Life is Better in Connecticut

Connecticut is the place people come to live their best lives, build their dreams, raise their families, and access high quality education, jobs, culture, and outdoor activities. Our state is highly ranked in the areas that make it possible to live a full and meaningful life, earning Connecticut the enviable designation as the 3rd most prosperous state in the nation1 based on societal inclusiveness, economic openness, and the empowerment of our people. 

“We think Connecticut is a great place to live for our workforce. We have great education, we have a high quality of life, so it's easy to attract people to come to work for us. ” 

— Lutz Labisch, President & CEO of TRUMPF Inc.

People are moving to Connecticut for career opportunities and a unique lifestyle. Connecticut continuously invests in its people through workforce training and education programs to ensure that everyone, regardless of their background, has access to all that the state has to offer. “Connecticut has been a magnet state,” said Governor Lamont. A diversity of housing options, strong healthcare system, highly rated PreK-12 public school system, and access to parks and outdoor recreation all combine to make Connecticut a top destination for people relocating.

 

most diverse state in New England2

 

state for high school student college readiness3

 

best overall healthcare in the nation4

 

happiest state in the country5

Connecticut is committed to openness and inclusion, being rated #2 in the nation to live and work for LGBTQ+6, #4 for women’s health care and safety7, and containing some of the most ethnically and culturally diverse cities in the entire country, with Bridgeport ranking 11th, on par with New York City and San José, Stamford 18th, Danbury 21st, New Haven 35th, Waterbury 38th, New Britain 44th, and Norwalk 46th8. Partnering these with the fact that Connecticut has the #2 best childcare in the nation9, the #2 best public school system10, the #3 lowest violent crime rate in the U.S.11, is the #3 best state for working moms12, and the #4 healthiest state in the U.S.13, it's easy to see why Connecticut was named the #6 state to relocate to14 and a top 10 state to raise a family15. Multiple Connecticut cities are also recognized on the national level for their livability:

  • Top 100 Best Places to Live in America: Norwalk and Danbury16
  • Top 25 Best Places to Live in the Northeast: Norwalk, Danbury, New Haven, & Bridgeport18
  • Stamford #32 best place to live for families in the U.S.17
  • New York Times' Top 52 Places to Visit in the World: New Haven19

 

Sea-to-Ski Lifestyle

Go from hiking in the mountains to relaxing on the beach in less than 2 hours. There is a state park or forest within 15 minutes of every Connecticut resident, more than 2,000 miles of hiking and biking trails, and five ski resorts for winter sports enthusiasts. In the summer, you can enjoy 322 miles of scenic coastline, with hundreds of marinas and 83 state and local beaches. Visit one of the state's 18 art museums, 5 Tony Award-winning theaters and dozens of local productions, or 110 craft breweries and 47 wineries. Try your hand at two of the largest casinos in the U.S., Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods – the 4th largest casino in the world. Whatever your interests, Connecticut has you covered. Learn more about lifestyle in Connecticut here. 

Education

From universal PreK programs to investments in K-12 education, workforce training programs and the state’s community colleges and universities, Connecticut invests heavily in education to ensure that all of the state’s residents have access to opportunities for upward mobility. Connecticut is ranked #3 in the nation for the quality of its PreK-12 education20 and also boasts the 3rd highest level of preschool enrollment21. Our state knows that setting up future generations for success is a worthy investment.
 

Public Schools

Connecticut students consistently outpace their counterparts nationwide, outperforming them in both their placement into higher educational institutions as well as various testing metrics. Connecticut boasts the #2 best high schools in the country22 and ranks #4 in per pupil spending23. Our students persistently score among the nation's best when it comes to testing, posting the #1 highest median ACT score24, 5th highest percentage of students scoring a 3 or higher on the AP Exam25, and 4th highest percentage of students scoring a perfect 5 on the AP Exam26. Our state's public school districts appear on numerous national rankings for their quality, attention to students, and accessibility, including: 
 

Best School Districts in America

(Niche, 2024)

 

#20 — Westport
#48 — New Canaan
#65 — Wilton
#99 — Darien

 

America's Most Envied School Districts

(Test Prep Insight, 2024)

 

#9 — Ridgefield
#12 — Greenwich
#57 — Westport
#102 — New Canaan
#115 — Darien

 

Connecticut has five different types of public schools students can choose from. Learn more about them, find the school closest to you and read our report card here.
 

Private Schools

Connecticut has long been known as the state with the best private schools in the nation. In 1660, Hopkins School (the 3rd oldest private school in the nation) was founded by Connecticut's governor and the state's tradition of academic excellence has continued since. 3 of the top 25 private schools in the nation are located here27, with Choate Rosemary Hall rated the 3rd best private school in the U.S. Connecticut private schools also boast the 3rd highest percentage of faculty with advanced degrees28 in the nation.

Healthcare

Connecticut has heavily prioritized investment in healthcare for decades, ensuring that all residents in every corner of the state are able to access quality healthcare, resulting in one of the healthiest populations in the U.S. The state is a leader in promoting healthy practices and continues to work tirelessly to close gaps in healthcare and ensure that accessibility and treatment are fair and unprejudiced, ranking #3 for access to healthcare29 and #5 for reproductive care and women’s health30. 
 

High Quality, Accessible Hospitals

Connecticut has the 4th highest concentration of hospitals in the country31 as well as the most staffed patient beds as a percentage of the population in New England32, ensuring that all Connecticut residents are never far away from the care that they need. Yale New Haven Hospital is nationally ranked in 11 adult specialties and is rated High Performing in 1 adult specialty and 16 procedures and conditions, while Yale New Haven Children's Hospital is nationally ranked in 5 pediatric specialties by U.S. News and World Report33. Hartford Hospital, Saint Francis Hospital, and Bridgeport Hospital are counted among the other hospitals that have received High Performing designations form the publication in multiple adult specialties, procedures, and conditions.

1Legatum Institute, 2023; 2WalletHub, 2024; 3U.S News & World Report, 2024; 4U.S News & World Report, 2024; 5Kiplinger, 2024; 6Out Leadership, 2024; 7WalletHub, 2024; 8WalletHub, 2024; 9WalletHub, 2024; 10WalletHub, 2024; 11U.S. News & World Report, 2024; 12WalletHub, 2024; 13United Health Foundation, 2023; 14Kiplinger, 2024; 15WalletHub, 2023; 16Livability, 2024; 17Fortune, 2024; 18Livability, 2024; 19New York Times, 2023; 20U.S News & World Report, 2024; 21U.S. News & World Report, 2024; 22U.S. News & World Report, 2024; 23U.S. News & World Report, 2024; 24Commonwealth Fund, 2023; 25American Hospital Directory, 2023, U.S. Census Bureau, 2023, AdvanceCT calculations; 26American Hospital Directory, 2023, U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates, 2023, AdvanceCT calculations; 27Niche, 2024; 28Private School Review, 2024; 29U.S. News & World Report, 2024; 30Commonwealth Fund, 2023; 31American Hospital Directory, 2023, U.S. Census Bureau, 2023, AdvanceCT calculations; 32American Hospital Directory, 2023, U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates, 2023, AdvanceCT calculations; 33U.S. News & World Report, 2024