California to Connecticut Moving Guide
Updated June 3, 2025

Planning a 2,996 mile interstate move from California to Connecticut? This moving guide will help you compare living in California vs Connecticut across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower living costs), food & health (like Avocado Toast vs Lobster Roll), real estate & housing (modern, spanish vs colonial, cape cod), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in California), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Avocado Toast and Tri-tip, but get your taste buds ready for Lobster Roll & Steamed Cheeseburger
- Connecticut housing costs are 50% less expensive than they are in California
- Rent in Connecticut is 26.85% more affordable than in California
- Moving from California to Connecticut will cost on average between $3,000 - $10,500
- Our top recommended California to Connecticut movers is OCD Moving Services LLC
California to Connecticut Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from California to Connecticut
- High cost of living
- Wildfires
- Severe droughts
- Heavy traffic
- Air pollution
- Lower living costs
- Less natural disasters
- Abundant water resources
- Quieter roads
- Cleaner air
- Less urban nightlife
- Limited cultural events
- Harsh winters
- Fewer career options
- Vibrant cities
- Cultural diversity
- Mild winter weather
- Numerous job opportunities
Pros of moving from California to Connecticut
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to lower living costs
- Look forward to moving away from wildfires and moving to Connecticut with fewer natural disasters
- Swap the severe droughts of California for abundant water resources in Connecticut
- Get ready for quieter roads in Connecticut
Cons of moving from California to Connecticut
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the vibrant cities in California to live with less urban nightlife in Connecticut
- You'll lose out on the pro of cultural diversity and have to settle for the con of limited cultural events
- Time to bid farewell to mild winter weather and get used to harsh winters in Connecticut
- Swap numerous job opportunities for fewer career options
California vs. Connecticut: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | California | Connecticut |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Avocado Toast | Lobster Roll |
Most popular meat dish | Tri-tip | Steamed Cheeseburger |
Most popular street food item | Fish Tacos | Apizza |
Most popular vegan food | Vegan Burrito | Vegan Pizza |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
If you're moving from California to Connecticut, you will be trading the iconic Avocado Toast of California for the equally delicious Lobster Roll of Connecticut. And while the locals in California rave about their flavorful Tri-tip and sumptuous Fish Tacos, Connecticut residents know they have tasty Steamed Cheeseburger and Apizza to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Burrito they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Pizza of Connecticut. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic California eateries like The Cheeseboard, Nopa, and Animal. After the boxes are unpacked in Connecticut, don't wait too long before making your way to Connecticut's acclaimed eateries like Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, Louis' Lunch, and Sally's Apizza.
When comparing lifestyles, Connecticut shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than California. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Connecticut compared to what you are used to in California. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Connecticut.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between California and Connecticut
Comparison | California | Connecticut |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Modern, Spanish | Colonial, Cape Cod |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Outdoor spaces, Smart Home Features | Historic Details, Proximity to Nature |
- The Modern and Spanish architecture that California is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cape Cod architecture typical of Connecticut.
- Compared to California's real estate listings, which commonly reference outdoor spaces and smart home features, Connecticut real estate listings often highlight features like historic details and proximity to nature.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Connecticut is less walkable than California.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Connecticut is less bike-friendly than California.
- Connecticut has less of an urban feel than California.
- Connecticut housing costs are 50% less expensive than they are in California, with a median home price of $393,802 compared to Californiaβs $783,666.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Connecticut have increased by 55% compared to a 42% increase in California.
- Rent in Connecticut is 26.85% more affordable than in California.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between California and Connecticut
Comparison | California | Connecticut |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Earthquakes, Wildfires | Blizzards, Hurricanes |
Air Quality | Variable, often moderate | Generally good, with seasonal variations |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 55Β°F | 82Β°F / 62Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 60Β°F / 45Β°F | 35Β°F / 18Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 22 | 50 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0-200 (depending on region) | 40 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from California to Connecticut. Connecticut gets 30% fewer sunshine days than California.
- Connecticut has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to California.
- Say goodbye to the possible earthquakes and wildfires in California, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and hurricanes in Connecticut.
- The average summer high temperature in Connecticut is 3 degrees colder than in California.
- The average winter lows are 27 degrees colder than they are in California.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Connecticut. Connecticut receives 28 more inches of rain compared to California.
Financial & Community Snapshot: California and Connecticut
Comparison | California | Connecticut |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $91,551 | $88,429 |
Cost of Living Index | 136.4 | 122.1 |
State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5.5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.76% | 1.97% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.25% | 6.35% |
Top 3 Industries | Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture | Finance, Insurance, Real Estate |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | High | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Connecticut tend to earn about 3% less than in California
- The COLI in Connecticut is 10% lower than what you are used to living in California
- The state income tax in CT is 5.5% compared to 9.3% in CA
- The affluence in Connecticut is moderate compared to high in California
- The poverty level is low in Connecticut compared to moderate in California
- In terms of homelessness, it is high in California and low in Connecticut
Political and Religious Climate in California vs. Connecticut
Comparison | California | Connecticut |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Largely Democratic | Primarily Democratic |
Local Politics | Progressive urban centers with conservative rural areas | Liberal in cities, mixed in suburban and rural areas |
Religion | Pluralistic, with Christianity being major but a notable presence of other religions | Primarily Christian, but with a diverse array of faith groups |
- California tends to lean largely Democratic in its political climate
- Connecticut, on the other hand, is often described as primarily Democratic
- Connecticut's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian but with a diverse array of faith groups
- California's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as pluralistic with Christianity being major but a notable presence of other religions
Education Guide When Moving from California to Connecticut
Comparison | California | Connecticut |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | UCLA UC Berkeley Stanford | Yale University University of Connecticut Wesleyan University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Orion Academy (Moraga) Mill Valley Middle School (Mill Valley) Hawthorne Elementary (Beverly Hills) | International School At Dundee (Greenwich) North Mianus School (Riverside) Riverside School (Greenwich) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Mill Valley Middle School (Mill Valley) Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School (Moraga) Redwood Middle School (Saratoga) | Eastern Middle School (Riverside) Middlesex Middle School (Darien) Tomlinson Middle School (Fairfield) |
Top 3 High Schools | Henry M. Gunn High School (Palo Alto) California Academy of Mathematics and Science (Carson) Troy High School (Fullerton) | Connecticut IB Academy (East Hartford) Darien High School (Darien) Conard High School (West Hartford) |
Top 3 private high schools | Harvard-Westlake School (Los Angeles) The Thacher School (Ojai) The Webb Schools (Claremont) | Choate Rosemary Hall (Wallingford) The Hotchkiss School (Lakeville) Greenwich Academy (Greenwich) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Harvard-Westlake School (Los Angeles) The Thacher School (Ojai) The Webb Schools (Claremont) | The Brunswick School (Greenwich) Greens Farms Academy (Westport) The Marvelwood School (Kent) |
Top 3 School Districts | Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union High School District (Los Gatos) Palo Alto Unified School District (Palo Alto) San Marino Unified School District (San Marino) | Westport School District (Westport) New Canaan School District (New Canaan) Darien School District (Darien) |
How Much Do California to Connecticut Movers Cost?
Moving 2,996 miles from California to Connecticut will typically cost between $4,500 and $10,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $4,500 - $10,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-8 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: CC Relocation, Inc.
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,901 | 300 ft3 | $9.67 |
1 Bedroom | $4,329 | 450 ft3 | $9.62 |
2 Bedrooms | $7,178 | 750 ft3 | $9.57 |
3 Bedrooms | $10,472 | 1100 ft3 | $9.52 |
4 Bedrooms | $15,152 | 1600 ft3 | $9.47 |
5+ Bedrooms | $16,956 | 1800 ft3 | $9.42 |
Top California to Connecticut Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best California to Connecticut movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

OCD Moving Services LLC
Best moving company overall for California to Connecticut