New Jersey to Rhode Island Moving Guide
Updated June 22, 2025

Planning a 243 mile interstate move from New Jersey to Rhode Island? This moving guide will help you compare living in New Jersey vs Rhode Island across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high property taxes vs lower property taxes), food & health (like Taylor Ham/Pork Roll vs Calamari), real estate & housing (colonial, victorian vs cottage, colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in New Jersey), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Taylor Ham/Pork Roll and Italian Hot Dogs, but get your taste buds ready for Calamari & Stuffies (Stuffed Clams)
- Rhode Island housing costs are 12% less expensive than they are in New Jersey
- Rent in Rhode Island is 15.09% more affordable than in New Jersey
- Moving from New Jersey to Rhode Island will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,000
- Our top recommended New Jersey to Rhode Island movers is Big G Movers, INC
New Jersey to Rhode Island Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from New Jersey to Rhode Island
- High property taxes
- Traffic congestion
- Dense population
- Expensive cost of living
- Limited coastal access
- Lower property taxes
- Less crowded roads
- Fewer residents
- More affordable cost of living
- Beautiful beaches
- Limited public transit
- Fewer dining options
- Less urban sprawl
- Further from major cities
- Less frequent events
- Great public transport
- Diverse restaurant scene
- Vibrant cities
- Proximity to NYC and Philly
- Variety of cultural events
Pros of moving from New Jersey to Rhode Island
- Say goodbye to high property taxes and hello to lower property taxes
- Look forward to moving away from traffic congestion and moving to Rhode Island with less crowded roads
- Swap the dense population of New Jersey for fewer residents in Rhode Island
- Get ready for a more affordable cost of living in Rhode Island
Cons of moving from New Jersey to Rhode Island
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from great public transport in New Jersey to live with limited public transit in Rhode Island
- You'll lose out on the pro of a diverse restaurant scene and have to settle for the con of fewer dining options
- Time to bid farewell to vibrant cities and get used to less urban sprawl in Rhode Island
- Swap proximity to NYC and Philly for being further from major cities
New Jersey vs. Rhode Island: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | New Jersey | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Taylor Ham/Pork Roll | Calamari |
Most popular meat dish | Italian Hot Dogs | Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) |
Most popular street food item | Salt Water Taffy | Delβs Lemonade |
Most popular vegan food | Vegan Pizza | Vegan Lobster Roll |
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 New Jersey to Rhode Island, you will be trading the iconic Taylor Ham/Pork Roll of New Jersey for the equally delicious Calamari of Rhode Island. And while the locals in New Jersey rave about their flavorful Italian Hot Dogs and sumptuous Salt Water Taffy, Rhode Island residents know they have tasty Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) and Delβs Lemonade to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Pizza they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Lobster Roll of Rhode Island. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic New Jersey eateries like Carlo's Bakery, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, and Razza Pizza Artigianale. 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, Hemenwayβs Seafood Grill and Oyster Bar, and The Duck and Bunny.
When comparing lifestyles, Rhode Island shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than New Jersey. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Rhode Island compared to what you are used to in New Jersey. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Rhode Island.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New Jersey and Rhode Island
Comparison | New Jersey | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Victorian | Cottage, Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Proximity to NYC, Large Yards | Ocean Views, Small-town Charm |
- The Colonial and Victorian architecture that New Jersey is known for will be replaced with the Cottage and Colonial architecture typical of Rhode Island.
- Compared to New Jersey's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to NYC and large yards, Rhode Island real estate listings often highlight features like ocean views and small-town charm.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Rhode Island is more walkable than New Jersey.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Rhode Island is more bike-friendly than New Jersey.
- Rhode Island has more of an urban feel than New Jersey.
- Rhode Island housing costs are 12% less expensive than they are in New Jersey, with a median home price of $451,868 compared to New Jerseyβs $512,908.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Rhode Island have increased by 55% compared to a 50% increase in New Jersey.
- Rent in Rhode Island is 15.09% more affordable than in New Jersey.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New Jersey and Rhode Island
Comparison | New Jersey | 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, Winter storms |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85/66 | 82/63 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40/25 | 37/22 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 47 | 50 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 23 | 33 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from New Jersey to Rhode Island. Rhode Island gets 2% fewer sunshine days than New Jersey.
- Rhode Island has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to New Jersey.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and nor'easters in New Jersey, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and winter storms in Rhode Island.
- The average summer high temperature in Rhode Island is 3 degrees colder than in New Jersey.
- The average winter lows are 3 degrees colder than they are in New Jersey.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Rhode Island. Rhode Island receives 3 more inches of rain compared to New Jersey.
Financial & Community Snapshot: New Jersey and Rhode Island
Comparison | New Jersey | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $96,346 | $81,854 |
Cost of Living Index | 129.7 | 123.3 |
State Income Tax | 1.4 - 10.75 | 3.75 - 5.99 |
Avg. Property Tax | 2.47 | 1.53 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.625 | 7.0 |
Top 3 Industries | Finance, Pharmaceuticals, IT | Healthcare, Education, Tourism |
Affluence | Prosperous | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Rhode Island tend to earn about 15% less than in New Jersey
- The COLI in Rhode Island will be 5% lower than what you are used to living in New Jersey
- The state income tax in RI is 3.75% to 5.99% compared to 1.4% to 10.75% in NJ
- The affluence in Rhode Island is moderate compared to prosperous in New Jersey
- The poverty level is moderate in Rhode Island compared to low in New Jersey
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in New Jersey and low in Rhode Island
Political and Religious Climate in New Jersey vs. Rhode Island
Comparison | New Jersey | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Leans Democratic | Leans Democratic |
Local Politics | Diverse, with a mix of urban and suburban influences | Community-centric, with maritime and historical influences |
Religion | Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim communities | Predominantly Catholic, followed by Protestant and other religions |
- New Jersey tends to lean 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, followed by Protestant and other religions
- New Jersey's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim communities
Education Guide When Moving from New Jersey to Rhode Island
Comparison | New Jersey | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Rutgers University The College of New Jersey Princeton University | University of Rhode Island Brown University Rhode Island College |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Littlebrook Elementary School (Princeton) Wandell School (Saddle River) Moss School (Metuchen) | Rockwell Elementary School (Bristol) Nayatt School (Barrington) Hampden Meadows School (Barrington) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Thomas R. Grover Middle School (Princeton) Community Middle School (Plainsboro) Briarcliff Middle School (Mountain Lakes) | Barrington Middle School (Barrington) Wickford Middle School (North Kingstown) Lincoln School (Providence) |
Top 3 High School Schools | High Technology High School (Lincroft) Bergen County Academies (Hackensack) Princeton High School (Princeton) | Classical High School (Providence) Barrington High School (Barrington) East Greenwich High (East Greenwich) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Lawrenceville School (Lawrenceville) The Pingry School (Basking Ridge) Newark Academy (Livingston) | Moses Brown School (Providence) St. George's School (Middletown) The Wheeler School (Providence) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Princeton Day School (Princeton) The Pingry School (Basking Ridge) Newark Academy (Livingston) | Moses Brown School (Providence) The Wheeler School (Providence) Lincoln School (Providence) |
Top 3 School Districts | Princeton Public Schools Millburn Township School District Summit Public Schools | Barrington Public Schools East Greenwich Public Schools North Kingstown School District |
How Much Do New Jersey to Rhode Island Movers Cost?
Moving 243 miles from New Jersey 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: 3-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Express Haulers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,139 | 300 ft3 | $3.80 |
1 Bedroom | $1,690 | 450 ft3 | $3.75 |
2 Bedrooms | $2,784 | 750 ft3 | $3.71 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,037 | 1100 ft3 | $3.67 |
4 Bedrooms | $5,804 | 1600 ft3 | $3.63 |
5+ Bedrooms | $6,453 | 1800 ft3 | $3.58 |
Top New Jersey to Rhode Island Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best New Jersey to Rhode Island movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Big G Movers, INC
Best moving company overall for New Jersey to Rhode Island