in Connecticut compared to New Jersey.

Pros of living in New Jersey Pros of living in Connecticut
Bountiful recreational opportunities Natural beauty
Diversity Bountiful recreational opportunities
World-class entertainment Diverse lifestyle options
Leading education Great outdoor environment
Superb health care Amiable small communities

Comparing the cons of living in New Jersey vs. Connecticut

Everything can’t be sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving New Jersey for Connecticut.

Cons of living in New Jersey Cons of living in Connecticut
Extreme weather High cost of living
Congested population Tough winter weather
High cost of living Bad traffic
High tax burden Heavy tax burdens
Terrible traffic Low job opportunity

Other things to consider for your New Jersey to Connecticut movetoggle

  • Weather: Connecticut has decent weather, is familiar to any east coast native. In the North, there tend to be cold winters with moderate snowfall and hot, humid summers. In the South, there are cool winters with a mix of rain and infrequent snow, and hot humid summers.
  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
  • Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
  • State licensing: The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CDOT) regulates in-state moving companies and taxi, trucking, and bus companies. In addition, customers are also protected from scam movers by regulations set forth by the Connecticut State Department of Consumer Protection. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Connecticut moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Connecticut does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to Connecticut. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers. Opting for Released Value Protection is a budget-friendly choice, as it comes at no extra cost from movers, although it provides minimal coverage. Under this option, the mover's liability is limited to a maximum of 60 cents per pound per article. If your belongings are valuable and you seek coverage beyond this limited protection, it's recommended to discuss alternative options with your chosen moving company or explore third-party insurance providers.
  • Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Things to do in Connecticuttoggle

While you’re in Connecticut, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:

  • Mystic Seaport
  • Historic Ship Nautilus & Submarine Force Museum
  • Lake Compounce Amusement Park
  • Beardsley Zoo
  • Hammonasset Beach State Park
  • Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration
  • Dinosaur State Park and Arboretum
  • Gillette Castle State Park
  • The Mark Twain House & Museum
  • Yale University Art Gallery
  • Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art
  • Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center
  • New England Air Museum
  • Roseland Cottage
  • The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum
  • The Glass House
  • Essex Steam Train & Riverboat
  • Mohegan Sun
  • Hill-Stead Museum
  • Rocky Neck State Park
  • New Britain Museum of American Art
  • Stamford Museum & Nature Center
  • Shore Line Trolley Museum
  • Studio 80 + Sculpture Grounds
  • Ocean Beach Park

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to move from New Jersey to Connecticut?toggle

Hiring a full-service New Jersey moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually the cheaper way to go, but requires more work. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.

Do movers transport your car from New Jersey to Connecticut?toggle

Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee. But you can also handle vehicle transport from New Jersey to Connecticut separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

What are the benefits of moving from New Jersey to Connecticut?toggle

The main reasons people are moving from New Jersey to Connecticut are the amazing upsides of living in Connecticut such as natural beauty and bountiful recreational opportunities.

Is it cheaper to live in New Jersey or Connecticut?toggle

It is generally cheaper to live in Connecticut than in New Jersey. Housing is much more affordable in Connecticut, with average rent about 0% less and home prices 24.2% lower than in New Jersey. Taxes are also lower in Connecticut, most notably income taxes, which are more than 70% less than those paid by New Jersey residents.

How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Connecticut?toggle

You should make approximately $51,120 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Connecticut. The cost of living in Connecticut is approximately $2,911 per month for an individual and $6,352 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Connecticut you live For example, larger cities like Waterbury and Bridgeport will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

Helpful moving resources