The Cost of Moving to and Living in Connecticut

This page is the starting point for the money side of a Connecticut move. Each section summarizes the essentials and links to a detailed guide or calculator.

Housing

Prices vary more by town than by anything else. In 2025, the median single-family sale was $370,000 in New Haven, $539,000 in Milford, $960,500 in Stamford and $2,400,000 in Darien⁴⁵⁶⁷. Condos are often the entry point in commuter towns. The cost of living guide has the full table for the towns we cover.

Property tax

Each town sets its own mill rate. Your bill is 70 percent of the home’s market value times the rate, divided by 1,000⁸. FY2027 rates across our towns run from 10.125 in Greenwich to 46.77 in West Hartford⁹. Read Connecticut property taxes explained and the mill rate math for 10 towns.

Income and other state taxes

Connecticut’s income tax rates for 2025 run from 2 percent to 6.99 percent³. There is no city income tax. If you will work in New York, read live in Connecticut, work in New York. New residents should read Connecticut taxes for new residents, and anyone near retirement should read retiring in Connecticut.

Buying costs

Buyers in Connecticut usually hire a real estate attorney and pay lender, title, recording and prepaid tax costs at closing. We do not quote an average because it varies with the loan and the town; your lender’s Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure show your figures¹⁰. Read what it costs to move to Connecticut and buying a home in Connecticut.

Selling costs

Sellers pay the state conveyance tax: 0.75 percent on the portion of a home’s price up to $800,000, 1.25 percent from $800,000 to $2.5 million and 2.25 percent above that, plus a town conveyance tax of 0.25 percent in most towns and up to 0.50 percent in some¹². The federal home-sale exclusion can shelter up to $250,000 of gain ($500,000 for most married couples)¹¹. Read selling a home in Connecticut.

Insurance

Homeowners insurance is required by most lenders. Flood insurance is a separate policy and lenders require it for homes in high-risk flood zones with federally backed mortgages¹². Read homeowners insurance, flood zones and coastal risk.

Calculators

• Cost of moving calculator: fills in each town’s official mill rate and estimates your first-year costs from your own inputs.
• Net proceeds calculator: applies Connecticut’s state and town conveyance tax tiers to your sale price.

Getting advice

This site is general information, not tax, legal or financial advice. For your situation, talk to a Connecticut real estate attorney, a CPA and, when you are ready to buy or sell, a licensed Connecticut agent. We can introduce you to one.

Build your monthly budget in five steps

A Connecticut housing budget has more moving parts than a rent check. Work through these five steps for each town on your list and the comparison becomes clear.

Step 1: the mortgage. Start with the price range you are considering and your down payment. Your lender can give you a payment for principal and interest at today’s rates.

Step 2: property tax. Multiply the price by 0.70, then by the town’s mill rate, then divide by 1,000. Divide by 12 for the monthly figure. The town pages on this site do this for a sample home.

Step 3: insurance. Get a homeowners quote for the actual address. On the coast, ask about flood and wind coverage too. Our insurance and flood risk guide explains what to ask.

Step 4: fees and utilities. Add condo or HOA fees if there are any, plus heating, electricity, water, sewer and trash. Ask the seller for a year of utility bills.

Step 5: getting to work. Add the monthly train ticket and parking, or the cost of a second car. The commuting guide and Metro-North fares guide help with this.

One price, six tax bills

To show how much the town matters, here is the FY2027 property tax on the same $600,000 home in six towns on this site, assessed at 70 percent of market value⁹.

In Greenwich, at a rate of 10.125, the tax would be about $4,252 a year. In Madison, at 23.06, about $9,685.

In Stamford, at 24.31 to 25.14 mills, depending on the tax district, about $10,210 to $10,559, depending on the tax district. In Milford, at 28.67, about $12,041.

In Norwalk, at 22.98 to 24.67 mills, depending on the taxing district, about $9,652 to $10,362, depending on the taxing district. In West Hartford, at 46.77, about $19,643.

That is a gap of more than $15,000 a year on the same price. Of course a $600,000 home buys very different things in each of those towns, so compare the tax alongside what the money buys. The mill rate math post runs the same exercise for ten towns.

Cash you need up front

Before you get the keys, you will need the down payment, closing costs and moving costs. Closing costs include attorney fees, lender fees, title insurance, recording fees and prepaid taxes and insurance. Your Loan Estimate lists them¹⁰.

Moving costs depend on distance, volume and timing. Read what it costs to move to Connecticut for how quotes work.

Then add a cushion for the first months: furniture, window coverings, small repairs and any work the inspection found. The cost of moving calculator puts all of this in one place.

Costs that surprise newcomers

Some Connecticut costs catch people by surprise. The car tax is one: towns tax vehicles as well as homes. Another is heating oil, still common in older homes, which you buy by the delivery rather than through a monthly bill.

Private trash collection is a third. Some towns provide curbside pickup; others expect residents to hire a hauler or use a transfer station. Ask the seller how it works at the address.

Station parking can also cost more than expected and some lots have long waitlists. Check before you buy if you plan to commute by train.

Renting vs buying

Renting avoids closing costs, property tax bills and maintenance, but builds no equity. Buying makes more sense the longer you expect to stay, because closing and moving costs are spread over more years.

A common approach for people new to the state is to rent for a year, learn the towns, then buy. Compare the total cost of both paths for your situation, including the cost of moving twice.

Selling costs, if you own now

If you are selling a home to fund the move, estimate your net proceeds before you set a budget. In Connecticut the seller pays the state and town conveyance tax, plus attorney fees, any commission and payoff of the mortgage.

The net proceeds calculator does the conveyance tax math for you. Selling a home in Connecticut explains each cost.

Comparing towns on total cost

Once you have run the five steps for each town, put the monthly totals side by side. That is the number that should drive the choice, not the list price alone.

For common pairs, the side-by-side pages do much of the work: Stamford vs Norwalk, Westport vs Fairfield and Greenwich vs Darien. For a cross-border view, see Connecticut vs Westchester.

When the numbers point to two or three towns, get matched with one licensed Connecticut agent who works there and can show you what your budget buys.

How costs change over time

The first year in a new home is usually the most expensive. After that, the main costs to watch are property tax, insurance and utilities.

Property tax changes when the town adopts a new budget each year and when it revalues. Insurance premiums are set by your insurer and can change at each renewal. Utility costs depend on rates, usage and the weather.

Keep a simple spreadsheet of your actual costs for the first year. It will tell you more about your budget than any estimate and it will help you spot changes early.

Where to save

The biggest savings usually come from choosing the right town and home type for your budget. After that, shop insurance each year, ask your employer about commuter benefits and look into state and town tax relief programs if you qualify.

Energy efficiency upgrades can lower utility bills over time. Ask the utility company about audits and rebates before you buy new equipment.

Costs for older buyers and downsizers

If you are downsizing or retiring, the cost picture shifts. Mortgage payments may shrink or disappear, while property tax, insurance, condo fees and healthcare take a bigger share of the budget.

Connecticut has tax rules for retirement income and Social Security that may affect your plans¹³. Read retiring in Connecticut and check the details with a tax adviser.

Property tax relief programs for older homeowners exist at the state level and in many towns. Ask the assessor what is available and how to apply before you buy.

If you are choosing between a condo and a small house, compare the condo fee against the cost of maintenance you would pay for yourself on the house: roof, exterior paint, snow removal, landscaping. The downsizing guide and the best towns for downsizing list can help you narrow the choice.

Costs for people moving from abroad

If you are moving from Canada or elsewhere, budget for costs that domestic movers do not face: international shipping, customs paperwork, currency conversion and possibly a period without a US credit history. Read moving from Toronto to Connecticut for details.