Colorado to Rhode Island Moving Guide
Updated June 4, 2025

Planning a 2,002 mile interstate move from Colorado to Rhode Island? This moving guide will help you compare living in Colorado vs Rhode Island across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like altitude discomfort vs sea level comfort), food & health (like Rocky Mountain Oysters vs Stuffies (Stuffed Clams)), real estate & housing (mountain, modern 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 Rocky Mountain Oysters and Bison Burgers, but get your taste buds ready for Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) & Clam Cakes
- Rhode Island housing costs are 18% less expensive than they are in Colorado
- Rent in Rhode Island is 2.71% more expensive than in Colorado
- Moving from Colorado to Rhode Island will cost on average between $2,500 - $8,500
- Our top recommended Colorado to Rhode Island movers is Movemasters, Inc.
Colorado to Rhode Island Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Colorado to Rhode Island
- Altitude discomfort
- High sales tax
- Wildfire risks
- Scarce seafood
- Moderate summers
- Sea level comfort
- Lower sales tax
- Lower fire risk
- Seafood abundance
- Mild coastal climate
- No mountain landscape
- Less hiking options
- Fewer local brews
- More cloudy days
- Fewer large events
- Stunning mountain views
- Outdoor recreation
- Craft beer scene
- Plentiful sunshine
- Rich cultural festivals
Pros of moving from Colorado to Rhode Island
- Say goodbye to altitude discomfort and hello to sea level comfort
- Look forward to moving away from high sales tax and moving to Rhode Island with lower sales tax
- Swap the wildfire risks of Colorado for lower fire risk in Rhode Island
- Get ready for seafood abundance in Rhode Island
Cons of moving from Colorado to Rhode Island
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from stunning mountain views in Colorado to live with no mountain landscape in Rhode Island
- You'll lose out on the pro of outdoor recreation and have to settle with the con of fewer hiking options
- Time to bid farewell to the craft beer scene and get used to fewer local brews in Rhode Island
- Swap plentiful sunshine for more cloudy days
Colorado vs. Rhode Island: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Colorado | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Rocky Mountain Oysters | Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) |
Most popular meat dish | Bison Burgers | Clam Cakes |
Most popular street food item | Breakfast Burritos | Hot Wieners |
Most popular vegan food | Quinoa Salad | Del's Lemonade |
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 Colorado to Rhode Island, you will be trading the iconic Rocky Mountain Oysters of Colorado for the equally delicious Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) of Rhode Island. And while the locals in Colorado rave about their flavorful Bison Burgers and sumptuous Breakfast Burritos, Rhode Island residents know they have tasty Clam Cakes and Hot Wieners to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Quinoa Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Del's Lemonade of Rhode Island. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Colorado eateries like Casa Bonita, Frasca Food and Wine, and The Buckhorn Exchange. 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, Hemenway's, and Iggy's Doughboys and Chowder House.
When comparing lifestyles, Rhode Island shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Colorado. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Rhode Island, compared to what you are used to in Colorado. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Rhode Island.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Colorado and Rhode Island
Comparison | Colorado | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Mountain, Modern | Colonial, Cottage |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | "Mountain views", "Outdoor space" | "Beach access", "Historic homes" |
- The Mountain and Modern architecture that Colorado is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cottage architecture typical of Rhode Island.
- Compared to Colorado's real estate listings that commonly reference 'mountain views' and 'outdoor space', Rhode Island real estate listings often highlight features like 'beach access' and 'historic homes'.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Rhode Island is more walkable than Colorado.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Rhode Island is less bike-friendly than Colorado.
- Rhode Island has more of an urban feel than Colorado.
- Rhode Island housing costs are 18% less expensive than they are in Colorado, with a median home price of $451,868 compared to Coloradoβs $549,126.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Rhode Island have increased 55% compared to a 40% increase in Colorado.
- Rent in Rhode Island is 2.71% more expensive than in Colorado.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Colorado and Rhode Island
Comparison | Colorado | 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 | Wildfires, Blizzards | Hurricanes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F/60Β°F | 82Β°F/63Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 45Β°F/18Β°F | 40Β°F/20Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 15.6 | 47.0 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 53.8 | 33.8 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Colorado to Rhode Island. Rhode Island gets 18% fewer sunshine days than Colorado.
- Rhode Island has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Colorado.
- Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and blizzards in Colorado, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and floods in Rhode Island.
- The average summer high temperature in Rhode Island is 3 degrees colder than in Colorado.
- The average winter lows are 2 degrees warmer than they are in Colorado.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Rhode Island. Rhode Island receives 31.4 more inches of rain compared to Colorado.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Colorado and Rhode Island
Comparison | Colorado | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $89,302 | $81,854 |
Cost of Living Index | 98.3 | 123.3 |
State Income Tax | 4.55% | 3.75% to 5.99% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.51% | 1.53% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 2.9% to 11.2% | 7% |
Top 3 Industries | Technology, Real Estate, Tourism | Education, Healthcare, Manufacturing |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Rhode Island tend to earn about 8% less than in Colorado
- The COLI in Rhode Island will be 25% higher than what you are used to living in Colorado
- The state income tax in RI is 3.75% to 5.99% compared to 4.55% in CO
- The affluence in Rhode Island is moderate compared to high in Colorado
- The poverty level is moderate in Rhode Island compared to low in Colorado
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Colorado and low in Rhode Island
Political and Religious Climate in Colorado vs. Rhode Island
Comparison | Colorado | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Moderately diverse, leaning slightly liberal | Strongly liberal |
Local Politics | Mixed, with both Democratic and Republican strongholds | Dominantly Democratic |
Religion | Less religious overall, with a mix of Protestant, Catholic, and non-affiliated | Heavily Catholic, with other Christian denominations also present |
- Colorado tends to lean moderately diverse and slightly liberal in its political climate
- Rhode Island, on the other hand, is often described as strongly liberal
- Rhode Island's religious environment can be described as heavily Catholic with other Christian denominations also present
- Colorado's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as less religious overall with a mix of Protestant, Catholic, and non-affiliated
Education Guide When Moving from Colorado to Rhode Island
Comparison | Colorado | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Colorado at Boulder Colorado State University University of Denver | Brown University University of Rhode Island Rhode Island School of Design |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Bromwell Elementary Denver; Cory Elementary Denver; Parker Core Knowledge Parker | Rockwell Elementary Bristol; Nayatt School Barrington; Community School Cumberland |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Kinard Core Knowledge Middle School Fort Collins; Summit Middle Charter Boulder; Denver School of the Arts Denver | Barrington Middle School Barrington; Wickford Middle School North Kingstown; Gallagher Middle School Smithfield |
Top 3 High School Schools | Cherry Creek High School Greenwood Village; Fairview High School Boulder; Grandview High School Aurora | Classical High School Providence; Barrington High School Barrington; East Greenwich High East Greenwich |
Top 3 private high schools | Colorado Academy Denver; The Kent Denver School Englewood; Fountain Valley School Colorado Springs | Moses Brown School Providence; St. George's School Middletown; Lincoln School Providence |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Aspen Academy Greenwood Village; Vail Mountain School Vail; The Colorado Springs School Colorado Springs | Wheeler School Providence; Gordon School East Providence; Rocky Hill Country Day School East Greenwich |
Top 3 School Districts | Cherry Creek School District Douglas County School District Boulder Valley School District | Barrington School District East Greenwich Public Schools Cumberland School Department |
How Much Do Colorado to Rhode Island Movers Cost?
Moving 2,002 miles from Colorado to Rhode Island will typically cost between $3,500 and $8,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,500 - $8,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: The Move Caddies
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,337 | 300 ft3 | $7.79 |
1 Bedroom | $3,484 | 450 ft3 | $7.74 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,769 | 750 ft3 | $7.69 |
3 Bedrooms | $8,406 | 1100 ft3 | $7.64 |
4 Bedrooms | $12,147 | 1600 ft3 | $7.59 |
5+ Bedrooms | $13,575 | 1800 ft3 | $7.54 |
Top Colorado to Rhode Island Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Colorado to Rhode Island movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Movemasters, Inc.
Best moving company overall for Colorado to Rhode Island