Pennsylvania to Rhode Island Moving Guide
Updated June 24, 2025

Planning a 361 mile interstate move from Pennsylvania to Rhode Island? This moving guide will help you compare living in Pennsylvania vs Rhode Island across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Philly Cheesesteak vs Stuffies), real estate & housing (colonial, dutch colonial 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 Philly Cheesesteak and Pork and Sauerkraut, but get your taste buds ready for Stuffies & Clam Cakes
- Rhode Island housing costs are 73% more expensive than they are in Pennsylvania
- Rent in Rhode Island is 40.28% more expensive than in Pennsylvania
- Moving from Pennsylvania to Rhode Island will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,000
- Our top recommended Pennsylvania to Rhode Island movers is Pittsburgh Moving
Pennsylvania to Rhode Island Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Pennsylvania to Rhode Island
- Harsh winters
- Higher taxes
- Rural isolation
- Limited coastline
- Industrial areas
- Milder winters
- Lower taxes
- Urban amenities
- Stunning beaches
- Picturesque landscapes
- Higher cost of living
- Smaller state
- Limited public transport
- Higher property prices
- Limited rural areas
- Rich history
- Nature parks
- Diverse culture
- Affordable housing
- Family-friendly areas
Pros of moving from Pennsylvania to Rhode Island
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from higher taxes and moving to Rhode Island with lower taxes
- Swap the rural isolation of Pennsylvania for urban amenities in Rhode Island
- Get ready for stunning beaches in Rhode Island
Cons of moving from Pennsylvania to Rhode Island
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the rich history in Pennsylvania to live with a higher cost of living in Rhode Island
- You'll lose out on the pro of nature parks and have to settle with the con of a smaller state
- Time to bid farewell to diverse culture and get used to limited public transport in Rhode Island
- Swap affordable housing for higher property prices
Pennsylvania vs. Rhode Island: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Philly Cheesesteak | Stuffies |
Most popular meat dish | Pork and Sauerkraut | Clam Cakes |
Most popular street food item | Pretzels | Hot Wieners |
Most popular vegan food | Mushroom Soup | 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 Pennsylvania to Rhode Island, you will be trading the iconic Philly Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania for the equally delicious Stuffies of Rhode Island. And while the locals in Pennsylvania rave about their flavorful Pork and Sauerkraut and sumptuous Pretzels, Rhode Island residents know they have tasty Clam Cakes and Hot Wieners to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Mushroom Soup 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 Pennsylvania eateries like Zahav, Morimoto, and Reading Terminal Market. 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, The White Horse Tavern, and Los Andes.
When comparing lifestyles, Rhode Island shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Pennsylvania. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Rhode Island compared to what you are used to in Pennsylvania. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Rhode Island.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Pennsylvania and Rhode Island
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Dutch Colonial | Colonial, Victorian |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious backyards, historic detail | Coastal views, proximity to amenities |
- The Colonial and Dutch Colonial architecture that Pennsylvania is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Victorian architecture typical of Rhode Island.
- Compared to Pennsylvania's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious backyards and historic detail, Rhode Island real estate listings often highlight features like coastal views and proximity to amenities.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Rhode Island is more walkable than Pennsylvania.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Rhode Island is more bike-friendly than Pennsylvania.
- Rhode Island has more of an urban feel than Pennsylvania.
- Rhode Island housing costs are 73% more expensive than they are in Pennsylvania, with a median home price of $451,868 compared to Pennsylvaniaβs $261,312.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Rhode Island have increased 55% compared to a 43% increase in Pennsylvania.
- Rent in Rhode Island is 40.28% more expensive than in Pennsylvania.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Pennsylvania and Rhode Island
Comparison | Pennsylvania | 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 | Snowstorms, Floods | Hurricanes, Nor'easters |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85/62 | 82/63 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 37/20 | 39/22 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 42 | 47 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 38 | 33 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Pennsylvania to Rhode Island. Rhode Island gets 13% more sunshine days than Pennsylvania.
- Rhode Island has higher humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Pennsylvania.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and floods in Pennsylvania, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and nor'easters in Rhode Island.
- The average summer high temperature in Rhode Island is 3 degrees colder than in Pennsylvania.
- The average winter lows are 2 degrees warmer than they are in Pennsylvania.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Rhode Island. Rhode Island receives 5 more inches of rain compared to Pennsylvania.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Pennsylvania and Rhode Island
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $71,798 | $81,854 |
Cost of Living Index | 99.7 | 123.3 |
State Income Tax | 3.07% | 3.75% - 5.99% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.58% | 1.24% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.34% | 7.00% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Agribusiness, Energy | Healthcare, Education, Manufacturing |
Affluence | Moderate | Relative |
Poverty | Manageable | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Noticeable |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Rhode Island tend to earn about 14% more than in Pennsylvania
- The COLI in Rhode Island will be 24% higher than what you are used to living in Pennsylvania
- The state income tax in RI is 3.75% - 5.99% compared to 3.07% in PA
- The affluence in Rhode Island is relative compared to moderate in Pennsylvania
- The poverty level is moderate in Rhode Island compared to manageable in Pennsylvania
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Pennsylvania and noticeable in Rhode Island
Political and Religious Climate in Pennsylvania vs. Rhode Island
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Swing state, with mix of Democratic and Republican support | Strongly Democratic |
Local Politics | Mixture of urban Democratic areas and rural Republican regions | Largely Democratic across urban and rural areas |
Religion | Christian majority, with diverse religious communities | Largely Catholic, with diverse religious communities |
- Pennsylvania tends to lean swing state, with a mix of Democratic and Republican support 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 largely Catholic, with diverse religious communities
- Pennsylvania's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority, with diverse religious communities
Education Guide When Moving from Pennsylvania to Rhode Island
Comparison | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Penn State University University of Pittsburgh Temple University | Brown University University of Rhode Island Rhode Island School of Design |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Marshall Elementary School (Wexford) Hillside Elementary School (Berwyn) Bradford Heights Elementary School (Downingtown) | Rockwell Elementary School (Bristol) Nayatt School (Barrington) Community School (Cumberland) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Haverford Middle School (Havertown) Radnor Middle School (Wayne) Welsh Valley Middle School (Narberth) | Barrington Middle School (Barrington) Wickford Middle School (North Kingstown) Archie R. Cole Middle School (East Greenwich) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Julia R. Masterman Secondary School (Philadelphia) Conestoga High School (Berwyn) Central High School (Philadelphia) | Classical High School (Providence) Barrington High School (Barrington) East Greenwich High School (East Greenwich) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Baldwin School (Bryn Mawr) The Haverford School (Haverford) Shady Side Academy (Pittsburgh) | Moses Brown School (Providence) St. George's School (Middletown) Wheeler School (Providence) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Friends' Central School (Wynnewood) Germantown Friends School (Philadelphia) The Shipley School (Bryn Mawr) | Lincoln School (Providence) Wheeler School (Providence) Moses Brown School (Providence) |
Top 3 School Districts | Tredyffrin-Easttown School District Radnor Township School District Lower Merion School District | Barrington School District East Greenwich Public Schools Cumberland School District |
How Much Do Pennsylvania to Rhode Island Movers Cost?
Moving 361 miles from Pennsylvania 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
- Expected Time To Complete: 1-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: U-Relax Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,196 | 300 ft3 | $3.99 |
1 Bedroom | $1,775 | 450 ft3 | $3.94 |
2 Bedrooms | $2,926 | 750 ft3 | $3.90 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,245 | 1100 ft3 | $3.86 |
4 Bedrooms | $6,107 | 1600 ft3 | $3.82 |
5+ Bedrooms | $6,794 | 1800 ft3 | $3.77 |
Top Pennsylvania to Rhode Island Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Pennsylvania to Rhode Island movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Pittsburgh Moving
Best moving company overall for Pennsylvania to Rhode Island