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 $200/month and a cost-of-living index of 114.2.

  • The state has seen net outbound migration for over a decade.
  • This page covers every Connecticut-origin route we track.
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Connecticut at a Glance

Taxes

State income tax6.99%
State sales tax6.35%
Property tax (eff.)1.54%

Climate

Avg annual temp49°F
Annual precipitation50″

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

Cost of Living

COL index114.2 (US=100)
Avg electric bill$200/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 →
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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 $145/month — still high, but lower than Connecticut's $200.
  • Property taxes in NH are high (1.50% 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.