Connecticut money and costs

Sales and lodging taxes

Connecticut applies a flat statewide sales and use tax of 6.35 percent to most goods and many services, and there are no additional county or city sales taxes layered on top, so the rate is the same across the state.

Lodging is taxed separately under the state's room occupancy tax, which is higher than the general sales rate and applies to stays of 30 days or less. Rates can change, so confirm the current figures with the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services when you are budgeting a longer or higher-end stay.

What drives lodging prices

Two forces move room rates most. The Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun casino resorts in the southeast pull demand year-round and especially around events and weekends, and the Long Island Sound shoreline spikes in summer when beach and Mystic traffic peaks.

Booking ahead matters most for summer coast weekends and for casino-event dates. Inland hill towns and the Connecticut River valley are generally calmer and better value outside foliage season, which can be a good trade if you are not tied to the coast.

• Litchfield Hills vs the Connecticut River Valley

State park parking

Connecticut's Passport to the Parks program lets any vehicle registered in Connecticut park free at state parks and forests year-round, funded through a vehicle registration fee rather than at the gate.

Out-of-state vehicles are charged seasonal parking fees that vary by park and day, so if you are visiting from elsewhere, budget for parking at popular shoreline parks like Hammonasset and confirm the current fee schedule with Connecticut DEEP.

Sources

Reviewed source trail

• Connecticut DRS — Sales and Use Tax information — checked 2026-06-16
• Connecticut DRS — Room Occupancy Tax information — checked 2026-06-16
• Connecticut DEEP — Passport to the Parks — checked 2026-06-16