Massachusetts Local Expert
Candice Hallsett
“I have called Massachusetts home for 15 years, which started with a Texas to New England road trip in a…”
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JourneysMoving Journeys|From MAMoving from Massachusetts|To CTMoving to Connecticut|Massachusetts → Connecticut
Making the Move from MA to Connecticut: What Locals Want You to Know
New England loyalty runs deep, so trading Boston cobblestones for Connecticut shoreline is not a decision most people make lightly. The two states share a border, a regional identity, and a love of fall foliage, but the differences in cost of living, commute culture, and community feel can catch even well prepared movers off guard. Connecticut offers a quieter pace with surprisingly easy access to both New York City and Boston, while Massachusetts holds its own as a hub of education, innovation, and neighborhood pride. Our Snappy Scout team (Candice & Lynn) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle shifts you should know about before loading up that moving truck.
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How Many Miles Behind the Wheel from MA to Connecticut?
Average distance
100miles
Typical route
I-84 W and I-91 S are the major highways you'd drive to get from Massachusetts to Connecticut
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Boston, MA → Hartford, CT
~100 miles
Springfield, MA → Hartford, CT
~50 miles
Worcester, MA → New Haven, CT
~100 miles
Boston, MA → Bridgeport, CT
~150 miles
New Bedford, MA → Stamford, CT
~150 miles
Should You Move From Massachusetts to Connecticut Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Connecticut from Massachusetts 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 Will Moving to Connecticut from MA Set You Back?
Moving 100 miles from Massachusetts to Connecticut 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
$1,490.00
1 Bedroom
$2,220.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,650.00
3 Bedrooms
$5,300.00
4 Bedrooms
$7,630.00
5+ Bedrooms
$8,490.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,490.00 | 300 | $4.97 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,220.00 | 450 | $4.93 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,650.00 | 750 | $4.87 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $5,300.00 | 1,100 | $4.82 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $7,630.00 | 1,600 | $4.77 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $8,490.00 | 1,800 | $4.72 |
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.
That's the average.
What about your move?
Get a personalized estimate based on the details of your Massachusetts → Connecticut move.
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The Straight Talk: Is Connecticut Right for You?
Well, it depends. If you're a Garden Club Lifetime Member, Binge Shopper, or Stay at Home Mom, you'll thrive in your move to Connecticut. But if you're more of a Minimalist, Vintage Thrifter, or Hipster, 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 Massachusetts to Connecticut.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from MA to CT
Gardener
Massachusetts
6
/10
Connecticut
8.5
/10
Massachusetts
Giving up
Berkshire Botanical Garden, historic town greens.
Connecticut
Gaining
Elizabeth Park roses, White Memorial blooms, Florence Griswold gardens.
Recommended CT cities/areas for Garden Club Lifetime Members
Massachusetts
6
/10
Connecticut
8.5
/10
Shopping
Massachusetts
6.5
/10
Connecticut
8.5
/10
Massachusetts
Giving up
Newbury Street boutiques and Burlington Mall sprees.
Connecticut
Gaining
Westfarms, Danbury Fair, Clinton Crossing sprees.
Recommended CT cities/areas for Binge Shoppers
Massachusetts
6.5
/10
Connecticut
8.5
/10
Stay At Home Moms
Massachusetts
7.5
/10
Connecticut
9
/10
Massachusetts
Giving up
Top schools, family suburbs, great playgrounds.
Connecticut
Gaining
Playgrounds, Lake Compounce weekends, library passes.
Recommended CT cities/areas for Stay at Home Moms
FairfieldSimsburyCheshire
Massachusetts
7.5
/10
Connecticut
9
/10
Minimalism
Massachusetts
7.5
/10
Connecticut
6
/10
Massachusetts
Giving up
Small spaces force simplicity, urban living thrives.
Connecticut
Gaining
Walkable condos, city life, Yale art.
Recommended CT cities/areas for Minimalists
Stamford Harbor PointNew Haven Downtown
Massachusetts
7.5
/10
Connecticut
6
/10
Thrifting
Massachusetts
8
/10
Connecticut
6.5
/10
Massachusetts
Giving up
Garment District and thrift stores galore.
Connecticut
Gaining
East Rock estate sales, Putnam antiquing, Collinsville treasures.
Recommended CT cities/areas for Vintage Thrifters
New Haven East RockPutnamCollinsville
Massachusetts
8
/10
Connecticut
6.5
/10
Hipsters
Massachusetts
9
/10
Connecticut
8
/10
Massachusetts
Giving up
Vinyl shops, indie bookstores, and fixed-gear bikes.
Connecticut
Gaining
Cafe Nine shows, Barcade bragging, Black Rock vinyl.
Recommended CT cities/areas for Hipsters
New HavenBridgeport Black Rock
Massachusetts
9
/10
Connecticut
8
/10
Local Perspective
What moment, smell, or ritual captures the soul of Connecticut?
The sound of seagulls. No matter how deep into the state you go, seagulls are still prevalent since Connecticut is such a small state. The sound of them is so familiar and brings to mind memories of salt air and waves crashing, or twigs snapping under my feet as I hike along a riverside trail.
– Lynn Nelthropp
Connecticut Local
Lifestyle differences between living in Massachusetts and living in Connecticut
MassachusettsConnecticut
How the Food Scene Stacks Up Between MA and Connecticut
Eating Like a Local in Massachusetts
We have some really fabulous local ethnic restaurants. Any type of food you desire, you're sure to find it. From Cambodian, Ghanaian, to Brazilian, you'll find some excellent dishes to try. Grab a pupusa from a Salvadorean spot. It's cheap and delish!
Candice HallsettMassachusetts Local ExpertEating 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 ExpertConnecticut looking like
the right move?
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The Straight Tax Consequence of Moving from MA to Connecticut
Massachusetts
Connecticut
MassachusettsvsConnecticut
State Income Tax
State Income TaxFlat 5% on most income, 9% on short-term capital gains
Progressive 2% to 6.99%; lower brackets reduced in 2024; credits phase out.
Massachusetts
Flat 5% on most income, 9% on short-term capital gains
VS
Connecticut
Progressive 2% to 6.99%; lower brackets reduced in 2024; credits phase out.
Property Taxes
Property TaxesAmong highest nationally, Boston suburbs especially steep
High mill rates in Hartford, New Haven, & Bridgeport; suburbs like Greenwich, Westport lower.
Massachusetts
Among highest nationally, Boston suburbs especially steep
VS
Connecticut
High mill rates in Hartford, New Haven, & Bridgeport; suburbs like Greenwich, Westport lower.
What Changes About Values, Beliefs, & Politics When You Move from MA to Connecticut
Massachusetts
Connecticut
MassachusettsvsConnecticut
People
PeopleDirect and blunt but loyal, wicked smart, passionate about sports
Politely reserved, town-focused, preppy coastal pockets w/ maritime history, surprisingly neighborly, dry humor.
Massachusetts
Direct and blunt but loyal, wicked smart, passionate about sports
VS
Connecticut
Politely reserved, town-focused, preppy coastal pockets w/ maritime history, surprisingly neighborly, dry humor.
Politics
Solidly blue statewide, though fiscally moderate with Republican governors occasionally
Solidly blue statewide; cities deep Democratic; Fairfield County suburbs moderate; eastern towns mixed.
Massachusetts
Solidly blue statewide, though fiscally moderate with Republican governors occasionally
VS
Connecticut
Solidly blue statewide; cities deep Democratic; Fairfield County suburbs moderate; eastern towns mixed.
Religion
ReligionHistorically Catholic stronghold, growing secular population, diverse faith communities
Catholic largest; many mainline Protestant; sizable Jewish community in West Hartford, Stamford; rising unaffiliated.
Massachusetts
Historically Catholic stronghold, growing secular population, diverse faith communities
VS
Connecticut
Catholic largest; many mainline Protestant; sizable Jewish community in West Hartford, Stamford; rising unaffiliated.
What Shifts About the Weather When You Move from MA to Connecticut
SUMMER
Massachusetts
sticky brick oven vibes (humid 90s along the coast)
Connecticut
Lobsta' roll sauna mode (Inland bakes while the coast gets some natural AC).
WINTER
Massachusetts
layered like a human onion (single digits with windchill in January)
Connecticut
Making me wonder why I live somewhere that makes my face hurt.
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Connecticut
Winter: Listening to the snow fall on the trees. And spending weekends in warm museums.
Spring: Nature waking up and everything getting green and colorful again. Visiting beautiful parks.
Summer: Spending days along the shore and in the water. There are dozens of boat excursions to try in the sound.
Fall: The smell of crisp leaves, sipping hot apple cider, and eating freshly made apple cider donuts.
Lynn NelthroppConnecticut Local Expert✧ You've researched the move ✧
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Next Steps
Learn More About Moving to Connecticut
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 Massachusetts, take a deeper dive into the specifics of moving to Connecticut. No boring census stats... we promise! Just practical real advice from Connecticut local experts.
Moving toBridgeport
Pack Your Fixer-Upper Dreams and Loosest Pants
Moving toDanbury
Get Ready for Strip Malls and Brazilian BBQ
Moving toHartford
Bushnell Jazz, Yard Goats, Raincoats Required
