New Jersey Local Expert
Diane Briante
“I’ve been rooted in New Jersey since day one and have lived everywhere from Hillside to Elizabeth to Springfield before…”
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JourneysMoving Journeys|From NJMoving from New Jersey|To CTMoving to Connecticut|New Jersey → Connecticut
Making the Move from NJ to Connecticut: What Google Won't Tell You
On the surface, swapping New Jersey for Connecticut looks like a minor hop up the Northeast corridor, but the shift in pace, costs, and culture tends to catch even seasoned movers off guard. New Jersey delivers dense urban energy, proximity to New York City, and a lifestyle built around convenience at every corner, while Connecticut trades that intensity for quieter shoreline towns, rolling hills, and a rhythm that leans closer to New England than the tri-state hustle. Our Snappy Scout team (Diane & Lynn) broke down the costs, logistics, and lifestyle changes you should expect before packing the first box.
Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
Most Direct Route for a Moving Truck from NJ to CT
Average distance
100miles
Typical route
I-95 N and I-91 N are the major highways you'd drive to get from New Jersey to Connecticut.
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Newark, NJ → Stamford, CT
~50 miles
Jersey City, NJ → Bridgeport, CT
~100 miles
Trenton, NJ → New Haven, CT
~150 miles
Atlantic City, NJ → Hartford, CT
~200 miles
Cape May, NJ → Waterbury, CT
~250 miles
Should You Move From New Jersey to Connecticut Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Connecticut from New Jersey 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 Do Professional Movers Ask from NJ to CT?
Moving 100 miles from New Jersey 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.
Who Should Avoid the Move from NJ to CT?
Well, it depends. If you're a Garden Club Lifetime Member, Adventure Junkie, or Cowboy, you'll thrive in your move to Connecticut. But if you're more of a Gamer or Tech Bro, 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 New Jersey to Connecticut.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from NJ to CT
Gardener
New Jersey
7
/10
Connecticut
8.5
/10
New Jersey
Giving up
Presby Iris strolls, Reeves-Reed blooms, Grounds For Sculpture teas, Duke Gardens
Connecticut
Gaining
Elizabeth Park roses, White Memorial blooms, Florence Griswold gardens.
Recommended CT cities/areas for Garden Club Lifetime Members
New Jersey
7
/10
Connecticut
8.5
/10
Adventure Activities
New Jersey
6
/10
Connecticut
7
/10
New Jersey
Giving up
Appalachian Trail miles, Pine Barrens paddles, High Point views
Connecticut
Gaining
AT in Kent, Sleeping Giant climbing, Mooween mountain biking.
Recommended CT cities/areas for Adventure Junkies
KentHamdenLebanon
New Jersey
6
/10
Connecticut
7
/10
Cowboys
New Jersey
2
/10
Connecticut
3
/10
New Jersey
Giving up
Cowtown Rodeo thrills, but spurs feel lonely off Turnpike
Connecticut
Gaining
Goshen Fair broncs entertain, but daily ranch life is rare.
Recommended CT cities/areas for Cowboys
Goshen
New Jersey
2
/10
Connecticut
3
/10
Gaming
New Jersey
7.5
/10
Connecticut
6
/10
New Jersey
Giving up
Prudential Center esports nights, Yestercades nostalgia, fast gigabit lofts
Connecticut
Gaining
Mohegan Sun & Foxwoods tournaments, Dave and Buster's Manchester marathons.
Recommended CT cities/areas for Gamers
UncasvilleLedyardManchester
New Jersey
7.5
/10
Connecticut
6
/10
Tech Scene
New Jersey
8.5
/10
Connecticut
8
/10
New Jersey
Giving up
PATH to Manhattan, Princeton startups, Bell Labs Holmdel echoes
Connecticut
Gaining
Stamford fintech, Yale biotech, District New Haven coworking.
New Jersey
8.5
/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 New Jersey and living in Connecticut
New JerseyConnecticut
From NJ to CT: How Your Plate Looks Different
Eating 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 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 ExpertWhat the Move to CT from NJ Costs You for Your Tax Bill
New Jersey
Connecticut
New JerseyvsConnecticut
State Income Tax
State Income TaxProgressive 1.4% to 10.75%, top rate over $1M, multiple brackets
Progressive 2% to 6.99%; lower brackets reduced in 2024; credits phase out.
New Jersey
Progressive 1.4% to 10.75%, top rate over $1M, multiple brackets
VS
Connecticut
Progressive 2% to 6.99%; lower brackets reduced in 2024; credits phase out.
Property Taxes
Property TaxesNorth Jersey suburbs like Bergen and Essex pricier, South Jersey lower, Jersey City abatements
High mill rates in Hartford, New Haven, & Bridgeport; suburbs like Greenwich, Westport lower.
New Jersey
North Jersey suburbs like Bergen and Essex pricier, South Jersey lower, Jersey City abatements
VS
Connecticut
High mill rates in Hartford, New Haven, & Bridgeport; suburbs like Greenwich, Westport lower.
Moving from NJ to CT: The Values, Beliefs, & Politics Change
New Jersey
Connecticut
New JerseyvsConnecticut
People
PeopleDirect, fast talking, proudly diverse, neighborhood loyal, bagel and pizza opinions unshakeable
Politely reserved, town-focused, preppy coastal pockets w/ maritime history, surprisingly neighborly, dry humor.
New Jersey
Direct, fast talking, proudly diverse, neighborhood loyal, bagel and pizza opinions unshakeable
VS
Connecticut
Politely reserved, town-focused, preppy coastal pockets w/ maritime history, surprisingly neighborly, dry humor.
Politics
Reliably blue statewide, GOP strength in Ocean Monmouth Sussex, suburban moderates swing
Solidly blue statewide; cities deep Democratic; Fairfield County suburbs moderate; eastern towns mixed.
New Jersey
Reliably blue statewide, GOP strength in Ocean Monmouth Sussex, suburban moderates swing
VS
Connecticut
Solidly blue statewide; cities deep Democratic; Fairfield County suburbs moderate; eastern towns mixed.
Religion
ReligionLargely Christian, many Catholics, notable Jewish in Lakewood and Teaneck, growing Hindu Muslim unaffiliated
Catholic largest; many mainline Protestant; sizable Jewish community in West Hartford, Stamford; rising unaffiliated.
New Jersey
Largely Christian, many Catholics, notable Jewish in Lakewood and Teaneck, growing Hindu Muslim unaffiliated
VS
Connecticut
Catholic largest; many mainline Protestant; sizable Jewish community in West Hartford, Stamford; rising unaffiliated.
What Hits Different About the Weather When You Move to CT from NJ
SUMMER
New Jersey
boardwalk waffle iron (sticky 90s inland, ocean breeze tempers the Shore)
Connecticut
Lobsta' roll sauna mode (Inland bakes while the coast gets some natural AC).
WINTER
New Jersey
puffer coat roulette (High Point bites, Cape May shrugs)
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 ExpertNext 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 New Jersey, 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
