Connecticut to New Jersey Moving Guide
Updated June 3, 2025

Planning a 174 mile interstate move from Connecticut to New Jersey? This moving guide will help you compare living in Connecticut vs New Jersey across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high taxes vs lower taxes), food & health (like Lobster Roll vs Taylor Ham, Egg, and Cheese), real estate & housing (colonial vs victorian and colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in New Jersey), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Lobster Roll and New Haven-style Pizza, but get your taste buds ready for Taylor Ham, Egg, and Cheese & Italian Hot Dog
- New Jersey housing costs are 30% more expensive than they are in Connecticut
- Rent in New Jersey is 22.93% more expensive than in Connecticut
- Moving from Connecticut to New Jersey will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,000
- Our top recommended Connecticut to New Jersey movers is Big G Movers, INC
Top Connecticut to New Jersey Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Connecticut to New Jersey movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Big G Movers, INC
Best moving company overall for Connecticut to New Jersey

Cimply Labor, LLC

Smooth Move & Delivery
Connecticut to New Jersey Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Connecticut to New Jersey
- High taxes
- Limited public transit
- Fewer city amenities
- Cold winters
- Lower taxes
- Better public transit
- Vibrant city life
- Milder winters
- Coastal congestion
- Urban noise levels
- Higher cost of living
- Competitive schools
- Beautiful coastline
- Quieter suburbs
- Rich history
- Strong education system
Pros of moving from Connecticut to New Jersey
- Say goodbye to high taxes and hello to lower taxes
- Look forward to moving away from limited public transit and moving to New Jersey with better public transit
- Swap the fewer city amenities of Connecticut for vibrant city life in New Jersey
- Get ready for milder winters in New Jersey
Cons of moving from Connecticut to New Jersey
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the beautiful coastline in Connecticut to live with coastal congestion in New Jersey
- You'll lose out on the pro of quieter suburbs and have to settle for the con of urban noise levels
- Time to bid farewell to rich history and get used to the higher cost of living in New Jersey
- Swap the strong education system for competitive schools
Connecticut vs. New Jersey: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Connecticut | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Lobster Roll | Taylor Ham, Egg, and Cheese |
Most popular meat dish | New Haven-style Pizza | Italian Hot Dog |
Most popular street food item | Steamed Cheeseburger | Boardwalk Fries |
Most popular vegan food | Kale Salad | Vegan Sloppy Joe |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
|
|
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 Connecticut to New Jersey, you will be trading the iconic Lobster Roll of Connecticut for the equally delicious Taylor Ham, Egg, and Cheese of New Jersey. And while the locals in Connecticut rave about their flavorful New Haven-style Pizza and sumptuous Steamed Cheeseburger, New Jersey residents know they have tasty Italian Hot Dog and Boardwalk Fries to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Kale Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Sloppy Joe of New Jersey. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Connecticut eateries like Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, Sally's Apizza, and Mystic Pizza. After the boxes are unpacked in New Jersey, don't wait too long before making your way to New Jersey's acclaimed eateries like White Manna, Rat's Restaurant, and Dock's Oyster House.
When comparing lifestyles, New Jersey shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Connecticut. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in New Jersey compared to what you are used to in Connecticut. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in New Jersey.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Connecticut and New Jersey
Comparison | Connecticut | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial | Victorian and Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Quiet neighborhoods, spacious yards | Proximity to transit, good schools |
- The Colonial architecture that Connecticut is known for will be replaced with the Victorian and Colonial architecture typical of New Jersey.
- Compared to Connecticut's real estate listings that commonly reference quiet neighborhoods and spacious yards, New Jersey real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to transit and good schools.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; New Jersey is more walkable than Connecticut.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; New Jersey is more bike-friendly than Connecticut.
- New Jersey has more of an urban feel than Connecticut.
- New Jersey housing costs are 30% more expensive than they are in Connecticut, with a median home price of $512,908 compared to Connecticutβs $393,802.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in New Jersey have increased 50% compared to a 55% increase in Connecticut.
- Rent in New Jersey is 22.93% more expensive than in Connecticut.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Connecticut and New Jersey
Comparison | Connecticut | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
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 | Snowstorms, Hurricanes | Hurricanes, Flooding |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 62Β°F | 85Β°F / 65Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 35Β°F / 18Β°F | 39Β°F / 23Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 50" | 47" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 37" | 23" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Connecticut to New Jersey. New Jersey gets 2% more sunshine days than Connecticut.
- New Jersey has higher humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Connecticut.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and hurricanes in Connecticut, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and flooding in New Jersey.
- The average summer high temperature in New Jersey is 3 degrees warmer than in Connecticut.
- The average winter lows are 5 degrees warmer than they are in Connecticut.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in New Jersey. New Jersey receives 3 fewer inches of rain compared to Connecticut.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Connecticut and New Jersey
Comparison | Connecticut | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $88,429 | $96,346 |
Cost of Living Index | 122.1 | 129.7 |
State Income Tax | 3% - 6.99% | 1.4% - 10.75% |
Avg. Property Tax | 2.14% | 2.47% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.35% | 6.625% |
Top 3 Industries | Finance, Insurance, Manufacturing | Finance, Pharmaceuticals, Technology |
Affluence | Wealthy | Affluent |
Poverty | Moderate | Low to Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in New Jersey tend to earn about 9% more than those in Connecticut
- The COLI in New Jersey will be 6% higher than what you are used to living in Connecticut
- The state income tax in NJ is 1.4% to 10.75% compared to 3% to 6.99% in CT
- The affluence in New Jersey is affluent compared to wealthy in Connecticut
- The poverty level is low to moderate in New Jersey compared to moderate in Connecticut
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Connecticut and moderate in New Jersey
Political and Religious Climate in Connecticut vs. New Jersey
Comparison | Connecticut | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Leans Democratic | Leans Democratic |
Local Politics | Liberal in urban areas, mixed in rural | Liberal in urban areas, conservative spots in rural |
Religion | Christianity (Catholic, Protestant), Non-affiliated | Christianity (Catholic, Protestant), Jewish, Hindu, Muslim communities |
- Connecticut tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- New Jersey, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democratic
- New Jersey's religious environment can be described as Christianity (Catholic, Protestant), Jewish, Hindu, and Muslim communities
- Connecticut's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity (Catholic, Protestant) and non-affiliated
Education Guide When Moving from Connecticut to New Jersey
Comparison | Connecticut | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Connecticut Yale University Quinnipiac University | Rutgers University Princeton University The College of New Jersey |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | International School at Dundee (Greenwich) North Mianus School (Greenwich) West School (New Canaan) | Townsend Elementary School (West Milford) Princeton Charter School (Princeton) Littlebrook Elementary School (Princeton) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Eastern Middle School (Greenwich) Bedford Middle School (Westport) Tomlinson Middle School (Fairfield) | Community Middle School (Plainsboro) Tenakill Middle School (Closter) Thomas R. Grover Middle School (Princeton) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Staples High School (Westport) Greenwich High School (Greenwich) Ridge High School (Basking Ridge) | Princeton High School (Princeton) Bergen County Academies (Hackensack) High Technology High School (Lincroft) |
Top 3 private high schools | Choate Rosemary Hall (Wallingford) The Hotchkiss School (Lakeville) Hopkins School (New Haven) | The Lawrenceville School (Lawrenceville) The Pingry School (Basking Ridge) Newark Academy (Livingston) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Greens Farms Academy (Westport) Kingswood Oxford School (West Hartford) The Ethel Walker School (Simsbury) | Morristown-Beard School (Morristown) The Pennington School (Pennington) Rutgers Preparatory School (Somerset) |
Top 3 School Districts | Westport School District New Canaan School District Greenwich School District | Princeton Public Schools Millburn Township Schools Summit Public Schools |
How Much Do Connecticut to New Jersey Movers Cost?
Moving 174 miles from Connecticut to New Jersey will typically cost between $1,500 and $4,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $1,500 - $4,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 3-9 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Express Haulers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,106 | 300 ft3 | $3.69 |
1 Bedroom | $1,640 | 450 ft3 | $3.64 |
2 Bedrooms | $2,701 | 750 ft3 | $3.60 |
3 Bedrooms | $3,915 | 1100 ft3 | $3.56 |
4 Bedrooms | $5,626 | 1600 ft3 | $3.52 |
5+ Bedrooms | $6,253 | 1800 ft3 | $3.47 |