Alabama to Rhode Island Moving Guide
Updated June 10, 2025

Planning a 1,227 mile interstate move from Alabama to Rhode Island? This moving guide will help you compare living in Alabama vs Rhode Island across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hot summers vs cooler summers), food & health (like Barbecue vs Clam Cakes), real estate & housing (antebellum, colonial vs colonial, cottage), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Rhode Island), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Barbecue and Pulled Pork, but get your taste buds ready for Clam Cakes & Stuffies (Stuffed Clams)
- Rhode Island housing costs are 100% more expensive than they are in Alabama
- Rent in Rhode Island is 41.21% more expensive than in Alabama
- Moving from Alabama to Rhode Island will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
- Our top recommended Alabama to Rhode Island movers is MoveDaddy
Alabama to Rhode Island Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Alabama to Rhode Island
- Hot summers
- Hurricane risk
- Limited shoreline
- Rural isolation
- Lack of public transit
- Cooler summers
- Less severe weather
- Coastal access
- Urban amenities
- Better public transport
- Colder winters
- Higher cost of living
- Smaller housing options
- Higher taxes
- Busy urban life
- Southern charm
- Low cost of living
- Spacious homes
- Diverse cuisine
- Friendly locals
Pros of moving from Alabama to Rhode Island
- Say goodbye to hot summers and hello to cooler summers
- Look forward to moving away from hurricane risk and moving to Rhode Island with less severe weather
- Swap the limited shoreline of Alabama for coastal access in Rhode Island
- Get ready for urban amenities in Rhode Island
Cons of moving from Alabama to Rhode Island
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from southern charm in Alabama to live with colder winters in Rhode Island
- You'll lose out on the pro of low cost of living and have to settle for the con of higher cost of living
- Time to bid farewell to spacious homes and get used to smaller housing options in Rhode Island
- Swap diverse cuisine for higher taxes
Alabama vs. Rhode Island: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Alabama | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Barbecue | Clam Cakes |
Most popular meat dish | Pulled Pork | Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) |
Most popular street food item | Conecuh Sausage | Hot Wieners |
Most popular vegan food | Black-eyed Peas | Johnny Cakes |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
If you're moving from Alabama to Rhode Island, you will be trading the iconic barbecue of Alabama for the equally delicious clam cakes of Rhode Island. And while the locals in Alabama rave about their flavorful pulled pork and sumptuous Conecuh sausage, Rhode Island residents know they have tasty stuffies (stuffed clams) and hot wieners to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the black-eyed peas they've grown to love, they can get ready for the johnny cakes of Rhode Island. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Alabama eateries like Saw's BBQ, Highlands Bar and Grill, and Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q. After the boxes are unpacked in Rhode Island, don't wait too long before making your way to Rhode Island's acclaimed eateries like Al Forno, Iggy's Doughboys and Chowder House, and CaffΓ© della Pace.
When comparing lifestyles, Rhode Island shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Alabama. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Rhode Island compared to what you are used to in Alabama. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Rhode Island.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Alabama and Rhode Island
Comparison | Alabama | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Antebellum, Colonial | Colonial, Cottage |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, garages | Historic details, coastal views |
- The Antebellum and Colonial architecture that Alabama is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cottage architecture typical of Rhode Island.
- Compared to Alabama's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and garages, Rhode Island real estate listings often highlight features like historic details and coastal views.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Rhode Island is more walkable than Alabama.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Rhode Island is more bike-friendly than Alabama.
- Rhode Island has more of an urban feel than Alabama.
- Rhode Island housing costs are 100% more expensive than they are in Alabama, with a median home price of $451,868 compared to Alabamaβs $226,045.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Rhode Island have increased by 55% compared to a 45% increase in Alabama.
- Rent in Rhode Island is 41.21% more expensive than in Alabama.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Alabama and Rhode Island
Comparison | Alabama | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Hurricanes, Tornadoes | Blizzards, Nor'easters |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 90Β°F / 72Β°F | 83Β°F / 63Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 57Β°F / 36Β°F | 40Β°F / 20Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 56" | 48" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 1" | 33" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Alabama to Rhode Island. Rhode Island gets 5% fewer sunshine days than Alabama.
- Rhode Island has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Alabama.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and tornadoes in Alabama, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and nor'easters in Rhode Island.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Rhode Island is 7 degrees colder than in Alabama.
- The average winter lows are 16 degrees colder than they are in Alabama.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Rhode Island. Rhode Island receives 8 fewer inches of rain compared to Alabama.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Alabama and Rhode Island
Comparison | Alabama | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,674 | $81,854 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.2 | 123.3 |
State Income Tax | 2-5% | 3.75-5.99% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.40% | 1.63% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 4-10% | 7% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Banking | Health Care, Education, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Higher | Moderate |
Homelessness | Lower | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Rhode Island tend to earn about 37% more than in Alabama
- The COLI in Rhode Island will be 35% higher than what you are used to living in Alabama
- The state income tax in RI is 3.75-5.99% compared to 2-5% in AL
- The affluence in Rhode Island is high compared to moderate in Alabama
- The poverty level is moderate in Rhode Island compared to higher in Alabama
- In terms of homelessness, it is lower in Alabama and moderate in Rhode Island
Political and Religious Climate in Alabama vs. Rhode Island
Comparison | Alabama | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative | Liberal |
Local Politics | Republican Dominance | Democratic Dominance |
Religion | Primarily Evangelical Christian | Mixed, with a larger Catholic presence |
- Alabama tends to lean conservative in its political climate
- Rhode Island, on the other hand, is often described as liberal
- Rhode Island's religious environment can be described as mixed, with a larger Catholic presence
- Alabama's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Evangelical Christian
Education Guide When Moving from Alabama to Rhode Island
Comparison | Alabama | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Alabama Auburn University University of South Alabama | Brown University University of Rhode Island Rhode Island School of Design |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Mountain Brook Elementary (Mountain Brook) Vestavia Hills Elementary West (Vestavia Hills) Rock Quarry Elementary (Tuscaloosa) | Rockwell Elementary (Bristol) Nayatt School (Barrington) Community School (Cumberland) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Mountain Brook Junior High (Mountain Brook) Liberty Park Middle School (Vestavia Hills) Berry Middle School (Hoover) | Barrington Middle School (Barrington) Gallagher Middle School (Smithfield) Wickford Middle School (North Kingstown) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School (Montgomery) Mountain Brook High School (Mountain Brook) Bob Jones High School (Madison) | Classical High School (Providence) Barrington High School (Barrington) East Greenwich High School (East Greenwich) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Altamont School (Birmingham) Indian Springs School (Indian Springs Village) Saint James School (Montgomery) | Moses Brown School (Providence) St. George's School (Middletown) Wheeler School (Providence) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Randolph School (Huntsville) The Altamont School (Birmingham) Indian Springs School (Indian Springs Village) | Moses Brown School (Providence) Wheeler School (Providence) Lincoln School (Providence) |
Top 3 School Districts | Mountain Brook City Schools Vestavia Hills City Schools Madison City Schools | Barrington Public Schools East Greenwich Public Schools North Kingstown School District |
How Much Do Alabama to Rhode Island Movers Cost?
Moving 1,227 miles from Alabama to Rhode Island will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 16-24 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: New Latitude Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,898 | 300 ft3 | $6.33 |
1 Bedroom | $2,825 | 450 ft3 | $6.28 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,670 | 750 ft3 | $6.23 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,795 | 1100 ft3 | $6.18 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,803 | 1600 ft3 | $6.13 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,939 | 1800 ft3 | $6.08 |
Top Alabama to Rhode Island Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Alabama to Rhode Island movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.