7 Things to Know Before Moving to Connecticut

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If you have never been to Connecticut, you are missing a lot. Connecticut, also known as the Nutmeg State, is one of the most beautiful places with fantastic sceneries, including parks, museums, aquariums, forests, waterways, and mountains. You also visit Greenwich for more enjoyment. There is a wide range of funĀ things to do in Greenwich, CT, this weekend.

As you plan to move to Connecticut, itā€™s essential to understand the stateā€™s cost of living, including housing, transportation, healthcare, and utility costs, such as CT electricity rates. You should also know more about Connecticutā€™s culture to help you interact with natives.

Costs of Living in Connecticut

It is no surprise that Connecticut is one of the most expensive places to live in the United States. The average cost of living in the Nutmeg Stateā€™s is higher than the U.S. Its average consumer price index (CPI) of 268 is higher than the national CPI of 245 by 9.39 percent.

According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of two adults and two kids need about $118,551 per year ($9,879 per month) to live comfortably. However, the living costs vary by city. For instance, you would need $87,464 per year to live comfortably in Hartford.

The living costs weā€™ll look at include housing, transportation, healthcare, and utility costs.

1.Ā Ā Ā  Housing Costs in Connecticut

The cost of housing is relatively expensive in Connecticut. It is home to multimillion-dollar houses. According to Zillow, the median home value in CT is $244,800. Itā€™s 1.2 percent higher than the prices in 2018, and Zillow predicts the rate to rise by 0.7 percent in 2020.

Property taxes are also high in Connecticut, rendering the homes expensive. However, if you don’t have enough money to purchase at home in CT, you can still opt for rental. The median rent price in the state is $1,800. However, you can rent cheaper houses.

2.Ā Ā Ā  Transportation Costs in Connecticut

Moving in Connecticut has become easy due to its well-established highway system. Besides, Connecticut also has an organized rail system, increasing transport options. You will need around $1,230 per month on average for moving around the state.

Public transportation is also efficient in Connecticut. You can use Amtrak to access inner-city parts of Connecticut. Many local and express route buses operate in CT. Also, you should not miss the ferry experiences along the state’s shoreline.

3.Ā Ā Ā  Healthcare Costs in Connecticut

Connecticut’s healthcare costs are relatively higher than the national average. Residents enrolled in Connecticut Medicare pay about $9,976 annually per person. The employeesā€™ annual premium in CT averages $1,498 after employer contribution.

However, six percent of Connecticut residents are uninsured. Health costs for uninsured residents are relatively expensive. Notably, the average Connecticut hospital bill per inpatient day averages $2,601 before insurance. You should buy a convenient health insurance plan.

Utility Costs in Connecticut

Connecticut has one of the most expensive utility costs in the United States. The average price of utilities in the Nutmeg State is $496.07 per month, ranking Connecticut 4th in the United States. That includes electricity, natural gas, water, cable, and internet costs.

Here are the average monthly costs of utilities in Connecticut.

4.Ā Ā Ā  Connecticut Electricity Rates

Electricity is the most expensive utilities in Connecticut. You would need about $187.29 every month to pay for electricity. However, electricity rates in CT vary depending on the type of consumer. Residential consumers pay the highest CT electricity rates in 2019.

Consumer Type Connecticut Average Price National Average Price
Residential Electric Rates 17.34 cents per kWh 11.88 cents per kWh
Commercial Electric Rates 14.65 cents per kWh 10.09 cents per kWh
Industrial Electric Rates 12.67 cents per kWh 6.67 cents per kWh

 

Electricity Consumption in Connecticut

Electricity consumption in Connecticut is generally higher than the national average. Here is the electricity consumption for each type of consumer in the Nutmeg State.

Consumer Type Connecticut Average Consumption National Average Consumption
Residential Consumption 731 kWh per month 914 kWh per month
Commercial Consumption 7,188 kWh per month 6,238 kWh per month
Industrial Consumption 63,947 kWh per month 112,158 kWh per month

 

Average Electricity Bill in Connecticut

Electricity bills in Connecticut are one of the highest in the United States. Here are the average electric bills for different types of consumers.

Consumer Type Connecticut Average Electricity Bill National Average Electricity Bill
Residential Electric Bill $127 per month $107 per month
Commercial Electric Bill $1,053 per month $629 per month
Industrial Electric Bill $8,104 per month $7,483 per month

 

Connecticut Electricity Companies

Many electricity providers in CT distribute electricity, including two utility companies and several electricity suppliers. The two utility companies include Eversource and United Illuminating (UI) Company. However, they serve different regions in Connecticut.

Eversource is the largest company distributing energy in Connecticut. It supplies both natural gas and electricity in CT. United Illuminating, on the other hand, oversees power distribution in the greater region of New Haven and Bridgeport.

How to Save on CT Electricity Rates

Since electric rates in CT are very high, you need to reduce your electricity consumption to save money. You can achieve that by implementing the following;

  • Unplug electrical appliances when not working
  • Replace conventional incandescent light bulbs with CFL or LED bulbs
  • Use programmable thermostats to regulate house heating and cooling
  • Run large electric devices during off-peak hours when electric rates are low
  • Purchase electricity from a reputable CT electric supplier

To find the best deal, you should compare electric prices in CT. Connecticut electric rates comparison can help you get the lowest energy rates CT to save more money.

5.Ā Ā Ā  Other Utility Costs in Connecticut

Electricity bills are responsible for the high electricity rates in CT. Besides electricity, here are the average costs of other utilities you would incur if you move to the Nutmeg State.

Utility Connecticut Average Cost Per Month National Average Cost Per Month
Natural Gas $114.11 $100.53
Internet (60 Mbps) $54.67 $62.33
Cable $100 $100
Water $40 $40

 

6.Ā Ā Ā  Job Market of Connecticut

Connecticut is one of the wealthiest states in the United States, with a minimum wage of $10.10 per hour, which is higher than the federal minimum of $7.25. According to Zippia, Connecticutā€™s unemployment rate is 4.1 percent, making it a lucrative place to work.

With a vast range of industries operating in Connecticut, the job market has improved for the past few years. Some of the fastest-growing careers in CT include web developing, operations analytics, medical practitioners, obstetricians, and psychiatrists.

7.Ā Ā Ā  Connecticut Culture and History

Connecticut has a rich history and culture, making it a popular destination for most tourists from different parts of the world. Additionally, the oldest newspaper that is still published up to date is from Connecticut. The state is also among the original 13 colonies.

Since the Nutmeg State is rich in history and culture, it is home to many museums. Some of them include the Zaffis Museum of the Paranormal, Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center, and the Mystic Seaport Museum.

Pros of Living in Connecticut

Connecticut is an excellent place to live in because it offers a lot of things that many other states don’t. Here are the pros of moving to the Nutmeg State.

  • Beautiful Scenery: Connecticut has a stunning beauty. Its long island shoreline and scenic mountain ranges offer charming experiences
  • Educated Inhabitants: Connecticutā€™s residents are well-educated since the state is home to top community colleges and universities like the Yale University
  • Fantastic Food: You can get great food experiences in Connecticut at its pizzerias. Its shoreline is also a source of fresh seafood.

Cons of Living in Connecticut

While living in Connecticut is fantastic, the state also has the following drawbacks.

  • High Living Costs: Connecticutā€™s living cost is higher than the national average by 9.39 percent. Housing and utility costs in the state are generally high.
  • Bad Traffic: The Nutmeg State has slow traffic. You can get delayed in a jam for longer hours
  • Extreme Weather Conditions: Winters in CT are very cold as summers are also very hot and humid

Conclusion

Now that you understand all you need to know about Connecticut, ensure that you budget well to avoid future inconveniences in the state. When you finally arrive in Connecticut, choose reputable companies that offer affordable utilities, including CT electricity rates.

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