New Jersey to Connecticut Moving Guide
Updated June 16, 2025

Planning a 173 mile interstate move from New Jersey to Connecticut? This moving guide will help you compare living in New Jersey vs Connecticut across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like dense population vs quieter towns), food & health (like Taylor Ham/Pork Roll vs White Clam Pizza), real estate & housing (colonial, modern vs colonial, cape cod), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Connecticut), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Taylor Ham/Pork Roll and Italian Hot Dogs, but get your taste buds ready for White Clam Pizza & Lobster Roll
- Connecticut housing costs are 23% less expensive than they are in New Jersey
- Rent in Connecticut is 18.65% more affordable than in New Jersey
- Moving from New Jersey to Connecticut will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,000
- Our top recommended New Jersey to Connecticut movers is Big G Movers, INC
New Jersey to Connecticut Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from New Jersey to Connecticut
- Dense population
- High property taxes
- Heavy traffic
- Urban sprawl
- Quieter towns
- Competitive tax rates
- Lesser congestion
- Natural beauty
- Limited nightlife
- Further from NYC
- Higher cost of living
- Limited train access
- Diverse culture
- Convenient location
- Varied attractions
- Public transit options
Pros of moving from New Jersey to Connecticut
- Say goodbye to dense population and hello to quieter towns
- Look forward to moving away from high property taxes and moving to Connecticut with competitive tax rates
- Swap the heavy traffic of New Jersey for lesser congestion in Connecticut
- Get ready for natural beauty in Connecticut
Cons of moving from New Jersey to Connecticut
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from diverse culture in New Jersey to live with limited nightlife in Connecticut
- You'll lose out on the pro of convenient location and have to settle with the con of being further from NYC
- Time to bid farewell to varied attractions and get used to a higher cost of living in Connecticut
- Swap public transit options for limited train access
New Jersey vs. Connecticut: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | New Jersey | Connecticut |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Taylor Ham/Pork Roll | White Clam Pizza |
Most popular meat dish | Italian Hot Dogs | Lobster Roll |
Most popular street food item | Salt Water Taffy | Steamed Cheeseburgers |
Most popular vegan food | Italian Seitan Sandwich | Vegan Pho |
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 New Jersey to Connecticut, you will be trading the iconic Taylor Ham/Pork Roll of New Jersey for the equally delicious White Clam Pizza of Connecticut. And while the locals in New Jersey rave about their flavorful Italian Hot Dogs and sumptuous Salt Water Taffy, Connecticut residents know they have tasty Lobster Roll and Steamed Cheeseburgers to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Italian Seitan Sandwich they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Pho of Connecticut. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic New Jersey eateries like White Manna, Razza Pizza Artigianale, and The Knife and Fork Inn. 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, Sally's Apizza, and Modern Apizza.
When comparing lifestyles, Connecticut shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than New Jersey. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Connecticut compared to what you are used to in New Jersey. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Connecticut.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New Jersey and Connecticut
Comparison | New Jersey | Connecticut |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Modern | Colonial, Cape Cod |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Proximity to NYC, upgraded kitchens | Quiet neighborhoods, spacious yards |
- The Colonial and Modern architecture that New Jersey is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cape Cod architecture typical of Connecticut.
- Compared to New Jersey's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to NYC and upgraded kitchens, Connecticut real estate listings often highlight features like quiet neighborhoods and spacious yards.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Connecticut is less walkable than New Jersey.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Connecticut is less bike-friendly than New Jersey.
- Connecticut has less of an urban feel than New Jersey.
- Connecticut housing costs are 23% less expensive than they are in New Jersey, with a median home price of $393,802 compared to New Jerseyβs $512,908.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Connecticut have increased 55% compared to a 50% increase in New Jersey.
- Rent in Connecticut is 18.65% more affordable than in New Jersey.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New Jersey and Connecticut
Comparison | New Jersey | 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 | Hurricanes, floods | Hurricanes, blizzards |
Air Quality | Moderate | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85/66 | 83/62 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40/25 | 37/20 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 47 | 50 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 23 | 37 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from New Jersey to Connecticut. Connecticut gets 2% fewer sunshine days than New Jersey.
- Connecticut has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to New Jersey.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and floods in New Jersey, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and blizzards in Connecticut.
- The average summer high temperature in Connecticut is 2 degrees colder than in New Jersey.
- The average winter lows in Connecticut are 5 degrees colder than they are in New Jersey.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Connecticut. Connecticut receives 3 more inches of rain compared to New Jersey.
Financial & Community Snapshot: New Jersey and Connecticut
Comparison | New Jersey | Connecticut |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $96,346 | $88,429 |
Cost of Living Index | 129.7 | 122.1 |
State Income Tax | 1.4 - 10.75 | 3 - 7 |
Avg. Property Tax | 2.42 | 2.14 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.63 | 6.35 |
Top 3 Industries | Finance, Pharmaceuticals, Transportation | Finance, Insurance, Manufacturing |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Low | Very Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Connecticut tend to earn about 8% less than in New Jersey
- The COLI in Connecticut is 6% lower than what you are used to living in New Jersey
- The state income tax in CT is 3 - 7 compared to 1.4 - 10.75 in NJ
- The affluence in Connecticut is moderate compared to high in New Jersey
- The poverty level is low in Connecticut compared to moderate in New Jersey
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in New Jersey and very low in Connecticut
Political and Religious Climate in New Jersey vs. Connecticut
Comparison | New Jersey | Connecticut |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Liberal-leaning | Liberal-leaning |
Local Politics | Democratic dominance in urban areas | Democratic stronghold, with pockets of Republican influence |
Religion | Christian, Jewish communities Local Churches | Christian, with significant Catholic presence Local Parishes |
- New Jersey tends to lean Liberal-leaning in its political climate
- Connecticut, on the other hand, is often described as Liberal-leaning
- Connecticut's religious environment can be described as Christian with a significant Catholic presence in local parishes
- New Jersey's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian with Jewish communities in local churches
Education Guide When Moving from New Jersey to Connecticut
Comparison | New Jersey | Connecticut |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Rutgers University Princeton University Montclair State University | University of Connecticut Yale University Quinnipiac University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Littlebrook Elementary School Princeton; Millburn Middle School Millburn; Central Avenue Elementary School Madison | International School at Dundee Greenwich; North Street School Greenwich; Riverside School Greenwich |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Grover Middle School Princeton Junction; Millburn Middle School Millburn; Community Middle School Plainsboro | Eastern Middle School Greenwich; Middlesex Middle School Darien; Tomlinson Middle School Fairfield |
Top 3 High Schools | Princeton High School Princeton; Millburn High School Millburn; Bergen County Academies Hackensack | Staples High School Westport; Greenwich High School Greenwich; Darien High School Darien |
Top 3 private high schools | The Pingry School Basking Ridge; Delbarton School Morristown; Bergen Catholic High School Oradell | Choate Rosemary Hall Wallingford; The Hotchkiss School Lakeville; Brunswick School Greenwich |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Pingry School Basking Ridge; Newark Academy Livingston; Dwight-Englewood School Englewood | Greenwich Country Day School Greenwich; King School Stamford; Choate Rosemary Hall Wallingford |
Top 3 School Districts | Millburn Township Schools Princeton Public Schools Summit Public Schools | Greenwich Public Schools Westport Public Schools Darien School District |
How Much Do New Jersey to Connecticut Movers Cost?
Moving 173 miles from New Jersey to Connecticut 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 | $1,105 | 300 ft3 | $3.68 |
1 Bedroom | $1,639 | 450 ft3 | $3.64 |
2 Bedrooms | $2,700 | 750 ft3 | $3.60 |
3 Bedrooms | $3,913 | 1100 ft3 | $3.56 |
4 Bedrooms | $5,624 | 1600 ft3 | $3.51 |
5+ Bedrooms | $6,250 | 1800 ft3 | $3.47 |
Top New Jersey to Connecticut Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best New Jersey to Connecticut movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

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