Delaware to Rhode Island Moving Guide
Updated June 21, 2025

Planning a 352 mile interstate move from Delaware to Rhode Island? This moving guide will help you compare living in Delaware vs Rhode Island across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons, food & health (like Scrapple vs Clam Cakes), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch 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 Scrapple and Chicken Bog, but get your taste buds ready for Clam Cakes & Stuffies (Stuffed Clams)
- Rhode Island housing costs are 17% more expensive than they are in Delaware
- Rent in Rhode Island is 12.46% more expensive than in Delaware
- Moving from Delaware to Rhode Island will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,000
- Our top recommended Delaware to Rhode Island movers is SSW Moving & Junk Removal
Delaware vs. Rhode Island: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Delaware | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Scrapple | Clam Cakes |
Most popular meat dish | Chicken Bog | Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) |
Most popular street food item | Italian Ice | Hot Wieners |
Most popular vegan food | Mushroom Sandwich | Seaweed Salad |
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 Delaware to Rhode Island, you will be trading the iconic Scrapple of Delaware for the equally delicious Clam Cakes of Rhode Island. And while the locals in Delaware rave about their flavorful Chicken Bog and sumptuous Italian Ice, 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 Mushroom Sandwich 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 Delaware eateries like Deer Park Tavern, The House of William and Merry, and CaffΓ© Gelato. 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's Corner Restaurant, Iggy's Doughboys and Chowder House, and The Duck and Bunny.
When comparing lifestyles, Rhode Island shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Delaware. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Rhode Island, compared to what you are used to in Delaware. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Rhode Island.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Delaware and Rhode Island
Comparison | Delaware | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Ranch | Colonial, Cottage |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, proximity to beaches | Water views, historic charm |
- The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Delaware is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cottage architecture typical of Rhode Island.
- Compared to Delaware's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and proximity to beaches, Rhode Island real estate listings often highlight features like water views and historic charm.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Rhode Island is more walkable than Delaware.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Rhode Island is more bike-friendly than Delaware.
- Rhode Island has more of an urban feel than Delaware.
- Rhode Island housing costs are 17% more expensive than they are in Delaware with a median home price of $451,868 compared to Delawareβs $385,745.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Rhode Island have increased by 55% compared to a 42% increase in Delaware.
- Rent in Rhode Island is 12.46% more expensive than in Delaware.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Delaware and Rhode Island
Comparison | Delaware | 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, Nor'easters | Hurricanes, Blizzards |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85/66 | 82/63 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 45/28 | 39/23 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 45" | 50" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 20" | 33" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Delaware to Rhode Island. Rhode Island gets 1% more sunshine days than Delaware.
- Rhode Island has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Delaware.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and nor'easters in Delaware, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and blizzards in Rhode Island.
- The average summer high temperature in Rhode Island is 3 degrees colder than in Delaware.
- The average winter lows are 5 degrees colder than they are in Delaware.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Rhode Island. Rhode Island receives 5 more inches of rain compared to Delaware.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Delaware and Rhode Island
Comparison | Delaware | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $82,174 | $81,854 |
Cost of Living Index | 102.45 | 123.3 |
State Income Tax | 2.2-6.6 | 3.75-5.99 |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.56 | 1.63 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 0.00 | 7.00 |
Top 3 Industries | Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture | Health Services, Education, Manufacturing |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Rhode Island tend to earn about 0% less than in Delaware
- The COLI in Rhode Island will be 20% higher than what you are used to living in Delaware
- The state income tax in RI is 3.75-5.99 compared to 2.2-6.6 in DE
- The affluence in Rhode Island is moderate compared to moderate in Delaware
- The poverty level is moderate in Rhode Island compared to low in Delaware
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Delaware and moderate in Rhode Island
Political and Religious Climate in Delaware vs. Rhode Island
Comparison | Delaware | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Democratic-leaning | Democratic-leaning |
Local Politics | Liberal urban centers; conservative rural areas | Liberal throughout, with some moderate leanings |
Religion | Christianity predominant, with diverse religious communities | Christianity predominant, notably Catholic; diverse religious presence |
- Delaware tends to lean Democratic-leaning in its political climate
- Rhode Island, on the other hand, is often described as Democratic-leaning
- Rhode Island's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christian, notably Catholic with a diverse religious presence
- Delaware's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christian with diverse religious communities
Education Guide When Moving from Delaware to Rhode Island
Comparison | Delaware | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Delaware Wilmington University Delaware State University | University of Rhode Island Brown University Rhode Island College |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Charter School of Wilmington Newark Charter School Odyssey Charter School | Moses Brown School Lincoln School Wheeler School |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Alfred G. Waters Middle School Cab Calloway School of the Arts H.B. Du Pont Middle School | Gordon School St. Michael's Country Day School Rocky Hill Country Day School |
Top 3 High Schools | Charter School of Wilmington Newark Charter High School Cab Calloway School of the Arts | Classical High School Barrington High School East Greenwich High School |
Top 3 private high schools | Tower Hill School St. Andrew's School The Tatnall School | Moses Brown School The Wheeler School St. George's School |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Tower Hill School St. Andrew's School The Tatnall School | Moses Brown School The Wheeler School Lincoln School |
Top 3 School Districts | Cape Henlopen School District Appoquinimink School District Red Clay Consolidated School District | Barrington School District East Greenwich School District Narragansett School System |
How Much Do Delaware to Rhode Island Movers Cost?
Moving 352 miles from Delaware to Rhode Island will typically cost between $2,000 and $4,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $4,000
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Keep It - Moving & Labor
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,192 | 300 ft3 | $3.97 |
1 Bedroom | $1,768 | 450 ft3 | $3.93 |
2 Bedrooms | $2,916 | 750 ft3 | $3.89 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,229 | 1100 ft3 | $3.84 |
4 Bedrooms | $6,084 | 1600 ft3 | $3.80 |
5+ Bedrooms | $6,768 | 1800 ft3 | $3.76 |
Top Delaware to Rhode Island Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Delaware to Rhode Island movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

SSW Moving & Junk Removal
Best moving company overall for Delaware to Rhode Island