Rhode Island to DC Moving Guide
Updated June 17, 2025

Planning a 391 mile interstate move from Rhode Island to DC? This moving guide will help you compare living in Rhode Island vs DC across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like limited job market vs thriving job market), food & health (like Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) vs Half-Smoke), real estate & housing (colonial, victorian vs row houses, federal), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in DC), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) and Clam Cakes, but get your taste buds ready for Half-Smoke & Mumbo Sauce Wings
- DC housing costs are 37% more expensive than they are in Rhode Island
- Rent in DC is 15.28% more expensive than in Rhode Island
- Moving from Rhode Island to DC will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,500
- Our top recommended Rhode Island to DC movers is Bookstore Movers
Rhode Island to DC Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Rhode Island to DC
- Limited job market
- Higher taxes
- Few public transport options
- Harsh winters
- Slower pace of life
- Thriving job market
- More cultural events
- Extensive metro system
- Milder winters
- Vibrant city life
- No beaches
- High cost of living
- Busy lifestyle
- Heavy traffic congestion
- Fewer historical sites
- Scenic coastlines
- Quaint small towns
- Close-knit community
- Lesser traffic
- Rich colonial history
Pros of moving from Rhode Island to DC
- Say goodbye to limited job market and hello to thriving job market
- Look forward to moving away from higher taxes and moving to DC with more cultural events
- Swap the few public transport options of Rhode Island for extensive metro system in DC
- Get ready for milder winters in DC
Cons of moving from Rhode Island to DC
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from scenic coastlines in Rhode Island to live with no beaches in DC
- You'll lose out on the pro of quaint small towns and have to settle for the con of high cost of living
- Time to bid farewell to close-knit community and get used to busy lifestyle in DC
- Swap lesser traffic for heavy traffic congestion
Rhode Island vs. DC: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Rhode Island | DC |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) | Half-Smoke |
Most popular meat dish | Clam Cakes | Mumbo Sauce Wings |
Most popular street food item | Delβs Lemonade | Food Trucks (Diverse Cuisine) |
Most popular vegan food | Vegan Lobster Rolls | Vegan Soul Food |
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 DC, you will be trading the iconic Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) of Rhode Island for the equally delicious Half-Smoke of DC. And while the locals in Rhode Island rave about their flavorful Clam Cakes and sumptuous Delβs Lemonade, DC residents know they have tasty Mumbo Sauce Wings and Food Trucks (Diverse Cuisine) to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Lobster Rolls they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Soul Food of DC. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Rhode Island eateries like Al Forno, Los Andes, and The Avery. After the boxes are unpacked in DC, don't wait too long before making your way to DC's acclaimed eateries like Ben's Chili Bowl, Zaytinya, and Le Diplomate.
When comparing lifestyles, DC shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Rhode Island. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in DC, compared to what you are used to in Rhode Island. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in DC.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Rhode Island and DC
Comparison | Rhode Island | DC |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Victorian | Row houses, Federal |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Waterfront, Historic charm | Proximity to metro, Modern amenities |
- The Colonial and Victorian architecture that Rhode Island is known for will be replaced with the row houses and Federal architecture typical of DC.
- Compared to Rhode Island's real estate listings that commonly reference waterfront and historic charm, DC real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to the metro and modern amenities.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. DC is more walkable than Rhode Island.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. DC is more bike-friendly than Rhode Island.
- DC has more of an urban feel than Rhode Island.
- DC housing costs are 37% more expensive than they are in Rhode Island, with a median home price of $619,320 compared to Rhode Islandβs $451,868.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in DC have increased 8% compared to a 55% increase in Rhode Island.
- Rent in DC is 15.28% more expensive than in Rhode Island.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Rhode Island and DC
Comparison | Rhode Island | DC |
---|---|---|
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 | Heatwaves, Hurricanes |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 63Β°F | 89Β°F / 71Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40Β°F / 20Β°F | 47Β°F / 28Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 47" | 40" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 33" | 22" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Rhode Island to DC. DC gets 0% more sunshine days than Rhode Island.
- DC has lower 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 heatwaves and hurricanes in DC.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in DC is 7 degrees warmer than Rhode Island.
- The average winter lows are 8 degrees warmer than those in Rhode Island.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in DC. DC receives 7 fewer inches of rain compared to Rhode Island.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Rhode Island and DC
Comparison | Rhode Island | DC |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $81,854 | $101,027 |
Cost of Living Index | 123.3 | 140.1 |
State Income Tax | 5.99% | 4%-10.75% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.63% | 0.56% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Education, Manufacturing | Government, Education, Professional Services |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Noticeable |
Homelessness | Low | High |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in DC tend to earn about 23% more than in Rhode Island
- The COLI in DC will be 14% higher than what you are used to living in Rhode Island
- The state income tax in DC is 4% to 10.75% compared to 5.99% in RI
- The affluence in DC is high compared to moderate affluence in Rhode Island
- The poverty level is noticeable in DC compared to moderate poverty in Rhode Island
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Rhode Island and high in DC
Political and Religious Climate in Rhode Island vs. DC
Comparison | Rhode Island | DC |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Democratic-majority | Democratic-majority |
Local Politics | Liberal policies; strong union influence | Highly liberal politics; significant federal impact |
Religion | Primarily Catholic | Diverse, with no single dominating faith |
- Rhode Island tends to lean Democratic-majority in its political climate
- DC, on the other hand, is often described as Democratic-majority
- DC's religious environment can be described as diverse, with no single dominating faith
- Rhode Island's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Catholic
Education Guide When Moving from Rhode Island to DC
Comparison | Rhode Island | DC |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Rhode Island Brown University Rhode Island College | Georgetown University George Washington University Howard University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Rockwell Elementary Barrington Community School Cumberland Hamilton Elementary North Kingstown | Lafayette Elementary Chevy Chase Mann Elementary Wesley Heights Janney Elementary Tenleytown |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Barrington Middle Barrington Wickford Middle North Kingstown Gaudet Middle Middletown | Deal Middle School Forest Hills Hardy Middle School Georgetown Eliot-Hine Middle School Capitol Hill |
Top 3 High School Schools | Classical High Providence Barrington High Barrington East Greenwich High East Greenwich | Wilson High School Tenleytown School Without Walls High School Foggy Bottom Banneker High School Shaw |
Top 3 private high schools | Moses Brown Providence St. George's School Middletown Lincoln School Providence | Georgetown Day School Tenleytown Sidwell Friends School Cleveland Park National Cathedral School Cathedral Heights |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Wheeler School Providence Lincoln School Providence Moses Brown School Providence | Georgetown Day School Tenleytown Sidwell Friends School Cleveland Park St. Albans School Mount St. Alban |
Top 3 School Districts | Barrington Public Schools East Greenwich Public Schools North Kingstown School District | DC Public Schools |
How Much Do Rhode Island to DC Movers Cost?
Moving 391 miles from Rhode Island to DC 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: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Mic's Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,211 | 300 ft3 | $4.04 |
1 Bedroom | $1,797 | 450 ft3 | $3.99 |
2 Bedrooms | $2,963 | 750 ft3 | $3.95 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,298 | 1100 ft3 | $3.91 |
4 Bedrooms | $6,184 | 1600 ft3 | $3.87 |
5+ Bedrooms | $6,881 | 1800 ft3 | $3.82 |
Top Rhode Island to DC Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Rhode Island to DC movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.