Rhode Island to Delaware Moving Guide
Updated June 5, 2025

Planning a 353 mile interstate move from Rhode Island to Delaware? This moving guide will help you compare living in Rhode Island vs Delaware across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high property taxes vs lower property taxes), food & health (like Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) vs Scrapple), real estate & housing (colonial vs cape cod), 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 pizza, but get your taste buds ready for Scrapple & Fried chicken
- Delaware housing costs are 15% less expensive than they are in Rhode Island
- Rent in Delaware is 11.08% more affordable than in Rhode Island
- Moving from Rhode Island to Delaware will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,000
- Our top recommended Rhode Island to Delaware movers is SSW Moving & Junk Removal
Rhode Island to Delaware Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Rhode Island to Delaware
- High property taxes
- Sparse job market
- Limited highway access
- Expensive cost of living
- Extreme winter weather
- Lower property taxes
- Diverse job opportunities
- Expansive highway network
- More affordable living
- Milder winters
- Fewer charming towns
- Less historical presence
- Limited cultural activities
- Restricted beach access
- Fewer nature trails
- Charming coastal towns
- Rich historical sites
- Cultural diversity
- Beach access
- Dense forest trails
Pros of moving from Rhode Island to Delaware
- Say goodbye to high property taxes and hello to lower property taxes
- Look forward to moving away from a sparse job market and moving to Delaware with diverse job opportunities
- Swap the limited highway access of Rhode Island for an expansive highway network in Delaware
- Get ready for more affordable living in Delaware
Cons of moving from Rhode Island to Delaware
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from charming coastal towns in Rhode Island to live with fewer charming towns in Delaware
- You'll lose out on the pro of rich historical sites and have to settle for the con of less historical presence
- Time to bid farewell to cultural diversity and get used to limited cultural activities in Delaware
- Swap beach access for restricted beach access
Rhode Island vs. Delaware: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Rhode Island | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) | Scrapple |
Most popular meat dish | Grilled pizza | Fried chicken |
Most popular street food item | Hot wieners | Italian hoagie |
Most popular vegan food | Seaweed salad | Vegan crab cakes |
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 Delaware, you will be trading the iconic Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) of Rhode Island for the equally delicious Scrapple of Delaware. And while the locals in Rhode Island rave about their flavorful Grilled Pizza and sumptuous Hot Wieners, Delaware residents know they have tasty Fried Chicken and Italian Hoagie to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Seaweed Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Crab Cakes of Delaware. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Rhode Island eateries like Al Forno, The Mooring Seafood Kitchen and Bar, and Olneyville New York System. After the boxes are unpacked in Delaware, don't wait too long before making your way to Delaware's acclaimed eateries like Harry's Savoy Grill, Aggie's Roll, and La Pizzeria Metro.
When comparing lifestyles, Delaware shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Rhode Island. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Delaware compared to what you are used to in Rhode Island. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Delaware.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Rhode Island and Delaware
Comparison | Rhode Island | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial | Cape Cod |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Waterfront, Historic Charm | Spacious, Family-Friendly |
- The Colonial architecture that Rhode Island is known for will be replaced with the Cape Cod architecture typical of Delaware.
- Compared to Rhode Island's real estate listings that commonly reference waterfront and historic charm, Delaware real estate listings often highlight features like spacious and family-friendly options.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Delaware is more walkable than Rhode Island.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Delaware is more bike-friendly than Rhode Island.
- Delaware has less of an urban feel than Rhode Island.
- Delaware housing costs are 15% less expensive than they are in Rhode Island, with a median home price of $385,745 compared to Rhode Islandβs $451,868.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Delaware have increased by 42% compared to a 55% increase in Rhode Island.
- Rent in Delaware is 11.08% more affordable than in Rhode Island.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Rhode Island and Delaware
Comparison | Rhode Island | Delaware |
---|---|---|
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, blizzards | Hurricanes, Nor'easters |
Air Quality | Good | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 63Β°F | 87Β°F / 66Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40Β°F / 20Β°F | 45Β°F / 28Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 47 | 45 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 33 | 20 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Rhode Island to Delaware. Delaware gets 2% more sunshine days than Rhode Island.
- Delaware has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Rhode Island.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and blizzards in Rhode Island, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and nor'easters in Delaware.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Delaware is 5 degrees warmer than Rhode Island.
- The average winter lows are 8 degrees warmer than they are in Rhode Island.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Delaware. Delaware receives 2 fewer inches of rain compared to Rhode Island.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Rhode Island and Delaware
Comparison | Rhode Island | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $81,854 | $82,174 |
Cost of Living Index | 123.3 | 102.45 |
State Income Tax | 3.75% - 5.99% | 0% - 6.6% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.53% | 0.59% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7% | 0% |
Top 3 Industries | Health Care, Education, Manufacturing | Finance, Chemical, Retail |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Delaware tend to earn about 0% more than in Rhode Island
- The COLI in Delaware is 17% lower than what you are used to living in Rhode Island
- The state income tax in DE is 0% - 6.6% compared to 3.75% - 5.99% in RI
- The affluence in Delaware is high compared to moderate in Rhode Island
- The poverty level is low in Delaware compared to moderate in Rhode Island
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Rhode Island and low in Delaware
Political and Religious Climate in Rhode Island vs. Delaware
Comparison | Rhode Island | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Democratic | Democratic |
Local Politics | Liberal cities, notably Providence | Liberal lean in Wilmington and Dover |
Religion | Catholic majority | Mixed, with a notable Protestant community |
- Rhode Island tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Delaware, on the other hand, is often described as Democratic
- Delaware's religious environment can be described as mixed, with a notable Protestant community
- Rhode Island's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Catholic majority
Education Guide When Moving from Rhode Island to Delaware
Comparison | Rhode Island | Delaware |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Rhode Island Rhode Island College Brown University | University of Delaware Delaware State University Wilmington University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Rockwell School (Bristol) Nayatt School (Barrington) Hampden Meadows School (Barrington) | Charter School of Wilmington Newark Charter School Sussex Academy |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Barrington Middle School (Barrington) Wickford Middle School (North Kingstown) Portsmouth Middle School (Portsmouth) | Conrad Schools of Science (Wilmington) Alfred G. Waters Middle School (Middletown) Cab Calloway School of the Arts (Wilmington) |
Top 3 High Schools | Classical High School (Providence) Barrington High School (Barrington) East Greenwich High School (East Greenwich) | Charter School of Wilmington (Wilmington) Newark Charter High School (Newark) Sussex Academy (Georgetown) |
Top 3 private high schools | Moses Brown School (Providence) St. George's School (Middletown) The Wheeler School (Providence) | Tower Hill School (Wilmington) St. Andrew's School (Middletown) Sanford School (Hockessin) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Wheeler School (Providence) Moses Brown School (Providence) Lincoln School (Providence) | Tower Hill School (Wilmington) Sanford School (Hockessin) St. Andrew's School (Middletown) |
Top 3 School Districts | Barrington School District East Greenwich School District Narragansett School District | Appoquinimink School District Brandywine School District Cape Henlopen School District |
How Much Do Rhode Island to Delaware Movers Cost?
Moving 353 miles from Rhode Island to Delaware 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
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Keep It - Moving & Labor
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,192 | 300 ft3 | $3.97 |
1 Bedroom | $1,769 | 450 ft3 | $3.93 |
2 Bedrooms | $2,917 | 750 ft3 | $3.89 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,231 | 1100 ft3 | $3.85 |
4 Bedrooms | $6,086 | 1600 ft3 | $3.80 |
5+ Bedrooms | $6,771 | 1800 ft3 | $3.76 |
Top Rhode Island to Delaware Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Rhode Island to Delaware movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

SSW Moving & Junk Removal
Best moving company overall for Rhode Island to Delaware