There are several moving services to choose from when moving in Connecticut. If you are looking to make a change, we recommend using top-notch movers like International Van Lines. Depending on your needs and budget, other moving companies may also be a good match for you. Here are some companies we recommend and things to consider when hiring movers across Connecticut, whether in New Haven, West Hartford, or Bridgeport.
Best Moving Companies in Connecticut
Compare Connecticut moving companies
International Van Lines—Best long-distance moving company
International Van Lines is our pick for the best long-distance moving company. It can move you anywhere in the country and is upfront about its prices (most moving companies aren’t). IVL also offers substantial discounts if you’re a senior or need to ship a car. Plus, the moving company provides 30 days of free storage to provide a buffer when moving into your new home. On the downside, it has below-average customer reviews and annoying website pop-up ads.
First National Van Lines—Best local moving company
First National Van Lines is our pick for the best local moving company. While most moving brokers focus on helping you move between states, FNVL’s expertise enables you to move within the same state. It has a network of movers in nearly all US cities and receives above-average customer reviews. First National Van Lines can also give you a quote virtually or in person and provides attractive storage options. For example, it offers all customers a free month of storage and a remote video stream of their storage space. On the downside, FNVL’s website isn’t always up-to-date.
PODS—Best moving container company
PODS is one of your best moving options. Think of the company’s containers as storage units that you can hang onto until you've set a date with a driver to pick up and hook onto the back of a specialized truck. A PODS truck drops off a moving container at your home. Once you load it, PODS picks the container up and transports it to your new home, where you unload it. The container company has top-notch customer reviews, excellent storage options, and nationwide availability. And despite confusing invoices, PODS has some of the lowest rates for moving containers in the United States. In some cases, it's even more convenient and cheaper than rental trucks.
Penske—Best moving truck company
Penske Truck Rental is our pick for the best moving truck company. Renting a truck is the cheapest way to move, and Penske brings a lot to the table. It offers local and long-distance moving services everywhere in the country (except Alaska), provides reliable reservations, and has moving discounts. In addition, Penske has the highest customer satisfaction rating of any rental truck company. So if you’re able to pack, load, and drive, there’s no better option than Penske Truck Rental.
HireAHelper—Best hourly moving labor company
HireAHelper is an excellent solution if you need help with only a few parts of the moving process. The company’s professional contractors can help you with everything from packing and loading to furniture assembly and junk removal. It’s also easy to find, with nearly 5,000 locations in all 50 states. Plus, HireAHelper movers get excellent customer reviews. Just be aware that you must hire your workers for at least two hours. It’s not cheap compared to other hourly moving labor companies, but customer reviews suggest the premium price is worth it.
Move.org's top pick
![internationalvanlines](png/internationalvanlines.png)
International Van Lines is our pick for the best long-distance moving service. It has a vast network of cross-country movers, provides one month of free storage, and offers military and senior discounts. Want to move with Move.org's #1 pick?
What type of moving company is right for you?
Professional movers load your stuff, ship it to your new home, and unload it all for you. It’s the easiest—but most expensive—option. Learn more.
You load up all your belongings, but the movers transport your container to your new home. It’s the middle road for effort and cost. Learn more.
Worried about costs? Rent a truck, load it yourself, drive it to your new home, and unload all your things. You do it all—and save a lot. Learn more.
What to know about living in Connecticut
Population
There are roughly 3.606 million people living in Connecticut, a state named after the Connecticut River.1 Connecticut has the highest Diversity Index of all the states in New England.2 At least 79% of people living in the state are White, while nearly 12.7% are Black or African American. It also has a large Latino or Hispanic base (17%). Connecticut, the birthplace of the Constitution, is home to 516,924 veterans.
Other interesting population facts include the following:
- 3% of Connecticut residents live in the same household as they did a year ago.
- The number of people who speak another language aside from English is nearly 10%.
- 91% of people living in the state of Yale University have a high school diploma or higher.1
Employment
There are 1,898.7 million people employed in Connecticut, with an unemployment rate of 4.2%.3 The most common jobs in Connecticut are retail salespersons, cashiers, and registered nurses, while some of the fastest-growing occupations are ushers, restaurant cooks, and passenger attendants.4 Some of the largest employers in the state include Aetna, Air National Guard, and Amazon.
The average salary in Connecticut is around $67,375 annually or $32 an hour, but cities with the highest salary averages include Hartford, Bridgeport, and Stamford.5
Cost of living
Connecticut’s cost of living is 22% higher than the national average.6 The Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk metro area—one of Connecticut’s most populated metros—has one of the highest costs of living in the US. Rent there is an average of $3,930 a month,7 and utilities are as high as $462.62.8 The poverty rate in Connecticut is 10%.1
Politics
Democrats oversee Connecticut’s state legislature, constitutional state offices, all five of Connecticut's seats in the United States House of Representatives, and both US Senate seats (filled by Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy).9 Like Rhode Island, Connecticut does not have a county government.
In Connecticut, decision-makers are currently working to address issues like rising electric rates, worker shortages, mental health resources for children, cannabis sales regulation, absentee voting, and high rent and home values.10
American Van Lines is our pick for the highest-quality interstate moving company. It’s expensive, but the company has decades of experience moving high-value items like pianos and artwork.
Best Connecticut movers FAQ
Moving costs in Connecticut vary depending on the type of move, where you are moving, household size, and time of year. For example, a full-service move starts at $1,200 and averages around $9,060.11
The best moving company to relocate from Connecticut to Florida is International Van Lines, but any of the top moving companies would be up to the task. When looking for a top company, it’s important to get multiple quotes from various companies. Top professional movers offer reasonable rates, affordable deposits, and perks. They also have consistent customer service and legitimate credentials.
You should book your Connecticut movers at least a month before you move, as moving takes six to seven weeks, on average.11
You’ll pay an average of $168 per month for a storage unit in Connecticut,13 but this depends on seasonality, size, and the self storage company you use. The average storage unit cost in the US is $180 per month.14
Methodology
We conducted intensive research to identify the best moving companies for long-distance moves and local moves, in addition to container moves, truck rentals, and hourly moving labor:
- Compare pricing transparency. We gather quotes, check for binding estimates, and read customer reviews about pricing to ensure each moving company’s prices are trustworthy.
- Review accreditation. We check every company’s records in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s database to confirm companies are properly authorized to transport household goods.
- Mystery shopping. We review every company’s website, pose as customers in calls to companies, and read customer reviews to analyze every company’s moving services, transit protection, and customer service. We also interview actual customers to learn how their moves went from start to finish.
- Site visits. We invite moving companies to our headquarters in Salt Lake City, UT, to share data and expertise. We verify the information they provide by comparing it to data gathered through independent research and interviews with other movers.
- Regular review. We routinely repeat this process to update our recommendations to reflect current data and trends. We also revise each review annually and make updates throughout the year.
Sources
- The United States Census Bureau, “QuickFacts: Connecticut,” July 2022. Accessed Jan 12, 2022.
- Jason Cheung, CT Data Collaborative, “How Diverse is Connecticut?” August 23, 2021. Accessed Jan 12, 2022.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Connecticut Economy at a Glance,” January 12, 2023. Accessed January 12, 2023.
- Connecticut Department of Labor, “Occupations in Demand,” 2020. January 12, 2023.
- ZipRecruiter, “Average Salary in Connecticut,” December 2022. Accessed January 12, 2023.
- RentCafe, “Cost of Living in Connecticut,” September 2022. Accessed January 12, 2023.
- Asha Kennedy, Move.org, US Cities with the Lowest Cost of Living in 2022,” August 23, 2022. Accessed January 12, 2023.
- Sarah Cimarusti, Move.org, “Utility Bills 101: Utilities Tips, Average Costs, Fees, and More,” December 29, 2022. Accessed January 12, 2023.
- Ballotpedia, “Connecticut Elections.” Accessed January 12, 2023.
- Office of Legislative Research, Connecticut General Assembly, “Major Issues: 2023 Legislative Session,” December 29, 2022. Accessed January 12, 2023.
- Colin Holmes, Move.org, “How Much Does it Cost to Move?” December 22, 2022. Accessed January 12, 2023.
- Frank Lanigan, Move.org, “How Long Does Moving Take?” August 17, 2022. Accessed January 12, 2023.
- RentCafe, “Storage Units in Connecticut.” Accessed January 12, 2023.
- Kurt Manwaring, Move.org, “How Much Does it Cost to Rent a Storage Unit?” December 16, 2022. Accessed January 12, 2023.