Rhode Island to Alabama Moving Guide
Updated June 22, 2025

Planning a 1,229 mile interstate move from Rhode Island to Alabama? This moving guide will help you compare living in Rhode Island vs Alabama across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs mild winters), food & health (like Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) vs Barbecue Ribs), real estate & housing (colonial vs antebellum), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Rhode Island), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) and Grilled Portuguese Sausages, but get your taste buds ready for Barbecue Ribs & Pulled Pork
- Alabama housing costs are 50% less expensive than they are in Rhode Island
- Rent in Alabama is 29.18% more affordable than in Rhode Island
- Moving from Rhode Island to Alabama will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
- Our top recommended Rhode Island to Alabama movers is MoveDaddy
Rhode Island to Alabama Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Rhode Island to Alabama
- Harsh winters
- High cost of living
- Dense population
- Limited land
- Heavy traffic
- Mild winters
- Lower cost of living
- More space
- More outdoor activities
- Less congestion
- No ocean nearby
- Fewer landmarks
- Less diversity
- Limited food variety
- Fewer top-ranking schools
- Ocean access
- Historic sites
- Cultural diversity
- International cuisine
- Educational institutions
Pros of moving from Rhode Island to Alabama
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to mild winters
- Look forward to moving away from the high cost of living and moving to Alabama with a lower cost of living
- Swap the dense population of Rhode Island for more space in Alabama
- Get ready for more outdoor activities in Alabama
Cons of moving from Rhode Island to Alabama
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from ocean access in Rhode Island to live with no ocean nearby in Alabama
- You'll lose out on the pro of historic sites and have to settle for the con of fewer landmarks
- Time to bid farewell to cultural diversity and get used to less diversity in Alabama
- Swap international cuisine for a limited food variety
Rhode Island vs. Alabama: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Rhode Island | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) | Barbecue Ribs |
Most popular meat dish | Grilled Portuguese Sausages | Pulled Pork |
Most popular street food item | Clam Cakes | Southern Fried Catfish |
Most popular vegan food | Vegetable Primavera | Black-Eyed Pea Hummus |
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 Rhode Island to Alabama, you will be trading the iconic Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) of Rhode Island for the equally delicious Barbecue Ribs of Alabama. And while the locals in Rhode Island rave about their flavorful Grilled Portuguese Sausages and sumptuous Clam Cakes, Alabama residents know they have tasty Pulled Pork and Southern Fried Catfish to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegetable Primavera they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Black-Eyed Pea Hummus of Alabama. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Rhode Island eateries like Al Forno, The White Horse Tavern, and Hemenway's. After the boxes are unpacked in Alabama, don't wait too long before making your way to Alabama's acclaimed eateries like Highlands Bar and Grill, Saw's BBQ, and Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q.
When comparing lifestyles, Alabama shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Rhode Island. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Alabama compared to what you are used to in Rhode Island. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Alabama.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Rhode Island and Alabama
Comparison | Rhode Island | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial | Antebellum |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most Popular Items Mentioned in Real Estate Listing | Proximity to Water | Large Yards and Space |
- The Colonial architecture that Rhode Island is known for will be replaced with the Antebellum architecture typical of Alabama.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Alabama is less walkable than Rhode Island.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Alabama is less bike-friendly than Rhode Island.
- Alabama has less of an urban feel than Rhode Island.
- Alabama housing costs are 50% less expensive than they are in Rhode Island, with a median home price of $226,045 compared to Rhode Islandβs $451,868.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Alabama have increased by 45% compared to a 55% increase in Rhode Island.
- Rent in Alabama is 29.18% more affordable than in Rhode Island.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Rhode Island and Alabama
Comparison | Rhode Island | Alabama |
---|---|---|
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 | Blizzards, Hurricanes | Hurricanes, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 63Β°F | 90Β°F / 72Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40Β°F / 25Β°F | 57Β°F / 36Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 47" | 56" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 33" | 2" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Rhode Island to Alabama. Alabama gets 5% more sunshine days than Rhode Island.
- Alabama has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Rhode Island.
- Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and hurricanes in Rhode Island, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and tornadoes in Alabama.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Alabama is 8 degrees warmer than Rhode Island.
- The average winter lows in Alabama are 11 degrees warmer than they are in Rhode Island.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Alabama. Alabama receives 9 more inches of rain compared to Rhode Island.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Rhode Island and Alabama
Comparison | Rhode Island | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $81,854 | $59,674 |
Cost of Living Index | 123.3 | 91.2 |
State Income Tax | 3.75 - 5.99% | 2 - 5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.63% | 0.40% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7% | 9% |
Top 3 Industries | Education, Healthcare, Manufacturing | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Aerospace |
Affluence | Moderate | Modest |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Alabama tend to earn about 27% less than those in Rhode Island
- The COLI in Alabama will be 26% lower than what you are used to living in Rhode Island
- The state income tax in AL is 2 - 5% compared to 3.75 - 5.99% in RI
- The affluence in Alabama is modest compared to moderate affluence in Rhode Island
- The poverty level is moderate in Alabama compared to low poverty in Rhode Island
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Rhode Island and moderate in Alabama
Political and Religious Climate in Rhode Island vs. Alabama
Comparison | Rhode Island | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Lean Republican |
Local Politics | Progressive values | Conservative values |
Religion | Catholic majority | Protestant majority |
- Rhode Island tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Alabama, on the other hand, is often described as lean Republican
- Alabama's religious environment can be described as Protestant majority
- Rhode Island's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Catholic majority
Education Guide When Moving from Rhode Island to Alabama
Comparison | Rhode Island | Alabama |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Rhode Island Brown University Rhode Island College | University of Alabama Auburn University University of South Alabama |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Rockwell Elementary Barrington; Nayatt School Barrington; Community School Cumberland | Mountain Brook Elementary Mountain Brook; Vestavia Hills Elementary West Vestavia Hills; Creek View Elementary School Alabaster |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Barrington Middle School Barrington; Wickford Middle School North Kingstown; Gallagher Middle School Smithfield | Mountain Brook Junior High Mountain Brook; Liberty Park Middle School Vestavia Hills; Berry Middle School Hoover |
Top 3 High Schools | Classical High School Providence; Barrington High School Barrington; East Greenwich High East Greenwich | Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School Montgomery; Mountain Brook High School Mountain Brook; Bob Jones High School Madison |
Top 3 private high schools | Moses Brown School Providence; Wheeler School Providence; St. George's School Middletown | The Altamont School Birmingham; Indian Springs School Indian Springs; Randolph School Huntsville |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Lincoln School Providence; Rocky Hill Country Day School East Greenwich; The Wheeler School Providence | Indian Springs School Indian Springs; The Altamont School Birmingham; Randolph School Huntsville |
Top 3 School Districts | Barrington Public Schools; East Greenwich Public Schools; Cumberland School District | Mountain Brook City Schools; Vestavia Hills City Schools; Madison City Schools |
How Much Do Rhode Island to Alabama Movers Cost?
Moving 1,229 miles from Rhode Island to Alabama will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 16-24 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: New Latitude Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,899 | 300 ft3 | $6.33 |
1 Bedroom | $2,826 | 450 ft3 | $6.28 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,673 | 750 ft3 | $6.23 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,799 | 1100 ft3 | $6.18 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,809 | 1600 ft3 | $6.13 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,945 | 1800 ft3 | $6.08 |
Top Rhode Island to Alabama Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Rhode Island to Alabama movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.