Connecticut to Pennsylvania Moving Guide
Updated June 11, 2025

Planning a 276 mile interstate move from Connecticut to Pennsylvania? This moving guide will help you compare living in Connecticut vs Pennsylvania across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs affordable housing), food & health (like Lobster Roll vs Philly Cheesesteak), real estate & housing (colonial vs dutch colonial & victorian), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Connecticut), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Lobster Roll and New Haven Pizza, but get your taste buds ready for Philly Cheesesteak & Pittsburgh Steak Salad
- Pennsylvania housing costs are 34% less expensive than they are in Connecticut
- Rent in Pennsylvania is 25.59% more affordable than in Connecticut
- Moving from Connecticut to Pennsylvania will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,000
- Our top recommended Connecticut to Pennsylvania movers is Pittsburgh Moving
Connecticut to Pennsylvania Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Connecticut to Pennsylvania
- High cost of living
- Harsh winters
- Traffic congestion
- Limited outdoor spaces
- Expensive dining
- Affordable housing
- Milder climate
- Relaxed pace
- Abundant parks
- Budget-friendly eateries
- Fewer historical sites
- Far from major cities
- Narrower job opportunities
- No ocean access
- Limited diversity
- Rich history
- Proximity to NYC
- Diverse job market
- Coastal beauty
- Cultural diversity
Pros of moving from Connecticut to Pennsylvania
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to affordable housing
- Look forward to moving away from harsh winters and moving to Pennsylvania with a milder climate
- Swap the traffic congestion of Connecticut for a relaxed pace in Pennsylvania
- Get ready for abundant parks in Pennsylvania
Cons of moving from Connecticut to Pennsylvania
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the rich history in Connecticut to live with fewer historical sites in Pennsylvania
- You'll lose out on the pro of proximity to NYC and have to settle for the con of being far from major cities
- Time to bid farewell to the diverse job market and get used to narrower job opportunities in Pennsylvania
- Swap the coastal beauty for no ocean access
Connecticut vs. Pennsylvania: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Connecticut | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Lobster Roll | Philly Cheesesteak |
Most popular meat dish | New Haven Pizza | Pittsburgh Steak Salad |
Most popular street food item | Hamburgers | Soft Pretzels |
Most popular vegan food | Vegan Pizza | Vegan Cheesesteak |
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 Pennsylvania, you will be trading the iconic Lobster Roll of Connecticut for the equally delicious Philly Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania. And while the locals in Connecticut rave about their flavorful New Haven Pizza and sumptuous Hamburgers, Pennsylvania residents know they have tasty Pittsburgh Steak Salad and Soft Pretzels to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Pizza they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania. 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 The Clam Castle. After the boxes are unpacked in Pennsylvania, don't wait too long before making your way to Pennsylvania's acclaimed eateries like Pat's King of Steaks, Geno's Steaks, and Reading Terminal Market.
When comparing lifestyles, Pennsylvania shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Connecticut. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Pennsylvania compared to what you are used to in Connecticut. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Pennsylvania.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Connecticut and Pennsylvania
Comparison | Connecticut | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial | Dutch Colonial & Victorian |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Close to schools, waterfront views | Historic features, large backyards |
- The Colonial architecture that Connecticut is known for will be replaced with the Dutch Colonial and Victorian architecture typical of Pennsylvania.
- Compared to Connecticut's real estate listings that commonly reference closeness to schools and waterfront views, Pennsylvania real estate listings often highlight features like historic details and large backyards.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Pennsylvania is more walkable than Connecticut.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Pennsylvania is more bike-friendly than Connecticut.
- Pennsylvania has more of an urban feel than Connecticut.
- Pennsylvania housing costs are 34% less expensive than they are in Connecticut, with a median home price of $261,312 compared to Connecticutβs $393,802.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Pennsylvania have increased by 43% compared to a 55% increase in Connecticut.
- Rent in Pennsylvania is 25.59% more affordable than in Connecticut.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Connecticut and Pennsylvania
Comparison | Connecticut | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
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 | Winter storms, hurricanes | Winter storms, floods |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F/62Β°F | 85Β°F/64Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 35Β°F/18Β°F | 33Β°F/20Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 50 | 42 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 37 | 38 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Connecticut to Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania gets 11% fewer sunshine days than Connecticut.
- Pennsylvania has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Connecticut.
- Say goodbye to the possible winter storms and hurricanes in Connecticut, but be on the lookout for potential winter storms and floods in Pennsylvania.
- The average summer high temperature in Pennsylvania is 3 degrees warmer than in Connecticut.
- The average winter lows are 2 degrees warmer than they are in Connecticut.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Pennsylvania, as it receives 8 fewer inches of rain compared to Connecticut.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Connecticut and Pennsylvania
Comparison | Connecticut | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $88,429 | $71,798 |
Cost of Living Index | 122.1 | 99.7 |
State Income Tax | 3% - 6.99% | 3.07% |
Avg. Property Tax | 2.14% | 1.35% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.35% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Finance, Manufacturing, Healthcare | Healthcare, Manufacturing, Agriculture |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Higher |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Pennsylvania tend to earn about 19% less than in Connecticut
- The COLI in Pennsylvania will be 18% lower than what you are used to living in Connecticut
- The state income tax in PA is 3.07% compared to 3% - 6.99% in CT
- The affluence in Pennsylvania is moderate compared to high in Connecticut
- The poverty level is higher in Pennsylvania compared to moderate in Connecticut
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Connecticut and moderate in Pennsylvania
Political and Religious Climate in Connecticut vs. Pennsylvania
Comparison | Connecticut | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Mixed/Swing State |
Local Politics | Liberal urban centers with conservative rural areas | Liberal urban centers (e.g., Philadelphia, Pittsburgh) with conservative rural areas |
Religion | Christianity dominant, diverse religious communities | Christianity dominant, with a mix of other faiths |
- Connecticut tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Pennsylvania, on the other hand, is often described as a Mixed/Swing State
- Pennsylvania's religious environment can be described as Christianity dominant with a mix of other faiths
- Connecticut's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity dominant and diverse religious communities
Education Guide When Moving from Connecticut to Pennsylvania
Comparison | Connecticut | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Yale University University of Connecticut Quinnipiac University | University of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania State University Carnegie Mellon University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | West School New Canaan; North Mianus School Greenwich; International School at Dundee Greenwich | Merion Elementary School Merion Station; Whitemarsh Elementary Conshohocken; Bower Hill Elementary School Venetia |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Eastern Middle School Riverside; Central Middle School Greenwich; Bedford Middle School Westport | Radnor Middle School Wayne; Welsh Valley Middle School Narberth; Charles F. Patton Middle School Kennett Square |
Top 3 High Schools | Staples High School Westport; Greenwich High School Greenwich; Amity Regional High School Woodbridge | Conestoga High School Berwyn; Julia R. Masterman Secondary School Philadelphia; Radnor High School Radnor |
Top 3 private high schools | Choate Rosemary Hall Wallingford; Hopkins School New Haven; The Hotchkiss School Lakeville | The Haverford School Haverford; Germantown Friends School Philadelphia; The Baldwin School Bryn Mawr |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Greenwich Country Day School Greenwich; King School Stamford; Brunswick School Greenwich | Shady Side Academy Pittsburgh; The Episcopal Academy Newtown Square; Germantown Academy Fort Washington |
Top 3 School Districts | New Canaan School District; Greenwich School District; Westport School District | Tredyffrin/Easttown School District; Radnor Township School District; Lower Merion School District |
How Much Do Connecticut to Pennsylvania Movers Cost?
Moving 276 miles from Connecticut to Pennsylvania 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: 1.5-4.5 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: U-Relax Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,155 | 300 ft3 | $3.85 |
1 Bedroom | $1,714 | 450 ft3 | $3.81 |
2 Bedrooms | $2,824 | 750 ft3 | $3.77 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,095 | 1100 ft3 | $3.72 |
4 Bedrooms | $5,889 | 1600 ft3 | $3.68 |
5+ Bedrooms | $6,548 | 1800 ft3 | $3.64 |
Top Connecticut to Pennsylvania Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Connecticut to Pennsylvania movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Pittsburgh Moving
Best moving company overall for Connecticut to Pennsylvania