($1,495) Movers From Charleston, WV to New Haven, CT

What to know before moving from Charleston to New Haven

Moving from Charleston to New Haven comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since New Haven is generally more expensive than Charleston, it’s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in New Haven are 171% higher than in Charleston, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Charleston.
  Home prices in New Haven are 96.0% higher than in Charleston.
• Income in New Haven is 21.9% higher than in Charleston, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in New Haven include ASSA ABLOY Group, ASSA ABLOY Door Security Solutions - US, and Yale New Haven Health.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in New Haven, since the cost of living for a single person in New Haven is 49.4% higher than in Charleston. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to New Haven, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in New Haven is 52.1% higher than in Charleston.
• The unemployment rate in New Haven is 56.45% higher than in Charleston.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in New Haven, since the city’s sales taxes in New Haven are 9.29% lower than in Charleston.
• One perk of moving to New Haven is paying less in state income taxes, which are 53.85% lower than in Charleston.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,481.60 in New Haven to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Charleston.

How life is different in Charleston vs. New Haven

• The population of New Haven is about 181% greater than Charleston, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
• New Haven offers better access to buses and trains than Charleston, based on public transportation ratings. New Haven has a transit score of 7 out of 10 compared to 2 in Charleston. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
• Living in New Haven means you’ll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Charleston. New Haven is considered more walkable than Charleston, with a score of 68 out of 100 versus 33 out of 100 in Charleston. A city’s walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
• If cycling is your thing, New Haven is considered more bike-friendly than Charleston in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. New Haven has a bike-friendliness score of 66 out of 100, while Charleston is rated as 28 out of 100.
• The crime rate in New Haven is higher than in Charleston, so you may want to exercise a little extra caution as you're acclimating to your new location. While the crime index is 58.2 in New Haven, it is 53.94 in Charleston. With this index, the lower the score, the better, since it indicates a city’s crime levels.
• You may want to exercise more caution as you’re getting used to your new surroundings in New Haven. With a crime index of 41.8, New Haven ranks lower in overall safety than Charleston, whose index is Charleston's 46.06. The safety index measures how safe people in a city feel about walking alone, both during the day and at night, as well as data on muggings, theft, vandalism, and other instances of petty crime.
• The air quality in New Haven and Charleston is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.

Other things to consider for your Charleston vs. New Haven move

• Weather: Best months to move to New Haven are June, September and August as these are the best months with tolerable weather. January and February are the least comfortable months as these are the coldest months.
• HOA rules: It’s a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator, it’s a good idea to secure a reservation before your moving day.
• Truck parking permits: To avoid fines or delays, check whether a parking permit is needed for your moving truck.
• 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. Before booking, ensure the moving company is officially licensed to handle your move.
• State regulator: To confirm a moving company’s license in Connecticut, visit the state's public utilities commission
• Moving permits: While Connecticut doesn’t mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your USPS change of address form at least one week before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded to New Haven without delay. You can select your official move date when completing the form. Start the process here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state sets its own rules for what insurance moving companies need to maintain. 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: Our moving checklist gives you the peace of mind that comes with being fully prepared.

Where to live in New Haven

With your sights set on "Elm City", these are some of the most popular neighborhoods to consider in New Haven.

Helpful moving resources