California to Rhode Island Moving Guide
Updated June 6, 2025

Planning a 3,079 mile interstate move from California to Rhode Island? This moving guide will help you compare living in California vs Rhode Island across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs more affordable housing), food & health (like Sourdough Bread vs Stuffies (Stuffed Clams)), real estate & housing (modern, spanish vs colonial, victorian), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in California), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Sourdough Bread and Tri-tip Barbecue, but get your taste buds ready for Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) & Clam Cakes
- Rhode Island housing costs are 42% less expensive than they are in California
- Rent in Rhode Island is 23.65% more affordable than in California
- Moving from California to Rhode Island will cost on average between $3,000 - $10,500
- Our top recommended California to Rhode Island movers is OCD Moving Services LLC
Top California to Rhode Island Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best California to Rhode Island movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

OCD Moving Services LLC
Best moving company overall for California to Rhode Island

Pure Moving

Murdock's Moving & Hauling Inc.
California to Rhode Island Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from California to Rhode Island
- High cost of living
- Traffic congestion
- Earthquake risks
- Water shortages
- More affordable housing
- Less traffic congestion
- Fewer natural disasters
- Abundant water resources
- Colder winters
- Fewer cultural events
- Fewer tech opportunities
- Limited coastline
- Mild climate
- Vibrant cultural scene
- Innovative tech hubs
- Ocean coastline
Pros of moving from California to Rhode Island
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to more affordable housing
- Look forward to moving away from traffic congestion and moving to Rhode Island with less traffic congestion
- Swap the earthquake risks of California for fewer natural disasters in Rhode Island
- Get ready for abundant water resources in Rhode Island
Cons of moving from California to Rhode Island
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the mild climate in California to live with colder winters in Rhode Island
- You'll lose out on the pro of a vibrant cultural scene and have to settle with the con of fewer cultural events
- Time to bid farewell to innovative tech hubs and get used to fewer tech opportunities in Rhode Island
- Swap the ocean coastline for a limited coastline
California vs. Rhode Island: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | California | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Sourdough Bread | Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) |
Most popular meat dish | Tri-tip Barbecue | Clam Cakes |
Most popular street food item | Tacos | Hot Wieners |
Most popular vegan food | Avocado Toast | Vegan Lobster Roll |
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 California to Rhode Island, you will be trading the iconic Sourdough Bread of California for the equally delicious Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) of Rhode Island. And while the locals in California rave about their flavorful Tri-tip Barbecue and sumptuous Tacos, Rhode Island residents know they have tasty Clam Cakes and Hot Wieners to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Avocado Toast they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Lobster Roll of Rhode Island. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic California eateries like Chez Panisse, The French Laundry, and In-N-Out Burger. 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 The Modern Bistro.
When comparing lifestyles, Rhode Island shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than California. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Rhode Island, compared to what you are used to in California. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Rhode Island.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between California and Rhode Island
Comparison | California | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Modern, Spanish | Colonial, Victorian |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Pool, Open floor plan | Waterfront, Historic details |
- The Modern and Spanish architecture that California is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Victorian architecture typical of Rhode Island.
- Compared to California's real estate listings which commonly reference pools and open floor plans, Rhode Island real estate listings often highlight features like waterfront properties and historic details.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Rhode Island is more walkable than California.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Rhode Island is more bike-friendly than California.
- Rhode Island has less of an urban feel than California.
- Rhode Island housing costs are 42% less expensive than they are in California, with a median home price of $451,868 compared to Californiaβs $783,666.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Rhode Island have increased by 55% compared to a 42% increase in California.
- Rent in Rhode Island is 23.65% more affordable than in California.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between California and Rhode Island
Comparison | California | 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 | Earthquakes, Wildfires | Snowstorms, Hurricanes |
Air Quality | Varies Greatly | Generally Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F/55Β°F | 82Β°F/63Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 60Β°F/45Β°F | 40Β°F/20Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 22 | 50 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0-200 (varies greatly by region) | 33 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from California to Rhode Island. Rhode Island gets 30% fewer sunshine days than California.
- Rhode Island has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to California.
- Say goodbye to the possible earthquakes and wildfires in California, but be on the lookout for potential snowstorms and hurricanes in Rhode Island.
- The average summer high temperature in Rhode Island is 3 degrees colder than in California.
- The average winter lows are 25 degrees colder than they are in California.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Rhode Island. Rhode Island receives 28 more inches of rain compared to California.
Financial & Community Snapshot: California and Rhode Island
Comparison | California | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $91,551 | $81,854 |
Cost of Living Index | 136.4 | 123.3 |
State Income Tax | 13.3 | 5.99 |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.73 | 1.63 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.25 | 7.00 |
Top 3 Industries | Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture | Healthcare, Education, Manufacturing |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | High | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Rhode Island tend to earn about 11% less than in California
- The COLI in Rhode Island will be 10% lower than what you are used to living in California
- The state income tax in RI is 5.99 compared to 13.3 in CA
- The affluence in Rhode Island is moderate compared to high in California
- The poverty level is low in Rhode Island compared to moderate in California
- In terms of homelessness, it is high in California and low in Rhode Island
Political and Religious Climate in California vs. Rhode Island
Comparison | California | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Liberal/Democratic majority | Liberal/Democratic majority |
Local Politics | Diverse, with a strong progressive influence in urban areas | More homogenously Democratic, with local politics heavily leaning towards liberal policies |
Religion | Highly diverse, with no single dominant religion | Predominantly Catholic, but with growing diversity |
- California tends to lean Liberal/Democratic majority in its political climate
- Rhode Island, on the other hand, is often described as a Liberal/Democratic majority
- Rhode Island's religious environment can be described as predominantly Catholic but with growing diversity
- California's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as highly diverse with no single dominant religion
Education Guide When Moving from California to Rhode Island
Comparison | California | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | UCLA UC Berkeley Stanford University | Brown University University of Rhode Island Rhode Island School of Design |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Orion Alternative (Redwood City) Mill Valley Middle School (Mill Valley) Montecito Union (Santa Barbara) | Rockwell Elementary (Bristol) Nayatt School (Barrington) Community Elementary School (Cumberland) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Mill Valley Middle School (Mill Valley) The Girls Middle School (Palo Alto) Preuss School UCSD (La Jolla) | Barrington Middle School (Barrington) Wickford Middle School (North Kingstown) Lincoln Middle School (Lincoln) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Henry M. Gunn High School (Palo Alto) California Academy of Mathematics and Science (Carson) Lynbrook High School (San Jose) | Classical High School (Providence) Barrington High School (Barrington) East Greenwich High (East Greenwich) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Thacher School (Ojai) Harvard-Westlake School (Los Angeles) The Webb Schools (Claremont) | Moses Brown School (Providence) The Wheeler School (Providence) St. George's School (Middletown) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Harker School (San Jose) Crossroads School (Santa Monica) Chadwick School (Palos Verdes Peninsula) | Gordon School (East Providence) The Wheeler School (Providence) Lincoln School (Providence) |
Top 3 School Districts | Palo Alto Unified Los Altos School District San Marino Unified | Barrington Public Schools East Greenwich Public Schools Lincoln School District |
How Much Do California to Rhode Island Movers Cost?
Moving 3,079 miles from California to Rhode Island will typically cost between $4,500 and $10,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $4,500 - $10,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-7.5 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: CC Relocation, Inc.
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,948 | 300 ft3 | $9.83 |
1 Bedroom | $4,400 | 450 ft3 | $9.78 |
2 Bedrooms | $7,295 | 750 ft3 | $9.73 |
3 Bedrooms | $10,645 | 1100 ft3 | $9.68 |
4 Bedrooms | $15,403 | 1600 ft3 | $9.63 |
5+ Bedrooms | $17,238 | 1800 ft3 | $9.58 |