Moving to Connecticut: Pros and Cons in 2025
If you’re thinking about moving to Connecticut, you’re not alone. The Constitution State atttacts newcomers for good reason! With bustling metropolitan areas like Waterbury and quiet rural towns, there’s a place to match your desired pace of life.
As much as there is to love about Connecticut, it’s smart to weigh the good and the not-so-good before you buy a new home and pack up your belongings.
Here, we’ll walk you through what you need to know about moving to Connecticut to help you decide if it’s the right fit for you.
Jump to the Connecticut information you are looking for:
Pros & cons of living in Connecticut
Like any big move, relocating to Connecticut comes with its own upsides and potential downsides that are important to consider.
Here’s a look at some of the biggest pros and cons of living in the Constitution State to help you make an informed decision.
Pros of living in CT
- ✓Natural beauty
- ✓Bountiful recreational opportunities
- ✓Diverse lifestyle options
- ✓Great outdoor environment
- ✓Amiable small communities
Cons of living in CT
- ✖High cost of living
- ✖Tough winter weather
- ✖Bad traffic
- ✖Heavy tax burdens
- ✖Low job opportunity
Things to do in Connecticut
Whether you’re moving to Connecticut work, family, or just a fresh start, you’ll want to get the most out of your new home state — and that includes finding fun things to do. The good news is that, no matter your interests, Connecticut has lots of fun places to explore and things to do.
You can visit these places with your family or use them to meet new people if you’re alone. With so many choices, you’re sure to find something that suits you and makes you feel comfortable.
Popular Attractions in Connecticut
- 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
Museums in Connecticut
- Mystic Seaport Museum
- The Mark Twain House & Museum
- Yale University Art Gallery
- Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center
- Stamford Museum & Nature Center
- Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art
- The Submarine Force Museum
- Stepping Stones Museum for Children
- Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History
- Bruce Museum
Parks in Connecticut
- Cove Island Park
- Tarrywile Park & Mansion
- Seaside Park
- Elizabeth Park
- Ocean Beach Park
- Gillette Castle State Park
- Wickham Park
- Mianus River Park
- Hubbard Park
- East Rock Park
Fun facts about Connecticut
Each state has a unique character molded by its history, culture, and residents. Learning about its small details and quirky traditions helps you understand what life there is truly like.
These fun facts about Connecticut, will give you a glimpse at what makes the state unique, and may even give you a few more reasons to make the move.
- The word “Connecticut” is derived from the Native American word quinetucket, meaning “besides the long, tidal river”
- Arriving in 1614, the first settlers in the state were the Dutchmen. The Dutch were fur traders who built a fort near present-day Hartford.
- In 1901, the first law regulating the speed of a motor vehicle was imposed in Connecticut. Initially, the law restricted the drivers not to exceed 12 mph.
- Connecticut is home of Samuel Colt, the inventor of the revolver. Connecticut was a leading manufacturer of guns and other arms.
- Connecticut was once known as the “Arsenal of the Nation.” The nickname mainly originates from the fact that during the 19th and 20th century, the state was home to many companies that manufactured firearms.
- The Scoville Memorial Library in Connecticut is the oldest publicly funded library in the U.S. It was established in 1771 by a local man named Richard Smith.
- In 1937, Connecticut became the first state to issue permanent license plates to cars.
- Hartford, the state’s capital is called the “Insurance Capital of the World”. In 1898, the first car insurance in America was issued at Hartford.
- Connecticut has the highest personal income per capita (more than $70,000) in the country.
- Between 1701 and 1874, the state had two capitals, New Haven and Hartford.[
Connecticut population and demographics
While you’re thinking about relocating to Connecticut, it’s important to look beyond facts and figures to get to the story they tell about the Constitution State.
A state with more people might have more jobs, entertainment, and better infrastructure. On the other hand, a state with fewer people could mean a quieter lifestyle and close-knit communities.
Average education levels show the availability of job opportunities or access to local schools and colleges. Political breakdowns may indicate a state’s values and priorities.
Understanding who lives in Connecticut, how they live, and what they value can make it much easier to decide if it’s the kind of place where you’d feel comfortable and connected.
| Metric | Connecticut |
|---|---|
| Population | 3,617,176 |
| Female | 51% |
| Male | 49% |
| College graduation rate | 42.13% |
| Political leaning | Democratic 56-44 |
| Crime index | 16.44 |
Connecticut weather
Climate plays a huge role in shaping your day-to-day life, so it’s an important factor to consider when deciding whether Connecticut is right for you. Looking at seasonal highs and lows and average rain and snowfall can help you imagine how much time you’ll be spending outdoors, preparing for storms, and adjusting to temperature extremes.
Summer highs can influence your energy bills and how much time you spend away from the AC. Winter lows determine the type of wardrobe and heating system you’ll need. Annual snowfall can range from light flurries to major storms that affect travel and daily life.
Whether you love sunshine, prefer cooler temps, or want to avoid snow altogether, knowing the climate can help you decide if Connecticut aligns with your lifestyle and comfort level.
| Metric | Connecticut |
|---|---|
| Summer high | 83ºF |
| Winter low | 18ºF |
| Annual rain | 50″ |
| Annual snow | 37″ |
Income and cost of living in Connecticut
A look at major industries, average income, housing costs, and the overall cost of living gives you a clearer picture of how affordable and sustainable life will likely be in Connecticut.
Knowing which industries boost the economy can help you evaluate job prospects in your field or foresee job market stability. If you’re thinking about renting or buying a home, housing costs are probably a major factor when deciding whether to move.
The cost of living index shows how much your money is worth compared to the national average. A lower index usually means daily expenses such as groceries, transportation, and housing are cheaper.
These numbers are more than just statistics. They’re practical tools that help you compare your current lifestyle to what’s possible in Connecticut and make a confident, informed decision about your move.
The main economic industries in the state include:
- Real estate and rental and leasing ($40 billion)
- Finance and insurance ($37.7 billion)
- Professional and business services ($33.7 billion)
- Manufacturing ($29.7 billion)
- Educational services, health care, and social assistance ($28.6 billion)
- Wholesale trade ($17.7 billion)
- Retail trade ($13.8 billion)
- Information ($13.6 billion)
- Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services ($9.4 billion)
- Construction ($8.2 billion)
| Metric | Connecticut |
|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,374 |
| Average home cost | $405,595 |
| Average income (per capita) | $90,213 |
| Cost of living index* | 100 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.0% |
| Average sales tax | Not available |
| State income tax | 3.0% |
*To figure out the cost of living in each state, there’s a 100-point index, known as the cost of living index. This metric starts with a baseline number of 100. States with a number below that are less expensive to live in while states with numbers higher than 100 are more expensive to live in.
Top schools in Connecticut
If education influences your decision to move, a state’s schools reflect its career opportunities and community resources.
Whether you’re planning to go back to school yourself, have kids nearing graduation, or just want to live in a state with strong academic options, it’s worth checking out what Connecticut has to offer.
Here are some of the top schools in Connecticut:
- Yale University
- University of Connecticut
- Quinnipiac University
- Wesleyan University
- Central Connecticut State University
- Trinity College
- Fairfield University
- Connecticut College
- University of Hartford
- Sacred Heart University
- Southern Connecticut State University
- Western Connecticut State University
- University of New Haven
- University of Bridgeport
- Eastern Connecticut State University
Finding the best moving company for your relocation to Connecticut
We’ve reviewed hundreds of moving companies and worked directly with customers to identify the top movers across the country.
If you’re planning on moving to the Constitution State, here are the best moving companies to help you transport your belongings to your new home wherever you are headed from.
- Alabama to CT
- Arkansas to CT
- Arizona to CT
- California to CT
- Colorado to CT
- Delaware to CT
- Florida to CT
- Georgia to CT
- Iowa to CT
- Idaho to CT
- Illinois to CT
- Indiana to CT
- Kansas to CT
- Kentucky to CT
- Louisiana to CT
- Massachusetts to CT
- Maryland to CT
- Maine to CT
- Michigan to CT
- Minnesota to CT
- Missouri to CT
- Mississippi to CT
- Montana to CT
- North Carolina to CT
- North Dakota to CT
- Nebraska to CT
- New Hampshire to CT
- New Jersey to CT
- New Mexico to CT
- Nevada to CT
- New York to CT
- Ohio to CT
- Oklahoma to CT
- Oregon to CT
- Pennsylvania to CT
- Rhode Island to CT
- South Carolina to CT
- South Dakota to CT
- Tennessee to CT
- Texas to CT
- Utah to CT
- Virginia to CT
- Vermont to CT
- Washington to CT
- Wisconsin to CT
- West Virginia to CT
- Wyoming to CT
Cost of moving to Connecticut
Before you take the leap to Connecticut, it’s a good idea to get a handle on moving costs. On average, hiring professional movers will run you about $131 per hour. The total cost depends on how much stuff you have and how far you’re moving. Cross-country moves, for example, will definitely hit your wallet harder than a quick hop across state lines.
The type of move you choose can make a big difference in cost, too.
To keep costs down, choose one of the best moving container companies. You do the packing and loading and they handle the driving for you, so it’s kind of like a middle ground between DIY and full-service.
Want to save even more? The most affordable option is to get a rental truck. With this options, you’ll do all of the heavy lifting, including packing, loading, driving, and unloading.
But if you’d rather not break a sweat, professional interstate movers can do all the work for you. Just keep in mind that this convenience comes at a price. Be sure to get quotes from several different movers to find one that fits your budget and moving needs.
| Company | Quote | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Safeway Moving
|
||
Mayzlin Relocation
|
||
BLVD Moving
|
||
PODS
|
||
American Van Lines
|
Cost to bring your car to Connecticut
Bringing a car with you? Use our car shipping calculator below to estimate how much it’ll cost to transport your vehicle to Connecticut.
Connecticut car insurance requirements
Connecticut drivers license requirements
FAQ
Is it worth it to move to Connecticut?
How much money should I have to move to Connecticut?
What salary do I need to live comfortably in Connecticut?
What is the downside of living in Connecticut?
Connecticut Moving Resources
moveBuddha Migration Reports
With over 400,000 people utilizing our website to help plan their moves, we have up to date, deep insight into the most popular places people are moving to and from right now.
Not what you were looking for?
Check out other categories that can help you find the information you need!
