Rhode Island to Connecticut Moving Guide
Updated June 14, 2025

Planning a 116 mile interstate move from Rhode Island to Connecticut? This moving guide will help you compare living in Rhode Island vs Connecticut across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like limited job market vs broader career opportunities), food & health (like Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) vs White Clam Pizza), real estate & housing (colonial, cottage vs colonial, ranch), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Connecticut), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) and Grilled Portuguese sausage, but get your taste buds ready for White Clam Pizza & Hamburger
- Connecticut housing costs are 13% less expensive than they are in Rhode Island
- Rent in Connecticut is 4.20% more affordable than in Rhode Island
- Moving from Rhode Island to Connecticut will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,000
- Our top recommended Rhode Island to Connecticut movers is Smooth Move & Delivery
Rhode Island to Connecticut Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Rhode Island to Connecticut
- Limited job market
- Higher taxes
- Small geographic area
- Limited public transit
- Broader career opportunities
- More reasonable taxes
- Larger state with variety
- Better transportation options
- Less community feel
- Fewer beach options
- Younger urban development
- Different cuisine styles
- Close-knit communities
- Coastline beauty
- Historic sights
- Culinary scene
Pros of moving from Rhode Island to Connecticut
- Say goodbye to limited job market and hello to broader career opportunities
- Look forward to moving away from higher taxes and moving to Connecticut with more reasonable taxes
- Swap the small geographic area of Rhode Island for a larger state with variety in Connecticut
- Get ready for better transportation options in Connecticut
Cons of moving from Rhode Island to Connecticut
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from close-knit communities in Rhode Island to live with a less community feel in Connecticut
- You'll lose out on the pro of coastline beauty and have to settle for the con of fewer beach options
- Time to bid farewell to historic sights and get used to younger urban development in Connecticut
- Swap the culinary scene for different cuisine styles
Rhode Island vs. Connecticut: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Rhode Island | Connecticut |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) | White Clam Pizza |
Most popular meat dish | Grilled Portuguese sausage | Hamburger |
Most popular street food item | Hot Wiener | Lobster Roll |
Most popular vegan food | Seitan Sandwich | Vegan Sushi |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10) | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10) | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene (out of 10) | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly (out of 10) | 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 Connecticut, you will be trading the iconic Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) of Rhode Island for the equally delicious White Clam Pizza of Connecticut. And while the locals in Rhode Island rave about their flavorful Grilled Portuguese Sausage and sumptuous Hot Wiener, Connecticut residents know they have tasty Hamburger and Lobster Roll to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Seitan Sandwich they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Sushi of Connecticut. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Rhode Island eateries like Al Forno, Hemenwayβs, and Iggyβs Doughboys. After the boxes are unpacked in Connecticut, don't wait too long before making your way to Connecticut's acclaimed eateries like Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, Louis' Lunch, and Abbottβs Lobster in the Rough.
When comparing lifestyles, Connecticut shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Rhode Island. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Connecticut compared to what you are used to in Rhode Island. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Connecticut.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Rhode Island and Connecticut
Comparison | Rhode Island | Connecticut |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Cottage | Colonial, Ranch |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Waterfront Views, Privacy | Easy Commute, Spacious Yards |
- The Colonial and Cottage architecture that Rhode Island is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Ranch architecture typical of Connecticut.
- Compared to Rhode Island's real estate listings that commonly reference waterfront views and privacy, Connecticut real estate listings often highlight features like an easy commute and spacious yards.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Connecticut is more walkable than Rhode Island.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Connecticut is more bike-friendly than Rhode Island.
- Connecticut has more of an urban feel than Rhode Island.
- Connecticut housing costs are 13% less expensive than they are in Rhode Island, with a median home price of $393,802 compared to Rhode Islandβs $451,868.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Connecticut have increased by 55% compared to a 55% increase in Rhode Island.
- Rent in Connecticut is 4.20% more affordable than in Rhode Island.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Rhode Island and Connecticut
Comparison | Rhode Island | Connecticut |
---|---|---|
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, Storms | Hurricanes, Storms, Winter storms |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate to Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 63Β°F | 85Β°F / 62Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40Β°F / 20Β°F | 35Β°F / 18Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 50 | 48 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 33 | 37 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Rhode Island to Connecticut. Connecticut gets 6% fewer sunshine days than Rhode Island.
- Connecticut has lower humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Rhode Island.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and storms in Rhode Island, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes, storms, and winter storms in Connecticut.
- The average summer high temperature in Connecticut is 3 degrees warmer than Rhode Island.
- The average winter lows are 2 degrees colder than they are in Rhode Island.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Connecticut. Connecticut receives 2 fewer inches of rain compared to Rhode Island.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Rhode Island and Connecticut
Comparison | Rhode Island | Connecticut |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $81,854 | $88,429 |
Cost of Living Index | 123.3 | 122.1 |
State Income Tax | 3.75% - 5.99% | 3% - 6.99% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.53% | 2.14% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7% | 6.35% |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Education, Tourism | Finance, Insurance, Manufacturing |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Lower |
Homelessness | Low | Very Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Connecticut tend to earn about 8% more than in Rhode Island
- The COLI in Connecticut will be 1% lower than what you are used to living in Rhode Island
- The state income tax in CT is 3% to 6.99% compared to 3.75% to 5.99% in RI
- The affluence in Connecticut is high compared to moderate in Rhode Island
- The poverty level is lower in Connecticut compared to moderate in Rhode Island
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Rhode Island and very low in Connecticut
Political and Religious Climate in Rhode Island vs. Connecticut
Comparison | Rhode Island | Connecticut |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Lean Democratic |
Local Politics | Local governance tends to be very community-oriented. | Local governance shows a mix of both community orientation and a focus on statewide initiatives. |
Religion | Largely Catholic | More religiously diverse |
- Rhode Island tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Connecticut, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democratic
- Connecticut's religious environment can be described as more religiously diverse
- Rhode Island's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as largely Catholic
Education Guide When Moving from Rhode Island to Connecticut
Comparison | Rhode Island | Connecticut |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | 1. University of Rhode Island 2. Rhode Island College 3. Brown University | 1. University of Connecticut 2. Yale University 3. Connecticut College |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | 1. Rockwell School Bristol 2. Nayatt School Barrington 3. Community School Cumberland | 1. Long Lots School Westport 2. North Mianus School Greenwich 3. International School at Dundee Greenwich |
Top 3 Middle Schools | 1. Barrington Middle School Barrington 2. Wickford Middle School North Kingstown 3. Portsmouth Middle School Portsmouth | 1. Eastern Middle School Greenwich 2. Bedford Middle School Westport 3. Roger Ludlowe Middle School Fairfield |
Top 3 High School Schools | 1. Classical High School Providence 2. Barrington High School Barrington 3. East Greenwich High School East Greenwich | 1. Staples High School Westport 2. Greenwich High School Greenwich 3. Ridgefield High School Ridgefield |
Top 3 private high schools | 1. Moses Brown School Providence 2. St. George's School Middletown 3. The Wheeler School Providence | 1. Choate Rosemary Hall Wallingford 2. The Hotchkiss School Lakeville 3. The Taft School Watertown |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | 1. The Wheeler School Providence 2. Moses Brown School Providence 3. St. George's School Middletown | 1. Greens Farms Academy Westport 2. Brunswick School Greenwich 3. King School Stamford |
Top 3 School Districts | 1. Barrington School District 2. East Greenwich Public Schools 3. Portsmouth School District | 1. Westport School District 2. Greenwich School District 3. New Canaan School District |
How Much Do Rhode Island to Connecticut Movers Cost?
Moving 116 miles from Rhode Island to Connecticut 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: 5-9 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Extra Help Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,078 | 300 ft3 | $3.59 |
1 Bedroom | $1,598 | 450 ft3 | $3.55 |
2 Bedrooms | $2,631 | 750 ft3 | $3.51 |
3 Bedrooms | $3,812 | 1100 ft3 | $3.47 |
4 Bedrooms | $5,477 | 1600 ft3 | $3.42 |
5+ Bedrooms | $6,086 | 1800 ft3 | $3.38 |
Top Rhode Island to Connecticut Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Rhode Island to Connecticut movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Smooth Move & Delivery
Best moving company overall for Rhode Island to Connecticut