No matter whether your relocation to the Constitution State is an international or just a long-distance one, you’ve come to the right place. When you start making your relocation plans, you’ll probably wonder about the cost of living in Connecticut. Keep reading if you’ve been asking yourself questions like how much does it cost to live in Connecticut and is Connecticut a good place to live in. We want to help you get through the process faster and have a stress-free relocation to the most charming state in the US.
How Much Money Do You Need to Live Comfortably in CT?
If you’ve decided that moving to Connecticut is just the right thing, you must be aware that this state is pretty expensive. According to the Economic Policy Institute’s family budget calculator, a family of four that lives in CT’s Fairfield County needs to earn around $110,500 per year and about $9,100 a month to live comfortably. Keep in mind that this is the most expensive county in CT. However, if you think that living in Connecticut is costly, know that California’s San Francisco, for instance, was ranked as the most expensive city in the US by the same organization. Franciscans must have a budget of around $150,400 per year. The Constitution State is not as expensive as SF and much of California, but, unfortunately, is not the cheapest one either.
What Is a Good Salary in Connecticut?
Yearly salaries in CT can range between $24,000 (the lowest median) to $438,000 (the highest median). The median income is around $98,000 per year. Of course, this can vary hugely and depends on both your professional field and your future CT location. The median income of $98,000 means that 50% of the population earns less than that, while the other half earns more. If you want to have a good salary that will allow you to have a comfortable life in CT, you should strive for the latter. After all, you’ll notice below that no matter which county you choose, you’ll need more than $90,000 a year.
Cost of Living in Connecticut and Housing Prices
According to BestPlaces, the cost of living index in CT is 107.8, which is more than the national average of 100. The most significant factor that affects the higher number is housing. If you’re looking to rent in Hartford, know that you’ll need around $1,300 per month for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center according to Numbeo. The price goes lower if you’re going to live outside the center, $950 to be precise. If you’re moving with kids, you’ll search for a bigger apartment. The median rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city center is $1,900, and outside of it is around $1,600. If you’re looking to purchase a property, know that the median price is $240,600. Also, the bigger house you choose, the bigger maintenance expenses you’ll have.
Cost of Owning a Home in CT
Median utility bills per month for a 915 sq ft apartment in CT’ capital will be around $100. Those include heating, electricity, water, cooling, and garbage. Your internet provider will be about $70 per month. We have outlined some tips on how to minimize heating, electricity, and water expenses below:
- Heating: When buying a property, search for the one with natural gas furnaces. They are preferred to ones with oil because they are environment-friendly and are cost-effective. To save some money, you can also get smart thermostats from Nest or Honeywell. They allow you to schedule the heating to certain rooms you’ll be using or will just simply provide heat only when you’re home. The best thing about it is that you can control them from your phone, wherever you are. You’ll have to pay upfront for installation (approximately $150-250 per thermostat), but it’s an investment worth every dollar because there will be significant energy savings over time.
- Electricity: We highly recommend investing in LED light bulbs early on. If you settle in a home with incandescent bulbs, you should replace them all. You’ll reduce your electricity bills significantly. Previously mentioned smart thermostats would help you save on electricity as well.
- Water: Some homes have their own well while some others use town water. If you move into a house with a well, you won’t have to pay water bills. Of course, you’ll have some expenses if the well runs dry, needs to be drilled, or if the pump has to be replaced. If you, however, settle in a home with town water, you should be more careful. Any leaky pipe can result in a huge water bill. Thus, detecting and fixing the problem will save you some dollar bills. Consider purchasing some water sensors to help you see such issues early on.
An Income Tax Is a Significant Issue
The Constitution State has some of the highest income tax rates in the US, coming in at 13% in 2016. Hefty state income tax puts CT in the same conversation with costly NYC. Some other US states charge half of the CT tax rate or don’t even have an income tax to stress about. Yet, CT is also known as the richest state in the country. Once you see what to pack when moving abroad or cross country, be sure to search for a job. You’ll indeed find a good one and be able to afford the high cost of living in Connecticut.
Living in CT — Property and Fuel Taxes
When moving internationally to CT, you should know that the property taxes are the fourth-highest in the US. For example, the average rate in Hartford County is 2.216%. This basically means that a home valued at $335,000 has an annual tax bill of $7,424.
As for the gasoline taxes, we have great news. Connecticutians haven’t had a fuel tax increase since 2013! Before that, during the period between 2005 and 2007, CT had the highest gasoline tax in America, but the rate has dropped significantly since then. Nowadays, if you’re a motorist, you pay $0.25 per gallon retail tax.
How Much Money You’ll Need for Dining Out and Groceries
The Constitution State is known for its fresh seasonal seafood and great restaurants. You’ll also find some of the best vegan cities here. The place can offer pretty much everything you want regarding dining out. The prices can range from $23 to $80 for one meal. The average bill for a three-course dinner for two in a mid-range restaurant will be around $50, according to Numbeo. If you’re moving to another country for love and want to impress your partner on a date night, know that the most expensive restaurant in the state is David Burke Prime at Foxwoods Casino. If you opt for cooking, know that one gallon of milk, one loaf of bread, 12 eggs, beef round, and 1lb of apples costs around $18.
How Transportation Prices Affect Connecticut Cost of Living
If you’re wondering how to live in another country, you’ll get all your answers once you click on that link. But what about getting around CT? If you decide to use public transportation, know that its network mostly relies on highways and trains. You can choose between busses and trains to get you anywhere you want. According to Numbeo, the one-way ticket in CT’s capital is $1,75, while a monthly pass costs $54.
If you own a car and plan on using it once you move, consider finding cost-effective and reliable overseas vehicle shipping. You should know that gas prices are 13% higher than the national average. The regular gasoline price per gallon is $2.94.
How Does Hartford Compare to Other CT Cities
The cost of living index in Connecticut’s capital Hartford is around 17% higher than the national average. Be prepared to pay approximately $455,000 for a home, which is the real estate market’s median price according to PayScale. If you decide to settle here, housing will definitely be your most significant expense. You should also be aware that your utility bills and grocery shopping will demand more money than in some other CT areas. If capital’s prices are too much for you at the moment, keep reading and find out how this city compares to other cheaper Connecticut’s counties.
Compare Hartford to Other Nearby Counties
Take a look at the cost of living in Connecticut’s other counties below. The data is taken from the website Numbeo.
| City | Utilities | Monthly Public Transportation Pass | Renting Apartment (1 bedroom) | Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hartford | $100 | $54 | $885 | $95 |
| Stamford | $155 | $80 | $1,860 | $255 |
| New Haven | $210 | $65 | $1,540 | $105 |
| Bridgeport | $220 | $45 | $1,890 | $115 |
What Are the Top 5 Most Affordable Places in CT
If your savings are tight and you haven’t found a job before relocation, you’re probably wondering what is the cheapest city to live in Connecticut? The answer is Torrington, a city located in Litchfield County. If you want to purchase a property, you’ll need around $145,400 here, according to BestPlaces. And if you wish to rent, you’ll need $890 per month. Click on the video below and see what other CT affordable places are.
What Should You Know About an International Move to CT
Now that you’ve read all about the average cost of living in Connecticut, you have a clear picture and can make the final decision about your international move. If your decision includes moving across the world to the United States, be prepared for a slight culture shock. Suppose you’re moving overseas from a non-English speaking country. In that case, you could improve your language skills with a couple of tips for learning a new language and break the language barrier by contacting a reliable Connecticut international moving company.
International relocation can be a bit challenging and leave an impact on your moving stress levels, especially during these coronavirus times. If you want to avoid that, you should schedule professional international moving services. A licensed and insured overseas shipping company will provide not only a smooth and successful relocation but also a clean and temperature-controlled storage unit. Their movers and packers will provide efficient packing services as well as the high quality of boxes & moving supplies. With such a reliable overseas moving company, your only task would be to gather all your documents needed to travel abroad and start searching for some expat communities online. That way, you’ll make friends when moving abroad more easily and quickly.
