Virginia Local Expert
Laura Gray
“I arrived in Virginia in 1988 with a teaching job, a love of sunshine, and zero idea I’d still be…”
Read more about me
JourneysMoving Journeys|From VAMoving from Virginia|To CTMoving to Connecticut|Virginia → Connecticut
Leaving Virginia for Connecticut: Is It Worth What You'll Spend?
Trading the mid-Atlantic charm of Virginia for New England life in Connecticut brings more change than the map suggests. Virginia's rolling Piedmont landscapes, colonial history, and relatively affordable suburbs give way to Connecticut's dense commuter towns, coastal villages, and a cost of living that will likely catch you off guard. The two states sit just a few hundred miles apart, yet the shift in pace, taxes, and daily rhythms can feel significant once you actually settle in. Our Snappy Scout team (Laura & Lynn) dug into the costs, logistics, and lifestyle adjustments you should plan for before you load the first box.
Our Local Experts Guiding Your Move
Hauling Your Own Move from VA to CT
Average distance
550miles
Typical route
I-95 N and I-91 N
Popular moving routes (approx. driving distance):
Richmond, VA → Hartford, CT
~550 miles
Virginia Beach, VA → New Haven, CT
~600 miles
Norfolk, VA → Bridgeport, CT
~600 miles
Arlington, VA → Stamford, CT
~450 miles
Roanoke, VA → Hartford, CT
~700 miles
Should You Move From Virginia to Connecticut Quiz
Take this 10 question quiz to find out if the move to Connecticut from Virginia 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 Should You Set Aside for a VA to CT Move?
Moving 550 miles from Virginia to Connecticut will typically cost between $2,500.00 and $4,500.00 to hire full service movers. See the breakdown below by home size.
Expected Range
$2,500.00–$4,500.00
Expected Time
2–9days
Cost by home size
Studio
$1,300.00
1 Bedroom
$1,930.00
2 Bedrooms
$3,180.00
3 Bedrooms
$4,610.00
4 Bedrooms
$6,620.00
5+ Bedrooms
$7,350.00
| Home Size | Moving Cost | Volume (ft³) | $/ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,300.00 | 300 | $4.33 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,930.00 | 450 | $4.29 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,180.00 | 750 | $4.24 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,610.00 | 1,100 | $4.19 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $6,620.00 | 1,600 | $4.14 |
| 5+ Bedrooms | $7,350.00 | 1,800 | $4.08 |
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.
Is CT Right for Your Life?
Well, it depends. If you're a Binge Shopper, Stay at Home Mom, or Garden Club Lifetime Member, you'll thrive in your move to Connecticut. But if you're more of a Homesteader, Tech Bro, or Vintage Thrifter, 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 Virginia to Connecticut.
Top 3 winners and losers moving from VA to CT
Shopping
Virginia
4.5
/10
Connecticut
8.5
/10
Virginia
Giving up
Great malls, but wallet cries during NOVA traffic purgatory.
Connecticut
Gaining
Westfarms, Danbury Fair, Clinton Crossing sprees.
Recommended CT cities/areas for Binge Shoppers
Virginia
4.5
/10
Connecticut
8.5
/10
Stay At Home Moms
Virginia
7
/10
Connecticut
9
/10
Virginia
Giving up
Playgrounds, PTA circles, and Busch Gardens weekends.
Connecticut
Gaining
Playgrounds, Lake Compounce weekends, library passes.
Recommended CT cities/areas for Stay at Home Moms
FairfieldSimsburyCheshire
Virginia
7
/10
Connecticut
9
/10
Gardener
Virginia
7
/10
Connecticut
8.5
/10
Virginia
Giving up
Norfolk Botanical Garden blooms, Maymont roses, daffodil festival.
Connecticut
Gaining
Elizabeth Park roses, White Memorial blooms, Florence Griswold gardens.
Recommended CT cities/areas for Garden Club Lifetime Members
Virginia
7
/10
Connecticut
8.5
/10
Homesteading
Virginia
6.5
/10
Connecticut
4
/10
Virginia
Giving up
Acreage, farmers co ops, and Shenandoah canning season.
Connecticut
Gaining
Quiet Corner acres exist, taxes pinch, farmers markets ease costs.
Recommended CT cities/areas for Homesteaders
WoodstockLitchfield
Virginia
6.5
/10
Connecticut
4
/10
Thrifting
Virginia
7
/10
Connecticut
6.5
/10
Virginia
Giving up
Bygones Vintage, Low Vintage digs, Old Town finds.
Connecticut
Gaining
East Rock estate sales, Putnam antiquing, Collinsville treasures.
Recommended CT cities/areas for Vintage Thrifters
New Haven East RockPutnamCollinsville
Virginia
7
/10
Connecticut
6.5
/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 Virginia and living in Connecticut
VirginiaConnecticut
How People Really Live and Eat in VA and CT
Eating Like a Local in Virginia
What do locals actually order in the Hampton Roads area: White dip with their Mexican chips, She Crab Soup, and an Orange Crush, a one-of-a-kind kind of drink.
Laura GrayVirginia 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 ExpertHow Moving from VA to CT Changes Your Taxes
Virginia
Connecticut
VirginiavsConnecticut
State Income Tax
State Income TaxProgressive 2% to 5.75%, top rate over $17k income
Progressive 2% to 6.99%; lower brackets reduced in 2024; credits phase out.
Virginia
Progressive 2% to 5.75%, top rate over $17k income
VS
Connecticut
Progressive 2% to 6.99%; lower brackets reduced in 2024; credits phase out.
Property Taxes
Property TaxesHigher in Northern Virginia suburbs, lower in Shenandoah, Southside, Eastern Shore
High mill rates in Hartford, New Haven, & Bridgeport; suburbs like Greenwich, Westport lower.
Virginia
Higher in Northern Virginia suburbs, lower in Shenandoah, Southside, Eastern Shore
VS
Connecticut
High mill rates in Hartford, New Haven, & Bridgeport; suburbs like Greenwich, Westport lower.
The No-Nonsense People, Politics, & Religion Breakdown: VA vs CT
Virginia
Connecticut
VirginiavsConnecticut
People
PeoplePolite, history obsessed, NOVA fast paced, coastal easygoing, mountain neighborly, military strong
Politely reserved, town-focused, preppy coastal pockets w/ maritime history, surprisingly neighborly, dry humor.
Virginia
Polite, history obsessed, NOVA fast paced, coastal easygoing, mountain neighborly, military strong
VS
Connecticut
Politely reserved, town-focused, preppy coastal pockets w/ maritime history, surprisingly neighborly, dry humor.
Politics
Purple statewide, NOVA, Richmond, Hampton Roads blue, Southwest, Shenandoah, Southside reliably red
Solidly blue statewide; cities deep Democratic; Fairfield County suburbs moderate; eastern towns mixed.
Virginia
Purple statewide, NOVA, Richmond, Hampton Roads blue, Southwest, Shenandoah, Southside reliably red
VS
Connecticut
Solidly blue statewide; cities deep Democratic; Fairfield County suburbs moderate; eastern towns mixed.
Religion
ReligionMostly Christian, Baptist and Catholic strong, rising unaffiliated, notable Muslim and Hindu in NOVA
Catholic largest; many mainline Protestant; sizable Jewish community in West Hartford, Stamford; rising unaffiliated.
Virginia
Mostly Christian, Baptist and Catholic strong, rising unaffiliated, notable Muslim and Hindu in NOVA
VS
Connecticut
Catholic largest; many mainline Protestant; sizable Jewish community in West Hartford, Stamford; rising unaffiliated.
How The Seasons Change When You Move from VA to CT
SUMMER
Virginia
sweet tea sauna (Chesapeake breathes on you, Roanoke bakes by noon)
Connecticut
Lobsta' roll sauna mode (Inland bakes while the coast gets some natural AC).
WINTER
Virginia
coat roulette (Blue Ridge bites, Hampton Roads shrugs and rains)
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 Virginia, 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
