Pennsylvania to Connecticut Moving Guide
Updated June 7, 2025

Planning a 278 mile interstate move from Pennsylvania to Connecticut? This moving guide will help you compare living in Pennsylvania vs Connecticut across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like cold winters vs milder weather), food & health (like Philly Cheesesteak vs Connecticut Lobster Roll), real estate & housing (colonial, dutch 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 Philly Cheesesteak and Pork and Sauerkraut, but get your taste buds ready for Connecticut Lobster Roll & Clam Pizza
- Connecticut housing costs are 51% more expensive than they are in Pennsylvania
- Rent in Connecticut is 34.39% more expensive than in Pennsylvania
- Moving from Pennsylvania to Connecticut will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,000
- Our top recommended Pennsylvania to Connecticut movers is Pittsburgh Moving
Pennsylvania to Connecticut Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Pennsylvania to Connecticut
- Cold winters
- High property taxes
- Limited coastline
- Urban congestion
- Milder weather
- Competitive job market
- Beautiful beaches
- Charming small towns
- High living expenses
- More modern
- Less industrial diversity
- Less geographic diversity
- Affordable cost of living
- Rich history
- Diverse industry
- Varied landscapes
Pros of moving from Pennsylvania to Connecticut
- Say goodbye to cold winters and hello to milder weather
- Look forward to moving away from high property taxes and moving to Connecticut with a competitive job market
- Swap the limited coastline of Pennsylvania for beautiful beaches in Connecticut
- Get ready for charming small towns in Connecticut
Cons of moving from Pennsylvania to Connecticut
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the affordable cost of living in Pennsylvania to live with high living expenses in Connecticut
- You'll lose out on the pro of rich history and have to settle for the con of a more modern environment
- Time to bid farewell to diverse industry and get used to less industrial diversity in Connecticut
- Swap varied landscapes for less geographic diversity
Pennsylvania vs. Connecticut: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Connecticut |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Philly Cheesesteak | Connecticut Lobster Roll |
Most popular meat dish | Pork and Sauerkraut | Clam Pizza |
Most popular street food item | Pretzels | Steamed Cheeseburgers |
Most popular vegan food | Mushroom Soup | Roasted Veggie Bowls |
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 Pennsylvania to Connecticut, you will be trading the iconic Philly Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania for the equally delicious Connecticut Lobster Roll. And while the locals in Pennsylvania rave about their flavorful Pork and Sauerkraut and sumptuous Pretzels, Connecticut residents know they have tasty Clam Pizza and Steamed Cheeseburgers to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Mushroom Soup they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Roasted Veggie Bowls of Connecticut. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Pennsylvania eateries like Reading Terminal Market, Pat's King of Steaks, and Zahav. 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, Abbott's Lobster in the Rough, and Ted's Restaurant.
When comparing lifestyles, Connecticut shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Pennsylvania. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Connecticut, compared to what you are used to in Pennsylvania. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Connecticut.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Pennsylvania and Connecticut
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Connecticut |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Dutch | Colonial, Cape Cod |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Hardwood floors, Granite countertops | Waterfront, Energy efficiency |
- The Colonial and Dutch architecture that Pennsylvania is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cape Cod architecture typical of Connecticut.
- Compared to Pennsylvania's real estate listings that commonly reference hardwood floors and granite countertops, Connecticut real estate listings often highlight features like waterfront properties and energy efficiency.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Connecticut is less walkable than Pennsylvania.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Connecticut is less bike-friendly than Pennsylvania.
- Connecticut has less of an urban feel than Pennsylvania.
- Connecticut housing costs are 51% more expensive than they are in Pennsylvania, with a median home price of $393,802 compared to Pennsylvaniaβs $261,312.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Connecticut have increased by 55% compared to a 43% increase in Pennsylvania.
- Rent in Connecticut is 34.39% more expensive than in Pennsylvania.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Pennsylvania and Connecticut
Comparison | Pennsylvania | 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 | Snowstorms, floods | Snowstorms, hurricanes |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85/62 | 82/60 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 33/18 | 35/18 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 45 | 50 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 38 | 40 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Pennsylvania to Connecticut. Connecticut gets 2% more sunshine days than Pennsylvania.
- Connecticut has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Pennsylvania.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and floods in Pennsylvania, but be on the lookout for potential snowstorms and hurricanes in Connecticut.
- The average summer high temperature in Connecticut is 3 degrees colder than in Pennsylvania.
- The average winter lows are 0 degrees colder than they are in Pennsylvania.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Connecticut. Connecticut receives 5 more inches of rain compared to Pennsylvania.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Pennsylvania and Connecticut
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Connecticut |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $71,798 | $88,429 |
Cost of Living Index | 99.7 | 122.1 |
State Income Tax | 3.07 | 3.00 to 6.99 |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.58 | 2.14 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.34 | 6.35 |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Education | Insurance, Finance, Real Estate |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Noticeable | Minimal |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Connecticut tend to earn about 23% more than in Pennsylvania
- The COLI in Connecticut will be 22% higher than what you are used to living in Pennsylvania
- The state income tax in CT is 3.00 to 6.99 compared to 3.07 in PA
- The affluence in Connecticut is high compared to moderate in Pennsylvania
- The poverty level is low in Connecticut compared to moderate in Pennsylvania
- In terms of homelessness, it is noticeable in Pennsylvania and minimal in Connecticut
Political and Religious Climate in Pennsylvania vs. Connecticut
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Connecticut |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Moderately conservative with significant urban liberal pockets | Largely liberal, especially in urban areas |
Local Politics | Mix of Democratic and Republican representation, depending on area | Heavily Democratic representation |
Religion | Diverse, with Christianity being predominant | Diverse, but with a higher prevalence of non-religious individuals |
- Pennsylvania tends to lean moderately conservative with significant urban liberal pockets in its political climate
- Connecticut, on the other hand, is often described as largely liberal, especially in urban areas
- Connecticut's religious environment can be described as diverse, but with a higher prevalence of non-religious individuals
- Pennsylvania's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse, with Christianity being predominant
Education Guide When Moving from Pennsylvania to Connecticut
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Connecticut |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Penn State University University of Pennsylvania Temple University | University of Connecticut Yale University Quinnipiac University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Marshall Elementary (Wexford) Bradford Heights Elementary (Downingtown) Hillside Elementary (Berwyn) | International School At Dundee (Greenwich) North Mianus School (Riverside) Riverside School (Riverside) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Radnor Middle School (Radnor) Tredyffrin-Easttown Middle School (Berwyn) Haverford Middle School (Havertown) | Eastern Middle School (Riverside) Saxe Middle School (New Canaan) Bedford Middle School (Westport) |
Top 3 High Schools | Conestoga Senior High School (Berwyn) Fox Chapel Area High School (Pittsburgh) Lower Merion High School (Ardmore) | Staples High School (Westport) Greenwich High School (Greenwich) Ridgefield High School (Ridgefield) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Haverford School (Haverford) The Hill School (Pottstown) Shady Side Academy (Pittsburgh) | Choate Rosemary Hall (Wallingford) The Hotchkiss School (Lakeville) The Taft School (Watertown) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Academy of the New Church (Bryn Athyn) Friends' Central School (Wynnewood) Germantown Friends School (Philadelphia) | Greenwich Country Day School (Greenwich) The Brunswick School (Greenwich) King School (Stamford) |
Top 3 School Districts | Tredyffrin-Easttown School District Radnor Township School District Lower Merion School District | Westport School District New Canaan School District Darien School District |
How Much Do Pennsylvania to Connecticut Movers Cost?
Moving 278 miles from Pennsylvania 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: 1.5-4.5 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: U-Relax Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,156 | 300 ft3 | $3.85 |
1 Bedroom | $1,715 | 450 ft3 | $3.81 |
2 Bedrooms | $2,826 | 750 ft3 | $3.77 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,099 | 1100 ft3 | $3.73 |
4 Bedrooms | $5,894 | 1600 ft3 | $3.68 |
5+ Bedrooms | $6,554 | 1800 ft3 | $3.64 |
Top Pennsylvania to Connecticut Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Pennsylvania to Connecticut movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Pittsburgh Moving
Best moving company overall for Pennsylvania to Connecticut