Connecticut to Rhode Island Moving Guide
Updated June 16, 2025

Planning a 116 mile interstate move from Connecticut to Rhode Island? This moving guide will help you compare living in Connecticut vs Rhode Island across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower cost of living), food & health (like Lobster Roll vs Clam Cakes), real estate & housing (colonial vs cottage), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Connecticut), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Lobster Roll and New Haven-style Pizza, but get your taste buds ready for Clam Cakes & Stuffies (Stuffed Quahogs)
- Rhode Island housing costs are 15% more expensive than they are in Connecticut
- Rent in Rhode Island is 4.38% more expensive than in Connecticut
- Moving from Connecticut to Rhode Island will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,000
- Our top recommended Connecticut to Rhode Island movers is Smooth Move & Delivery
Connecticut to Rhode Island Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Connecticut to Rhode Island
- High cost of living
- Traffic congestion
- Limited coastal areas
- Severe winters
- Lower cost of living
- Less traffic
- Beautiful beaches
- Milder winters
- Fewer cultural events
- Smaller urban areas
- Limited universities
- Fewer restaurant options
- Cultural diversity
- Access to big cities
- Quality education
- Local cuisine variety
Pros of moving from Connecticut to Rhode Island
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to the lower cost of living
- Look forward to moving away from traffic congestion and moving to Rhode Island with less traffic
- Swap the limited coastal areas of Connecticut for beautiful beaches in Rhode Island
- Get ready for milder winters in Rhode Island
Cons of moving from Connecticut to Rhode Island
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from cultural diversity in Connecticut to live with fewer cultural events in Rhode Island
- You'll lose out on the pro of access to big cities and have to settle for the con of smaller urban areas
- Time to bid farewell to quality education and get used to limited universities in Rhode Island
- Swap local cuisine variety for fewer restaurant options
Connecticut vs. Rhode Island: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Connecticut | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Lobster Roll | Clam Cakes |
Most popular meat dish | New Haven-style Pizza | Stuffies (Stuffed Quahogs) |
Most popular street food item | Steamed Cheeseburgers | Hot Wieners |
Most popular vegan food | Kale Salad | Seitan Stew |
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 Connecticut to Rhode Island, you will be trading the iconic Lobster Roll of Connecticut for the equally delicious Clam Cakes of Rhode Island. And while the locals in Connecticut rave about their flavorful New Haven-style Pizza and sumptuous Steamed Cheeseburgers, Rhode Island residents know they have tasty Stuffies (Stuffed Quahogs) and Hot Wieners to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Kale Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Seitan Stew of Rhode Island. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Connecticut eateries like Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, Sally's Apizza, and Ted's Restaurant. After the boxes are unpacked in Rhode Island, don't wait too long before making your way to Rhode Island's acclaimed eateries like Iggy's Doughboys and Chowder House, Al Forno Restaurant, and Olneyville New York System.
When comparing lifestyles, Rhode Island shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Connecticut. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Rhode Island, compared to what you are used to in Connecticut. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Rhode Island.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Connecticut and Rhode Island
Comparison | Connecticut | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial | Cottage |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious backyards, historical features | Proximity to beaches, modern updates |
- The Colonial architecture that Connecticut is known for will be replaced with the Cottage architecture typical of Rhode Island.
- Compared to Connecticut's real estate listings, which commonly reference spacious backyards and historical features, Rhode Island real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to beaches and modern updates.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Rhode Island is more walkable than Connecticut.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Rhode Island is more bike-friendly than Connecticut.
- Rhode Island has more of an urban feel than Connecticut.
- Rhode Island housing costs are 15% more expensive than they are in Connecticut, with a median home price of $451,868 compared to Connecticutβs $393,802.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Rhode Island have increased by 55% compared to a 55% increase in Connecticut.
- Rent in Rhode Island is 4.38% more expensive than in Connecticut.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Connecticut and Rhode Island
Comparison | Connecticut | 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 | Snowstorms, Hurricanes | Snowstorms, Hurricanes |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 83/60 | 82/63 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 35/18 | 37/20 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 50 | 48 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 37 | 33 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Connecticut to Rhode Island. Rhode Island gets 4% more sunny days than Connecticut.
- Rhode Island has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Connecticut.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and hurricanes in Connecticut, but be on the lookout for potential snowstorms and hurricanes in Rhode Island.
- The average summer high temperature in Rhode Island is 1 degree colder than in Connecticut.
- The average winter lows in Rhode Island are 2 degrees warmer than they are in Connecticut.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Rhode Island. Rhode Island receives 2 fewer inches of rain compared to Connecticut.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Connecticut and Rhode Island
Comparison | Connecticut | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $88,429 | $81,854 |
Cost of Living Index | 122.1 | 123.3 |
State Income Tax | 3-6.99% | 3.75-5.99% |
Avg. Property Tax | 2.14% | 1.63% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.35% | 7% |
Top 3 Industries | Insurance, Finance, Real Estate | Health Services, Tourism, Education |
Affluence | High | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Rhode Island tend to earn about 7% less than those in Connecticut
- The COLI in Rhode Island will be 1% higher than what you are used to living in Connecticut
- The state income tax in RI is 3.75-5.99% compared to 3-6.99% in CT
- The affluence in Rhode Island is moderate compared to high in Connecticut
- The poverty level is moderate in Rhode Island compared to low in Connecticut
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Connecticut and low in Rhode Island
Political and Religious Climate in Connecticut vs. Rhode Island
Comparison | Connecticut | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Strongly Democratic |
Local Politics | Varied emphasis on economic development and education | Focus on social services and infrastructure |
Religion | Primarily Christian, with a mix of other faiths | Significantly Catholic, with a diverse mix of other religions |
- Connecticut tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Rhode Island, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic
- Rhode Island's religious environment can be described as significantly Catholic, with a diverse mix of other religions
- Connecticut's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Christian, with a mix of other faiths
Education Guide When Moving from Connecticut to Rhode Island
Comparison | Connecticut | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Connecticut Yale University Quinnipiac University | Brown University University of Rhode Island Rhode Island School of Design |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Glenville School (Greenwich) International School at Dundee (Riverside) West School (New Canaan) | Rockwell School (Bristol) Hamilton School (North Kingstown) Nayatt School (Barrington) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Eastern Middle School (Riverside) Middlesex Middle School (Darien) Bedford Middle School (Westport) | Barrington Middle School (Barrington) Wickford Middle School (North Kingstown) Portsmouth Middle School (Portsmouth) |
Top 3 High Schools | Staples High School (Westport) Greenwich High School (Greenwich) Ridgefield High School (Ridgefield) | Classical High School (Providence) Barrington High School (Barrington) East Greenwich High School (East Greenwich) |
Top 3 private high schools | Choate Rosemary Hall (Wallingford) The Hotchkiss School (Lakeville) The Hopkins School (New Haven) | Moses Brown School (Providence) St. George's School (Middletown) Wheeler School (Providence) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Greenwich Country Day School (Greenwich) Kingswood Oxford School (West Hartford) Brunswick School (Greenwich) | Lincoln School (Providence) The Wheeler School (Providence) Rocky Hill Country Day School (East Greenwich) |
Top 3 School Districts | Westport School District Greenwich School District New Canaan School District | Barrington School District East Greenwich School District Narragansett School District |
How Much Do Connecticut to Rhode Island Movers Cost?
Moving 116 miles from Connecticut to Rhode Island will typically cost between $1,500 and $4,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $1,500 - $4,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 5-9 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Extra Help Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,078 | 300 ft3 | $3.59 |
1 Bedroom | $1,598 | 450 ft3 | $3.55 |
2 Bedrooms | $2,631 | 750 ft3 | $3.51 |
3 Bedrooms | $3,812 | 1100 ft3 | $3.47 |
4 Bedrooms | $5,477 | 1600 ft3 | $3.42 |
5+ Bedrooms | $6,086 | 1800 ft3 | $3.38 |
Top Connecticut to Rhode Island Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Connecticut to Rhode Island movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Smooth Move & Delivery
Best moving company overall for Connecticut to Rhode Island