Movers

DC to Rhode Island Moving Guide

Updated June 10, 2025

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Planning a 393 mile interstate move from DC to Rhode Island? This moving guide will help you compare living in DC vs Rhode Island across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like heavy traffic vs less congestion), food & health (like Half-Smoke vs Clam Cakes), real estate & housing (federal and victorian vs colonial and cottage), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in DC), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Half-Smoke and Mumbo Sauce Wings, but get your taste buds ready for Clam Cakes & Stuffies (Stuffed Clams)
  • Rhode Island housing costs are 27% less expensive than they are in DC
  • Rent in Rhode Island is 13.25% more affordable than in DC
  • Moving from DC to Rhode Island will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,500
  • Our top recommended DC to Rhode Island movers is Bookstore Movers

DC to Rhode Island Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from DC to Rhode Island

ConsDC iconDC
  • Heavy traffic
  • High cost of living
  • Summer humidity
  • Political hubbub
ProsRhode Island iconRhode Island
  • Less congestion
  • Affordable housing
  • Milder summers
  • Peaceful environment

Rhode Island iconRhode Island
  • Smaller cultural scene
  • Fewer attractions
  • Limited opportunities
  • Fewer services
DC iconDC
  • Diverse culture
  • Renowned museums
  • Robust job market
  • Access to amenities

Pros of moving from DC to Rhode Island

  • Say goodbye to heavy traffic and hello to less congestion
  • Look forward to moving away from the high cost of living and moving to Rhode Island with affordable housing
  • Swap the summer humidity of DC for milder summers in Rhode Island
  • Get ready for a peaceful environment in Rhode Island

Cons of moving from DC to Rhode Island

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the diverse culture in DC to live with a smaller cultural scene in Rhode Island
  • You'll lose out on the pro of renowned museums and have to settle with the con of fewer attractions
  • Time to bid farewell to a robust job market and get used to limited opportunities in Rhode Island
  • Swap access to amenities for fewer services

DC vs. Rhode Island: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonDCRhode Island
Most iconic local food itemHalf-SmokeClam Cakes
Most popular meat dishMumbo Sauce WingsStuffies (Stuffed Clams)
Most popular street food itemJumbo Slice PizzaHot Wieners
Most popular vegan foodVegan ChiliSeaweed Salad
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Ben's Chili Bowl
  • Zaytinya
  • Rose's Luxury
  • Iggy's Doughboys & Chowder House
  • Al Forno Restaurant
  • Olneyville New York System
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’ŖšŸ’Ŗ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie ScenešŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“šŸ“
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from DC to Rhode Island, you will be trading the iconic Half-Smoke of DC for the equally delicious Clam Cakes of Rhode Island. And while the locals in DC rave about their flavorful Mumbo Sauce Wings and sumptuous Jumbo Slice Pizza, 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 Vegan Chili they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Seaweed Salad of Rhode Island. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic DC eateries like Ben's Chili Bowl, Zaytinya, and Rose's Luxury. 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 DC. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Rhode Island, compared to what you are used to in DC. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Rhode Island.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between DC and Rhode Island

ComparisonDCRhode Island
Typical Architecture StyleFederal and VictorianColonial and Cottage
WalkabilityšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘ŸšŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestylešŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļøšŸ›ļø
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingProximity to metro, historic charmWaterfront access, quiet neighborhoods
  • The Federal and Victorian architecture that DC is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cottage architecture typical of Rhode Island.
  • Compared to DC's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to metro stations and historic charm, Rhode Island real estate listings often highlight features like waterfront access and quiet neighborhoods.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Rhode Island is less walkable than DC.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike, as Rhode Island is less bike-friendly than DC.
  • Rhode Island has less of an urban feel than DC.
  • Rhode Island housing costs are 27% less expensive than they are in DC, with a median home price of $451,868 compared to DC’s $619,320.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Rhode Island have increased by 55% compared to an 8% increase in DC.
  • Rent in Rhode Island is 13.25% more affordable than in DC.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between DC and Rhode Island

ComparisonDCRhode Island
Days of Sunshine per Yearā˜€ļøā˜€ļøā˜€ļøā˜€ļøā˜€ļøā˜€ļøā˜€ļøā˜€ļøā˜€ļøā˜€ļø
Avg. Annual HumidityšŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦šŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļøšŸ•¶ļø
Natural DisastersThunderstorms, occasional hurricanesStorms, rare hurricanes
Air QualityModerateGood
Average Summer High/Low (°F)89/7183/63
Average Winter High/Low (°F)47/2940/20
Annual Rainfall (Inches)40.847.2
Annual Snowfall (Inches)15.533.8
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from DC to Rhode Island. Rhode Island gets 0% fewer sunshine days than DC.
  • Rhode Island has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to DC.
  • Say goodbye to the possible thunderstorms and occasional hurricanes in DC, but be on the lookout for potential storms and rare hurricanes in Rhode Island.
  • Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Rhode Island is 6 degrees colder than in DC.
  • The average winter lows are 9 degrees colder than they are in DC.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Rhode Island. Rhode Island receives 6.4 more inches of rain compared to DC.

Financial & Community Snapshot: DC and Rhode Island

ComparisonDCRhode Island
Avg. Household Income$101,027$81,854
Cost of Living Index140.1123.3
State Income Tax8.5%5.99%
Avg. Property Tax0.56%1.53%
Avg. Sales Tax6.00%7.00%
Top 3 IndustriesGovernment, Education, TourismHealthcare, Education, Manufacturing
AffluenceHighModerate
PovertyModerateModerate
HomelessnessPressingNotable
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Rhode Island tend to earn about 19% less than those in DC
  • The COLI in Rhode Island will be 12% lower than what you are used to living in DC
  • The state income tax in RI is 5.99% compared to 8.5% in DC
  • The affluence in Rhode Island is moderate compared to high in DC
  • The poverty level is moderate in Rhode Island compared to moderate in DC
  • In terms of homelessness, it is pressing in DC and notable in Rhode Island

Political and Religious Climate in DC vs. Rhode Island

ComparisonDCRhode Island
Political Make-upStrongly DemocraticLeans Democratic
Local PoliticsFocused on federal government and international diplomacyConcentrated on maritime, education, and healthcare sectors
ReligionVaried, with a notable Catholic presencePredominantly Catholic
  • DC tends to lean strongly Democratic in its political climate
  • Rhode Island, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democratic
  • Rhode Island's religious environment can be described as predominantly Catholic
  • DC's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as varied, with a notable Catholic presence

Education Guide When Moving from DC to Rhode Island

ComparisonDCRhode Island
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Maryland
George Washington University
Howard University
Brown University
University of Rhode Island
Rhode Island School of Design
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsJanney Elementary
Eaton Elementary
Mann Elementary
Lincoln School (Providence)
Moses Brown School (Providence)
Wheeler School (Providence)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsDeal Middle School
Hardy Middle School
Alice Deal Middle School
Gordon School (East Providence)
St. Michael's Country Day School (Newport)
Wheeler School (Providence)
Top 3 High SchoolsWilson High School
School Without Walls High School
Banneker High School
Classical High School (Providence)
Barrington High School (Barrington)
East Greenwich High School (East Greenwich)
Top 3 private high schoolsSidwell Friends School
Georgetown Preparatory School
National Cathedral School
Moses Brown School
St. George's School (Middletown)
Lincoln School
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsSidwell Friends School
Georgetown Day School
Maret School
Moses Brown School
St. George's School
Wheeler School
Top 3 School DistrictsDC Public SchoolsBarrington Public Schools
East Greenwich Public Schools
Newport Public Schools

How Much Do DC to Rhode Island Movers Cost?

Moving 393 miles from DC to Rhode Island will typically cost between $2,000 and $4,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,000 - $4,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Mic's Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,211300 ft3$4.04
1 Bedroom$1,798450 ft3$4.00
2 Bedrooms$2,965750 ft3$3.95
3 Bedrooms$4,3021100 ft3$3.91
4 Bedrooms$6,1891600 ft3$3.87
5+ Bedrooms$6,8861800 ft3$3.83

Top DC to Rhode Island Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best DC to Rhode Island movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Bookstore Movers featured image

Bookstore Movers

Best moving company overall for DC to Rhode Island

9.60/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Mic's Moving featured image

Mic's Moving

9.60/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Ap Pro Moving Llc featured image

Ap Pro Moving Llc

9.44/10
ExceptionalView details
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