Moving to Connecticut? 2023 Living Costs & Relocation Tips

Connecticut is the third-smallest state by land area, and is a state situated in the northeastern region of the United States. It is mostly known for its historic architecture, and picturesque coastal towns and as the birthplace of the American insurance industry.

If you are considering moving to Connecticut, the various costs listed below will help you make an informed decision on what costs are involved.

Quick Connecticut Facts:

1. Population: 3.606 million (2021)
2. Official Language: English
3. GDP Per Capita: $71,315 (2023)
4. Random Fact: The Hartford Courant is the oldest continually published newspaper in the United States 
5. Currency: US Dollar (US$). As of early 2023, £1 = $1.20, €1 = $1.07, $1 CAD = $0.74, $1 AUD = $0.68 

1. Moving and Shipping Costs to Connecticut

State	Estimated Moving Cost to Connecticut
California	USD 3,500 – 6,000
Texas	USD 3,000 – 5,500
Florida	USD 2,500 – 5,000
New York	USD 1,000 – 2,500
Pennsylvania	USD 1,500 – 3,000
Illinois	USD 2,500 – 4,500
Ohio	USD 2,000 – 4,000
Georgia	USD 2,500 – 4,500
North Carolina	USD 2,000 – 4,000
Michigan	USD 2,000 – 4,000

These estimates are approximate and can vary based on specific requirements and services needed. For precise quotes, it’s best to contact moving companies directly. ​

2. Connecticut Housing Costs

The cost of rental and house purchase prices in Connecticut can vary significantly depending on the location. In general, properties located in downtown areas or in larger cities such as Hartford or New Haven tend to be more expensive than properties located in suburban or rural areas.

Monthly Rental Prices in Connecticut:

• 1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: $1,925+
• 1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: $1,500+
• 3 bedroom flat in City Centre: $3,500+
• 3 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: $2,550+ 

Connecticut Home Purchase Prices:

• Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: $3,750+
• Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside City: $2,400+

Connecticut Housing Cost Comparison:

This is how rents in Connecticut compare with other cities around the globe.

• London is 22.1% more expensive
• New York is 46.3% more expensive
• Los Angeles is 25.9% more expensive
• Toronto is 8.8% cheaper
• Sydney is 5.7% more expensive
• Paris is 23.1% cheaper 
• Dubai is 10.2% cheaper

Source: Numbeo

How to Save on Housing Costs:

• Share a Flat or House: Sharing a house or a flat is a way to save on living expenses. You may have to share a bathroom but you will save at the end of the day. A cheaper option is to share a room. Have a look at the following site to find your perfect room or flatmate: Spare Room and Roomster.
• Different Areas – Different Prices: To give you an idea of the price difference between downtown areas and suburban/rural areas in Connecticut, the median home value in Hartford, the state’s capital and largest city, is around $147,000, while the median home value in the affluent suburban town of Greenwich is around $1.8 million. Similarly, the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in downtown New Haven is around $1,700, while the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in a suburban area such as Branford is around $1,200.
  

3. Connecticut Food, Grocery and Restaurant Costs

Connecticut’s food scene is diverse and features a variety of cuisines influenced by its proximity to New York City and its coastal location. Some famous foods to be aware of include New Haven-style pizza, steamed cheeseburgers, and lobster rolls, which can be found in many seafood shacks and restaurants along the Connecticut coast. Additionally, Connecticut has a thriving craft beer scene, with many local breweries and taprooms offering unique and innovative brews.

• Inexpensive Restaurant: $25.00
•  Takeout Coffee: $4.50
•  Bottle of Coke: $2.75
•  1L of Milk: $1.30
•  Loaf of Bread: $4.00
•  12 Eggs: $5.25
•  1kg Chicken: $16.50
•  1kg Beef: $14.00
•  1kg Apples: $5.80
•  1kg White Rice: $6.50

This is how restaurants and food prices compare with other major cities in the world.

• London restaurants are 9.3% cheaper and groceries are 53.4% cheaper than Connecticut.
• New York restaurants are 6.4% more expensive and groceries are 11.2% more expensive than Connecticut.
• Los Angeles restaurants are 0.2% more expensive and groceries are 12.7% cheaper than Connecticut. 
• Toronto restaurants are 23.9% cheaper and groceries are 28.6% cheaper than Connecticut.
• Sydney restaurants are 25% cheaper and groceries are 12.6% cheaper than Connecticut. 
• Paris restaurants are 31.2% cheaper and groceries are 14.5% cheaper than Connecticut.
• Dubai restaurants are 30.8% cheaper and groceries are 80.6% cheaper than Connecticut. 

Source: Numbeo

Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants and Groceries:

• Know Your Supermarkets: Connecticut has a strong agricultural tradition, and as such, farmers’ markets are plentiful throughout the state, particularly during the summer months. The range of supermarkets in Connecticut varies from large national chains such as Walmart and Stop & Shop, to more upscale options like Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s, with prices varying accordingly.
• Find Cheap Eats: Connecticut has a good selection of restaurants which offer food at affordable prices. Have a look at Trip Advisor and CT Insider.

4. Connecticut Alcohol Costs

Connecticut, like all cities in the United States, has plenty of bars and clubs to choose from, whether you want a quick beer after work or a cocktail before dinner.

• Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: $4.00
• Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: $6.00
• Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a supermarket: $2.85
• Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: $3.25
• Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: $10.00

How To Drink For Less in Connecticut:

• Keep an eye on the local papers and websites for specials over weekends and public holidays.
• Take a look at Yelp and Experience Hartford.

5. Connecticut Transportation Fares

Public transportation options in Connecticut include buses, trains, and a few light rail systems, but are not as extensive as in larger metropolitan areas like New York City. The state’s public transportation system is primarily designed to connect residents with the major cities in the region, such as Hartford and New Haven, and to provide access to nearby New York and Boston.

Here are some sample ticket costs:

• Adult single – $3.00
• One-day ticket – $5.00
• Monthly season ticket, unlimited – $40.00

How To Save Money on Public Transport:

• Buy a bike. Depending on where you live and work, cycling around the city is certainly a viable option.
• Walk. If you live relatively close to where you work, you can walk to work.

6. Cost of Internet in Connecticut

Internet prices in the States are expensive compared with many other countries in the world. Here are some sample broadband internet prices from early 2023 for unlimited downloads, based on a 12-month contract:

• Sprint: $50 a month (Unlimited high speed except for streaming gaming up to 8mb)
• AT & T: $20 a month (50mb fibre)
• Verizon: $80 a month 

7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym and Leisure

Here are some clothing prices, together with other useful prices.

• Pair of Jeans: $46.00
• Summer Dress: $52.00
• Running Shoes (Trainers): $85.00
• Business Shoes: $150.00
• Short Doctor’s Visit (15 mins): $100.00
• Deodorant: $5.00
• Shampoo: $4.00
• Toilet Paper (4 rolls): $4.50
• Gym Membership: $25.00
• Movie (cinema) Ticket: $31.50

Source: Numbeo, Expatistan

8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in Connecticut

Everyone in the US drives on the right. Many people use their cars for work in Connecticut. The rush hour is nowhere near as long as bad as other cities around the world. If you’re moving to Connecticut from within the US, you’ll be able to keep your license but need to update your address to your new one.

You can drive on a foreign license for up to 12 months as a tourist but after that, you will need to get an American license. If you are working or studying in the US, you can drive on your foreign license for 30 days. If you want to exchange your foreign driver’s license you have to follow the process here. 

Here are some other sample costs of owning and operating a car in Connecticut:

• Volkswagen Golf: $25,000+
• 1 litre (¼ gallon) of Gas (petrol): $1.10

Source: Numbeo, Expatistan

Ways To Save Money on Driving in Connecticut:

• Car sharing or pooling is one way to save money. Try Carpool World.
• Taxis can sometimes be a cheaper option, especially if you are going to have to park all day. Try Uber or Lyft.

9. Taxes in Connecticut

No matter where you live in the State, you will pay federal tax. To learn more about the different taxes in the States go to Immihelp and USA taxes.

The sales tax rate in Connecticut is 6.35%, which is applied to most retail sales of tangible goods and some services. However, the state has additional taxes on certain goods, such as a 9% tax on hotel rooms and a 7.75% tax on rental cars. Additionally, some municipalities in Connecticut have their own local sales taxes, which can range from 0.25% to 1%.

Whether you own or rent your home, you will be subject to property tax based on the area in which you live and the size of the property you live in. Learn more about property tax in Fresno at Property Tax.

Finally, if you decide to buy a flat or house in Connecticut you’ll have to pay real estate transfer tax.  

10. Flight Costs from Connecticut

If you do make the move to Connecticut, here’s approximately how much it will cost to fly to other major world cities based on the lowest, one-way fares from Skyscanner as of early 2023:

• London: $350
• New York: $140
• Los Angeles: $130
• Toronto: $200
• Vancouver: $200
• Dubai: $1,000
• Sydney: $680
• Melbourne: $820
• Cape Town: $980
• Hong Kong: $1,300

Other Tips on Moving to Connecticut:

The costs and pricing above should give you a good idea of the cost of living in Connecticut but perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.

11. Moving to Connecticut Alone

Moving anywhere can be a lonely experience, but moving to a new city can be especially daunting. Here are a few tips about settling in Connecticut.

• Meetups: There are many Meetup groups to choose from. You will definitely find something to join which will help you to settle in.
• Attend Local Events: Connecticut always has something going on. Have a look at Visit CT.

12. Moving to Connecticut with a Family

Connecticut is generally considered to be a family-friendly location, with many good schools and a high standard of living. However, like any location, there are areas with higher crime rates than others. According to recent crime statistics, Connecticut has a slightly higher crime rate than the national average, with property crime being more common than violent crime. However, many areas of Connecticut are considered safe and have lower crime rates. 

• New Parents (or parents to be): There are free and paid antenatal classes and courses. Have a look at Hartford Healthcare.
• Live in a Family-friendly Area: Connecticut has many family-friendly areas to live in, and the best area for families depends on individual preferences and priorities. Some popular family-friendly areas in Connecticut include Fairfield, West Hartford, Glastonbury, and Ridgefield. 
• Find Things To Do With The Kids: There are many activities for families living in Connecticut. Have a look at the following sites to be inspired – Trip Advisor.

13. Moving to Connecticut for Work

While it is possible to move to Connecticut without a job, it makes sense to ensure there are jobs in your field before you make the move. Connecticut has a diverse economy, with major industries including finance, insurance, healthcare, and manufacturing.

The state’s unemployment rate as of March 2023 is 3.3%, which is lower than the national average and reflective of a relatively strong job market.

Here are a few things to consider when moving for work:

• Salary: Salaries vary enormously depending on which industry you are in. The costs we outlined above should give you a rough idea of how much more you’ll want to make the move worthwhile. You can also check salary ranges on sites such as Payscale.
• How To Find Work: If you want to have a job lined up before you move to Fresno, but aren’t sure where to begin, the following sites are good places to start: CT Jobs and Indeed. You may also want to Google recruiters in your industry, as they can often help land you some initial interviews as well.

14. Moving to Connecticut from Australia

There’s a small group of Australians living and working in Connecticut, if you are thinking of joining them, here are a few things to consider.

• Size Comparison: In Australia, Connecticut is roughly the same size as the city of Geelong or the town of Bunbury.
• Join Expat Groups: Start your own Australian Meetup group.

15. Moving to Connecticut from Canada

There’s a small group of Canadians living in Connecticut. If you’re considering making the move from Canada here are a few things to consider.

• Size: In Canada, Connecticut is roughly the same size as the province of Prince Edward Island or the city of Hamilton.
• Expat Groups: Meeting up with fellow Canadians helps the moving process.  Start a Canadian Meetup group.

16. Moving to Connecticut from the United Kingdom

There’s a small number of Brits living in Connecticut. If you are thinking of making the move from the UK to join them, then here are a few things to consider.

• Size: In the UK, Connecticut is roughly the same size as the county of Rutland or the city of Bristol.
• Expat Groups: If you want to join up with fellow Brits in Connecticut, then start your own British Meetup group.

Hopefully, the tips and costs above are helpful. If want to get started pricing out how much it will cost you to move to Connecticut you can start by comparing moving quotes here.