Florida to Rhode Island Moving Guide
Updated June 16, 2025

Planning a 1,307 mile interstate move from Florida to Rhode Island? This moving guide will help you compare living in Florida vs Rhode Island across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons, food & health (like Key Lime Pie vs Stuffies (Stuffed Clams)), real estate & housing (spanish colonial, modern vs colonial, victorian), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Rhode Island), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Key Lime Pie and Cuban Sandwich, but get your taste buds ready for Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) & Grilled Pizza
- Rhode Island housing costs are 14% more expensive than they are in Florida
- Rent in Rhode Island is 6.44% more affordable than in Florida
- Moving from Florida to Rhode Island will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Florida to Rhode Island movers is Sebastian Moving and More
Florida vs. Rhode Island: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Florida | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Key Lime Pie | Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) |
Most popular meat dish | Cuban Sandwich | Grilled Pizza |
Most popular street food item | Cuban Sandwich | Hot Wieners |
Most popular vegan food | Mango Avocado 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 Florida to Rhode Island, you will be trading the iconic Key Lime Pie of Florida for the equally delicious Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) of Rhode Island. And while the locals in Florida rave about their flavorful Cuban Sandwich & sumptuous Cuban Sandwich, Rhode Island residents know they have tasty Grilled Pizza and Hot Wieners to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Mango Avocado 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 Florida eateries like Joe's Stone Crab, Versailles Restaurant, and Bern's Steak House. 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, Twin Oaks, and Hemenway's.
When comparing lifestyles, Rhode Island shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Florida. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Rhode Island, compared to what you are used to in Florida. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Rhode Island.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Florida and Rhode Island
Comparison | Florida | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Spanish Colonial, Modern | Colonial, Victorian |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Pool, Waterfront | Historic Details, Waterfront |
- The Spanish Colonial and Modern architecture that Florida is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Victorian architecture typical of Rhode Island.
- Compared to Florida's real estate listings that commonly reference pools and waterfronts, Rhode Island real estate listings often highlight features like historic details and waterfronts.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Rhode Island is more walkable than Florida.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Rhode Island is more bike-friendly than Florida.
- Rhode Island has more of an urban feel than Florida.
- Rhode Island housing costs are 14% more expensive than they are in Florida, with a median home price of $451,868 compared to Floridaβs $397,137.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Rhode Island have increased by 55% compared to a 66% increase in Florida.
- Rent in Rhode Island is 6.44% more affordable than in Florida.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Florida and Rhode Island
Comparison | Florida | 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, Tropical Storms | Blizzards, Nor'easters |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 90Β°F / 75Β°F | 82Β°F / 63Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 70Β°F / 48Β°F | 40Β°F / 20Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 50" | 47" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 0" | 33.8" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Florida to Rhode Island. Rhode Island gets 16% fewer sunshine days than Florida.
- Rhode Island has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Florida.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and tropical storms in Florida, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and nor'easters in Rhode Island.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Rhode Island is 8 degrees colder than in Florida.
- The average winter lows in Rhode Island are 28 degrees colder than they are in Florida.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Rhode Island. Rhode Island receives 3 fewer inches of rain compared to Florida.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Florida and Rhode Island
Comparison | Florida | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $69,303 | $81,854 |
Cost of Living Index | 97.8 | 123.3 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 3.75%-5.99% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.83% | 1.63% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 7% |
Top 3 Industries | Tourism, Agriculture, Aerospace | Health Services, Education, Manufacturing |
Affluence | Moderate | Above Average |
Poverty | Moderate | Below Average |
Homelessness | Common | Less Common |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Rhode Island tend to earn about 18% more than those in Florida
- The COLI in Rhode Island will be 26% higher than what you are used to living in Florida
- Bummer... By moving from FL to RI, you'll now have a state income tax of 3.75% to 5.99%
- The affluence in Rhode Island is above average compared to moderate affluence in Florida
- The poverty level is below average in Rhode Island compared to moderate poverty in Florida
- In terms of homelessness, it is common in Florida and less common in Rhode Island
Political and Religious Climate in Florida vs. Rhode Island
Comparison | Florida | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed, with a slight lean towards conservatism | Primarily liberal |
Local Politics | Varies by region, with urban areas leaning liberal and rural areas more conservative | Largely Democratic, with strong union presence |
Religion | Diverse, with Christianity being predominant | Primarily Christian, with a significant Catholic majority |
- Florida tends to lean mixed, with a slight lean towards conservatism in its political climate
- Rhode Island, on the other hand, is often described as primarily liberal
- Rhode Island's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian, with a significant Catholic majority
- Florida's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as diverse, with Christianity being predominant
Education Guide When Moving from Florida to Rhode Island
Comparison | Florida | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Florida Florida State University University of Central Florida | Brown University University of Rhode Island Providence College |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Pine View School - Osprey Freedom 7 Elementary School of International Studies - Cocoa Beach Somerset Academy Miramar - Miramar | Rockwell Elementary School - Bristol Community Elementary School - Cumberland Nayatt School - Barrington |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Bak Middle School of the Arts - West Palm Beach Archimedean Middle Conservatory - Miami Fairview Middle School - Tallahassee | Barrington Middle School - Barrington Moses Brown School - Providence Gallagher Middle School - North Scituate |
Top 3 High School Schools | Stanton College Preparatory - Jacksonville Design and Architecture Senior High School - Miami Pine View School - Osprey | Classical High School - Providence Barrington High School - Barrington East Greenwich High - East Greenwich |
Top 3 private high schools | Ransom Everglades School - Coconut Grove The Bolles School - Jacksonville Berkeley Preparatory School - Tampa | Moses Brown School - Providence Wheeler School - Providence Lincoln School - Providence |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | American Heritage School - Plantation Pine Crest School - Fort Lauderdale North Broward Preparatory School - Coconut Creek | Moses Brown School - Providence Wheeler School - Providence The St. George's School - Middletown |
Top 3 School Districts | St. Johns County School District - St. Augustine Sarasota County Schools - Sarasota Okaloosa County School District - Fort Walton Beach | Barrington School District - Barrington East Greenwich Public Schools - East Greenwich Lincoln School District - Lincoln |
How Much Do Florida to Rhode Island Movers Cost?
Moving 1,307 miles from Florida to Rhode Island will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 3-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Veteran Moving Group
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,652 | 300 ft3 | $5.51 |
1 Bedroom | $2,459 | 450 ft3 | $5.46 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,066 | 750 ft3 | $5.42 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,917 | 1100 ft3 | $5.38 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,538 | 1600 ft3 | $5.34 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,529 | 1800 ft3 | $5.29 |
Top Florida to Rhode Island Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Florida to Rhode Island movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sebastian Moving and More
Best moving company overall for Florida to Rhode Island