Connecticut Local Expert
Lynn Nelthropp
“She has a uniquely vivid long-term memory and actually remembers the details of being only 1.”
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JourneysMoving Journeys|From CTMoving from Connecticut|To NJMoving to New Jersey|Connecticut → New Jersey
Making the Move from CT to New Jersey: Is This Move Right for Your Personality?
Connecticut and New Jersey sit just across each other's borders, which can make a relocation between the two feel like a minor shuffle on the map. The reality tends to be a bit more complicated. Swapping New England charm for the Garden State means adjusting to a different pace, a new tax landscape, and a commuter culture that runs on an entirely different set of rules. Our Snappy Scout team (Lynn & Diane) broke down the costs, logistics, and lifestyle changes worth knowing before you start loading boxes.
Who's Behind This Guide
How Far Is Connecticut from NJ, Really?
Average distance
100miles
Typical route
I-95 S and I-287 W
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Bridgeport, CT → Newark, NJ
~100 miles
Hartford, CT → Newark, NJ
~150 miles
New Haven, CT → Jersey City, NJ
~100 miles
Stamford, CT → Trenton, NJ
~100 miles
Waterbury, CT → Paterson, NJ
~100 miles
Should You Move From Connecticut to New Jersey Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to New Jersey from Connecticut is the right call for your lifestyle and preferences.
Progress1 of 10 questions
Question 1 of 10
What kind of weather makes you happiest?
0/10answered
Live score
Collecting your answers and forming an opinion. Answer another question to see the results.
How Much Does Relocating to NJ from Connecticut Cost?
Moving 100 miles from Connecticut to New Jersey will typically cost between $2,500.00 and $5,500.00 to hire full service movers. See the breakdown below by home size.
Expected Range
$2,500.00–$5,500.00
Expected Time
1–8days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,480.00
1 Bedroom
$2,210.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,640.00
3 Bedrooms
$5,290.00
4 Bedrooms
$7,620.00
5+ Bedrooms
$8,480.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,480.00 | 300 | $4.93 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,210.00 | 450 | $4.91 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,640.00 | 750 | $4.85 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $5,290.00 | 1,100 | $4.81 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $7,620.00 | 1,600 | $4.76 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $8,480.00 | 1,800 | $4.71 |
How we calculated these numbers: We reached out to the owners and operators of more than a dozen nationwide moving companies to figure out how they factor in mileage, weight, volume, timing, origin & termination locations, and approximate home sizes to determine a moving estimate. The results above are what the data nerds at Snappy Scout created based on that info.
The Unfiltered Talk: Is NJ Right for You?
Well, it depends. If you're a Beach Bum, Retired Snowbird, or Vintage Thrifter, you'll thrive in your move to New Jersey. But if you're more of a Wall Street Exec, Minimalist, or Coffee Snob, settling into your new home state may be a bit of a challenge. We scored a variety of different “personalities” on a 10-point scale to show you what to expect from a lifestyle perspective with a relocation from Connecticut to New Jersey.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from CT to NJ
Beach Culture
Connecticut
4
/10
New Jersey
9.5
/10
Connecticut
Giving up
Hammonasset sands charm, but Long Island Sound waves stay tame.
New Jersey
Gaining
Boardwalks, roller coasters, saltwater taffy, Stone Pony after-sun encores
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Beach Bums
Cape MayAsbury ParkBeach HavenWildwood
Connecticut
4
/10
New Jersey
9.5
/10
Snowbirds
Connecticut
4.5
/10
New Jersey
5
/10
Connecticut
Giving up
Hammonasset & Silver Sands - summers soothe before flights to Palm Beach to avoid harsh winters.
New Jersey
Gaining
Locals say the "Cape May bubble" keeps that area calm, but winters are colder than Boca Raton
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Retired Snowbirds
Ocean CityToms RiverCape May
Connecticut
4.5
/10
New Jersey
5
/10
Thrifting
Connecticut
6.5
/10
New Jersey
7
/10
Connecticut
Giving up
East Rock estate sales, Putnam antiquing, Collinsville treasures.
New Jersey
Gaining
Golden Nugget treasures, Red Bank Antique Center, Montclair goodies
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Vintage Thrifters
LambertvilleRed BankMontclair
Connecticut
6.5
/10
New Jersey
7
/10
Wall Street Life
Connecticut
9
/10
New Jersey
6
/10
Connecticut
Giving up
Hedge fund row, Metro North dash to Midtown.
New Jersey
Gaining
NJ Transit Midtown Direct, Summit clubs, financial district across Hudson
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Wall Street Execs
Short HillsSummitMillburn
Connecticut
9
/10
New Jersey
6
/10
Minimalism
Connecticut
6
/10
New Jersey
4.5
/10
Connecticut
Giving up
Walkable condos, city life, Yale art.
New Jersey
Gaining
Sleek condos with NYC skyline views, but NJ Turnpike clutter follows unless you rely on PATH or light rail
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Minimalists
Jersey CityHoboken
Connecticut
6
/10
New Jersey
4.5
/10
Coffee Culture
Connecticut
9.5
/10
New Jersey
8.5
/10
Connecticut
Giving up
Willoughby's, J. Rene, GIV Coffee fuel debates.
New Jersey
Gaining
Bluestone Lane, modcup roasts, Asbury Roastery beach sips
Recommended NJ cities/areas for Coffee Snobs
Connecticut
9.5
/10
New Jersey
8.5
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of New Jersey?
The smell of the ocean. The sound of the seagulls down the shore. The train whistles from the local commuter lines.
– Diane Briante
New Jersey Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Connecticut and living in New Jersey
ConnecticutNew Jersey
The Eating Culture: Connecticut vs NJ
Eating Like a Local in Connecticut
Pizza with a Foxon Park soda (Birch Beer for me)
Lobster Roll, CT style (warm w/ butter)
New England Clam Chowder
Steamed Cheeseburgers
Lynn NelthroppConnecticut Local ExpertEating Like a Local in New Jersey
Every diner has something they're famous for. Order that. Don't order something too fancy. Avoid the red sauce unless you have inside information that it doesn't come from a can. Splurge on those amazing looking cakes or pies. And we judge diners by their fries. If their fries aren't good, we might not be back.
Diane BrianteNew Jersey Local ExpertThe True Tax Shift of Moving to NJ from Connecticut
Connecticut
New Jersey
ConnecticutvsNew Jersey
State Income Tax
State Income TaxProgressive 2% to 6.99%; lower brackets reduced in 2024; credits phase out.
Progressive 1.4% to 10.75%, top rate over $1M, multiple brackets
Connecticut
Progressive 2% to 6.99%; lower brackets reduced in 2024; credits phase out.
VS
New Jersey
Progressive 1.4% to 10.75%, top rate over $1M, multiple brackets
Property Taxes
Property TaxesHigh mill rates in Hartford, New Haven, & Bridgeport; suburbs like Greenwich, Westport lower.
North Jersey suburbs like Bergen and Essex pricier, South Jersey lower, Jersey City abatements
Connecticut
High mill rates in Hartford, New Haven, & Bridgeport; suburbs like Greenwich, Westport lower.
VS
New Jersey
North Jersey suburbs like Bergen and Essex pricier, South Jersey lower, Jersey City abatements
The Real People, Politics, & Religion Reality: Connecticut vs NJ
Connecticut
New Jersey
ConnecticutvsNew Jersey
People
PeoplePolitely reserved, town-focused, preppy coastal pockets w/ maritime history, surprisingly neighborly, dry humor.
Direct, fast talking, proudly diverse, neighborhood loyal, bagel and pizza opinions unshakeable
Connecticut
Politely reserved, town-focused, preppy coastal pockets w/ maritime history, surprisingly neighborly, dry humor.
VS
New Jersey
Direct, fast talking, proudly diverse, neighborhood loyal, bagel and pizza opinions unshakeable
Politics
Solidly blue statewide; cities deep Democratic; Fairfield County suburbs moderate; eastern towns mixed.
Reliably blue statewide, GOP strength in Ocean Monmouth Sussex, suburban moderates swing
Connecticut
Solidly blue statewide; cities deep Democratic; Fairfield County suburbs moderate; eastern towns mixed.
VS
New Jersey
Reliably blue statewide, GOP strength in Ocean Monmouth Sussex, suburban moderates swing
Religion
ReligionCatholic largest; many mainline Protestant; sizable Jewish community in West Hartford, Stamford; rising unaffiliated.
Largely Christian, many Catholics, notable Jewish in Lakewood and Teaneck, growing Hindu Muslim unaffiliated
Connecticut
Catholic largest; many mainline Protestant; sizable Jewish community in West Hartford, Stamford; rising unaffiliated.
VS
New Jersey
Largely Christian, many Catholics, notable Jewish in Lakewood and Teaneck, growing Hindu Muslim unaffiliated
Connecticut and NJ Locals on the Weather: What They Love
SUMMER
Connecticut
Lobsta' roll sauna mode (Inland bakes while the coast gets some natural AC).
New Jersey
boardwalk waffle iron (sticky 90s inland, ocean breeze tempers the Shore)
WINTER
Connecticut
Making me wonder why I live somewhere that makes my face hurt.
New Jersey
puffer coat roulette (High Point bites, Cape May shrugs)
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in New Jersey
The first day warm enough to hang out on the beach, the leaves changing in the fall - and the taste of my first Curley fries in Wildwood. The best!
Diane BrianteNew Jersey Local ExpertNext Steps
Learn More About Moving to New Jersey
By now, you're hopefully fully aware that at Snappy Scout, our moving guides aren't like the rest! Now that you've compared the aspects of leaving behind Connecticut, take a deeper dive into the specifics of moving to New Jersey. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from New Jersey local experts.
Moving toElizabeth
EWR Roar, 13A, Pastéis, And Port Crane Views
Moving toJersey City
A Deep Look At The Only City To Have Two PATH Stops In Its Limits
Moving toNewark
Ironbound Eats, PATH Zips, Branch Brook Park Blooms
