MoveCheck

Moving from Connecticut

Connecticut ranks consistently among the most expensive states to live in, with the highest average monthly electricity bills in the continental US at $165/month and a cost-of-living index of 110.9. The state has seen net outbound migration for over a decade. This page covers every Connecticut-origin route we track.

Generate My Moving Checklist

Connecticut at a Glance

Taxes

State income tax6.99%
State sales tax6.35%
Property tax (eff.)2.15%

Climate

Avg annual temp49°F
Annual precipitation50″

Humid continental with cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers.

Cost of Living

COL index110.9 (US=100)
Avg electric bill$165/mo

Why People Move from Connecticut

Connecticut's cost pressures are structural: high property taxes, the highest utility costs in the continental US, and housing costs in Fairfield County and Hartford combine with a shrinking manufacturing base. The top income tax rate of 6.99% and a complicated local tax structure add to the burden.

Connecticut's outbound pattern shows two distinct flows: people leaving for lower-cost New England neighbors (New Hampshire and Maine), and people making bigger moves to Florida, Wyoming, or other no-income-tax states. Many CT residents are effectively NYC-area workers who eventually re-price their housing situation once remote work removes the commute constraint.

Popular Routes Moving from Connecticut

Connecticut → North DakotaConnecticut → New MexicoConnecticut → ColoradoConnecticut → DelawareConnecticut → FloridaConnecticut → MassachusettsConnecticut → MissouriConnecticut → MississippiConnecticut → MontanaConnecticut → New HampshireConnecticut → WyomingConnecticut → AlaskaConnecticut → AlabamaConnecticut → ArkansasConnecticut → ArizonaConnecticut → CaliforniaConnecticut → Washington D.C.Connecticut → GeorgiaConnecticut → HawaiiConnecticut → IowaConnecticut → IdahoConnecticut → IllinoisConnecticut → IndianaConnecticut → KansasConnecticut → KentuckyConnecticut → LouisianaConnecticut → MarylandConnecticut → MaineConnecticut → MichiganConnecticut → MinnesotaConnecticut → North CarolinaConnecticut → NebraskaConnecticut → New JerseyConnecticut → NevadaConnecticut → New YorkConnecticut → OhioConnecticut → OklahomaConnecticut → OregonConnecticut → PennsylvaniaConnecticut → Rhode IslandConnecticut → South CarolinaConnecticut → South DakotaConnecticut → TennesseeConnecticut → TexasConnecticut → UtahConnecticut → VirginiaConnecticut → VermontConnecticut → WashingtonConnecticut → WisconsinConnecticut → West Virginia

Connecticut DMV & Registration

Connecticut requires you to update your driver's license within 30 days of establishing residency in another state. Connecticut's DMV requires you to return your CT plates when you cancel registration — keep the plate-return receipt, as Connecticut has sent out-of-state notices to residents who didn't formally cancel.

Official Connecticut DMV →
Build My Moving Checklist

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do so many people leave Connecticut?

Connecticut consistently has net negative domestic migration. The combination of the highest electricity rates in the continental US ($165/mo average), high property taxes, high housing costs in Fairfield County, and a state income tax up to 6.99% creates a burden that becomes harder to justify once residents are no longer tied to NYC-area employment.

What are the most popular destinations for Connecticut movers?

Florida, New Hampshire, and Wyoming appear at the top of search data from Connecticut. North Dakota and New Mexico also appear in Tier 1 routes — likely reflecting specific job or lifestyle moves. New Hampshire is popular for residents seeking no-income-tax living within driving distance of Connecticut.

How much does a move from Connecticut cost?

Moves to New Hampshire or Massachusetts cost $1,000–$3,000. Moves to Florida run $3,000–$7,000. Long-distance moves to the Mountain West or Pacific Coast run $4,000–$9,000.

Does Connecticut's income tax apply after I move?

Connecticut taxes Connecticut-sourced income. Once you establish residency elsewhere and no longer earn Connecticut-sourced income, you stop filing Connecticut returns. Coordinate with your employer if you're changing work location as well as residency.

Can I save money by moving from Connecticut to New Hampshire?

Potentially yes. New Hampshire has no income tax, no sales tax, and average electricity bills around $141/month — still high, but lower than Connecticut's $165. Property taxes in NH are high (1.89% effective rate), so overall savings depend on your home size and value. For renters or lower-income households, the income and sales tax elimination can be meaningful.