Maryland to Rhode Island Moving Guide
Updated June 14, 2025

Planning a 371 mile interstate move from Maryland to Rhode Island? This moving guide will help you compare living in Maryland vs Rhode Island across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high traffic congestion vs less crowded roads), food & health (like Crab Cakes vs Clam Cakes), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs colonial, victorian), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Maryland), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Crab Cakes and Fried Chicken, but get your taste buds ready for Clam Cakes & Stuffies (Stuffed Clams)
- Rhode Island housing costs are 9% more expensive than they are in Maryland
- Rent in Rhode Island is 11.57% more expensive than in Maryland
- Moving from Maryland to Rhode Island will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,500
- Our top recommended Maryland to Rhode Island movers is AT Movers
Maryland to Rhode Island Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Maryland to Rhode Island
- High traffic congestion
- Humid summers
- Higher taxes
- Less crowded roads
- Milder summer climate
- Lower property taxes
- Limited industries
- Fewer entertainment options
- Farther from major cities
- Diverse job market
- Cultural attractions
- Proximity to D.C.
Pros of moving from Maryland to Rhode Island
- Say goodbye to high traffic congestion and hello to less crowded roads
- Look forward to moving away from humid summers and moving to Rhode Island with a milder summer climate
- Swap the higher taxes of Maryland for lower property taxes in Rhode Island
Cons of moving from Maryland to Rhode Island
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a diverse job market in Maryland to live with limited industries in Rhode Island
- You'll lose out on the pro of cultural attractions and have to settle for the con of fewer entertainment options
- Time to bid farewell to proximity to D.C. and get used to being farther from major cities in Rhode Island
Maryland vs. Rhode Island: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Maryland | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Crab Cakes | Clam Cakes |
Most popular meat dish | Fried Chicken | Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) |
Most popular street food item | Pit Beef | Calamari |
Most popular vegan food | Black Bean Burger | 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 Maryland to Rhode Island, you will be trading the iconic Crab Cakes of Maryland for the equally delicious Clam Cakes of Rhode Island. And while the locals in Maryland rave about their flavorful Fried Chicken and sumptuous Pit Beef, Rhode Island residents know they have tasty Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) and Calamari to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Black Bean Burger 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 Maryland eateries like Charm City Cakes, Pappas Seafood Co., and L.P. Steamers. 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, Iggy's Doughboys, and Matunuck Oyster Bar.
When comparing lifestyles, Rhode Island shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Maryland. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Rhode Island, compared to what you are used to in Maryland. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Rhode Island.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Maryland and Rhode Island
Comparison | Maryland | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Cape Cod | Colonial, Victorian |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Waterfront, large backyards | Historic properties, close to beaches |
- The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Maryland is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Victorian architecture typical of Rhode Island.
- Compared to Maryland's real estate listings that commonly reference waterfront properties and large backyards, Rhode Island real estate listings often highlight features like historic properties and proximity to beaches.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Rhode Island is more walkable than Maryland.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Rhode Island is more bike-friendly than Maryland.
- Rhode Island has more of an urban feel than Maryland.
- Rhode Island housing costs are 9% more expensive than they are in Maryland, with a median home price of $451,868 compared to Marylandβs $414,972.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Rhode Island have increased by 55% compared to a 33% increase in Maryland.
- Rent in Rhode Island is 11.57% more expensive than in Maryland.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Maryland and Rhode Island
Comparison | Maryland | 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, floods | Nor'easters, blizzards |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 87Β°F / 66Β°F | 82Β°F / 63Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 43Β°F / 29Β°F | 39Β°F / 23Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 44" | 50" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 20" | 33" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Maryland to Rhode Island. Rhode Island gets 5% fewer sunshine days than Maryland.
- Rhode Island has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Maryland.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and floods in Maryland, but be on the lookout for potential nor'easters and blizzards in Rhode Island.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Rhode Island is 5 degrees colder than in Maryland.
- The average winter lows are 6 degrees colder than they are in Maryland.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Rhode Island. Rhode Island receives 6 more inches of rain compared to Maryland.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Maryland and Rhode Island
Comparison | Maryland | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $94,991 | $81,854 |
Cost of Living Index | 124.95 | 123.3 |
State Income Tax | 4.75% - 5.75% | 3.75% - 5.99% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.10% | 1.53% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 7% |
Top 3 Industries | Biotech, IT, Healthcare | Healthcare, Education, Manufacturing |
Affluence | Prosperous | Comfortable |
Poverty | Moderate | Stable |
Homelessness | Manageable | Concerning |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Rhode Island tend to earn about 14% less than in Maryland
- The COLI in Rhode Island will be 1% lower than what you are used to living in Maryland
- The state income tax in RI is 3.75% - 5.99% compared to 4.75% - 5.75% in MD
- The affluence in Rhode Island is comfortable compared to prosperous in Maryland
- The poverty level is stable in Rhode Island compared to moderate in Maryland
- In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in Maryland and concerning in Rhode Island
Political and Religious Climate in Maryland vs. Rhode Island
Comparison | Maryland | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Strongly Democratic |
Local Politics | Mixed, with a tendency towards progressivism in urban areas | Dominantly liberal, especially in cities like Providence |
Religion | Christian majority, with a significant presence of Jewish, Muslim, and other faiths | Primarily Catholic, with diverse religious communities in urban centers |
- Maryland 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 primarily Catholic with diverse religious communities in urban centers
- Maryland's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority with a significant presence of Jewish, Muslim, and other faiths
Education Guide When Moving from Maryland to Rhode Island
Comparison | Maryland | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Maryland Towson University Johns Hopkins University | Brown University University of Rhode Island Rhode Island School of Design |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Fulton Elementary Clarksville; Cold Spring Elementary Potomac; Folger McKinsey Elementary Severna Park | Rockwell Elementary Bristol; Community Elementary Cumberland; Nayatt School Barrington |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Thomas W. Pyle Middle School Bethesda; Burleigh Manor Middle School Ellicott City; Herbert Hoover Middle School Potomac | Barrington Middle School Barrington; Wickford Middle School North Kingstown; Gallagher Middle School Smithfield |
Top 3 High School Schools | Winston Churchill High School Potomac; Walt Whitman High School Bethesda; Centennial High School Ellicott City | Classical High School Providence; Barrington High School Barrington; East Greenwich High School East Greenwich |
Top 3 private high schools | Gilman School Baltimore; McDonogh School Owings Mills; Holton-Arms School Bethesda | Moses Brown School Providence; St. George's School Middletown; Wheeler School Providence |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Sidwell Friends School Bethesda; Friends School of Baltimore Baltimore; Glenelg Country School Ellicott City | The Wheeler School Providence; Moses Brown School Providence; Lincoln School Providence |
Top 3 School Districts | Howard County Public Schools Montgomery County Public Schools Anne Arundel County Public Schools | Barrington Public Schools East Greenwich Public Schools North Kingstown School Department |
How Much Do Maryland to Rhode Island Movers Cost?
Moving 371 miles from Maryland 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: 2-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: AT Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,201 | 300 ft3 | $4.00 |
1 Bedroom | $1,782 | 450 ft3 | $3.96 |
2 Bedrooms | $2,938 | 750 ft3 | $3.92 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,263 | 1100 ft3 | $3.88 |
4 Bedrooms | $6,133 | 1600 ft3 | $3.83 |
5+ Bedrooms | $6,823 | 1800 ft3 | $3.79 |
Top Maryland to Rhode Island Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Maryland to Rhode Island movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.