Rhode Island to Florida Moving Guide
Updated June 23, 2025

Planning a 1,310 mile interstate move from Rhode Island to Florida? This moving guide will help you compare living in Rhode Island vs Florida across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like higher cost of living vs lower living costs), food & health (like Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) vs Key Lime Pie), real estate & housing (colonial, victorian vs spanish revival, mediterranean), 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 Key Lime Pie & Cuban Sandwich
- Florida housing costs are 12% less expensive than they are in Rhode Island
- Rent in Florida is 6.88% more expensive than in Rhode Island
- Moving from Rhode Island to Florida will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Rhode Island to Florida movers is Sebastian Moving and More
Rhode Island to Florida Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Rhode Island to Florida
- Higher cost of living
- Harsh winters
- Limited job market
- Small state size
- Less diverse nightlife
- Lower living costs
- Warm winters
- Diverse job opportunities
- Larger state with variety
- Vibrant nightlife
- Transient communities
- Newer developments
- Flat landscapes
- Large urban areas
- Hot summers
- Close-knit communities
- Rich history
- Scenic coastal views
- Charming small towns
- Mild summers
Pros of moving from Rhode Island to Florida
- Say goodbye to the higher cost of living and hello to lower living costs
- Look forward to moving away from harsh winters and moving to Florida with warm winters
- Swap the limited job market of Rhode Island for diverse job opportunities in Florida
- Get ready for a larger state with variety in Florida
Cons of moving from Rhode Island to Florida
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from close-knit communities in Rhode Island to live with transient communities in Florida
- You'll lose out on the pro of rich history and have to settle for the con of newer developments
- Time to bid farewell to scenic coastal views and get used to flat landscapes in Florida
- Swap charming small towns for large urban areas
Rhode Island vs. Florida: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Rhode Island | Florida |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) | Key Lime Pie |
Most popular meat dish | Grilled Pizza | Cuban Sandwich |
Most popular street food item | Hot Wieners | Fish Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Kale Caesar Salad | Jackfruit Tacos |
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 Florida, you will be trading the iconic Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) of Rhode Island for the equally delicious Key Lime Pie of Florida. And while the locals in Rhode Island rave about their flavorful Grilled Pizza and sumptuous Hot Wieners, Florida residents know they have tasty Cuban Sandwich and Fish Tacos to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Kale Caesar Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Jackfruit Tacos of Florida. 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 Los Andes Restaurant. After the boxes are unpacked in Florida, don't wait too long before making your way to Florida's acclaimed eateries like Joe's Stone Crab, Bern's Steak House, and Versailles Restaurant.
When comparing lifestyles, Florida shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Rhode Island. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Florida compared to what you are used to in Rhode Island. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Florida.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Rhode Island and Florida
Comparison | Rhode Island | Florida |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Victorian | Spanish Revival, Mediterranean |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Waterfront, Historic Charm | Ocean View, Gated Community |
- The Colonial and Victorian architecture that Rhode Island is known for will be replaced with the Spanish Revival and Mediterranean architecture typical of Florida.
- Compared to Rhode Island's real estate listings that commonly reference waterfront and historic charm, Florida real estate listings often highlight features like ocean views and gated communities.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Florida is less walkable than Rhode Island.
- Florida is similarly bike-friendly to Rhode Island.
- Florida has less of an urban feel than Rhode Island.
- Florida housing costs are 12% less expensive than they are in Rhode Island, with a median home price of $397,137 compared to Rhode Islandβs $451,868.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Florida have increased by 66% compared to a 55% increase in Rhode Island.
- Rent in Florida is 6.88% more expensive than in Rhode Island.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Rhode Island and Florida
Comparison | Rhode Island | Florida |
---|---|---|
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, Nor'easters | Hurricanes, Tropical Storms |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 63Β°F | 90Β°F / 75Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40Β°F / 20Β°F | 70Β°F / 48Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 50" | 53" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 34" | 0" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Rhode Island to Florida. Florida gets 19% more sunshine days than Rhode Island.
- Florida has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Rhode Island.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and nor'easters in Rhode Island, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and tropical storms in Florida.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Florida is 8 degrees warmer than Rhode Island.
- The average winter lows are 28 degrees warmer than they are in Rhode Island.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Florida. Florida receives 3 more inches of rain compared to Rhode Island.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Rhode Island and Florida
Comparison | Rhode Island | Florida |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $81,854 | $69,303 |
Cost of Living Index | 123.3 | 97.8 |
State Income Tax | 3.75% - 5.99% | 0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.53% | 0.83% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.0% | 6.0% |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Education, Manufacturing | Tourism, Agriculture, Aerospace |
Affluence | Moderate | Varied |
Poverty | Manageable | Pronounced |
Homelessness | Low | Challenging |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Florida tend to earn about 15% less than in Rhode Island
- The COLI in Florida is 21% lower than what you are used to living in Rhode Island
- Hooray, moving to FL means you'll no longer have state income taxes
- The affluence in Florida is varied compared to moderate in Rhode Island
- The poverty level is pronounced in Florida compared to manageable in Rhode Island
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Rhode Island and challenging in Florida
Political and Religious Climate in Rhode Island vs. Florida
Comparison | Rhode Island | Florida |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Primarily Democratic | Swing State, currently leans Republican |
Local Politics | Liberal-leaning policies in urban areas | Mixed; liberal in urban areas, conservative in rural |
Religion | Largely Catholic | Diverse; significant Catholic, Protestant, and non-affiliated populations |
- Rhode Island tends to lean primarily Democratic in its political climate
- Florida, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state, currently leaning Republican
- Florida's religious environment can be described as diverse with significant Catholic, Protestant, and non-affiliated populations
- Rhode Island's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as largely Catholic
Education Guide When Moving from Rhode Island to Florida
Comparison | Rhode Island | Florida |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Rhode Island Rhode Island College Brown University | University of Florida Florida State University University of Central Florida |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Rockwell Elementary Barrington; Hamilton Elementary North Kingstown; Nayatt School Barrington | Pine View School Osprey; Southside Elementary Sarasota; Freedom 7 Elementary Cocoa Beach |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Barrington Middle Barrington; Wickford Middle North Kingstown; Portsmouth Middle Portsmouth | Bak Middle School of the Arts West Palm Beach; Archimedean Middle Conservatory Miami; Pine View School Osprey |
Top 3 High Schools | Classical High School Providence; Barrington High Barrington; East Greenwich High East Greenwich | Pine View School Osprey; Stanton College Preparatory Jacksonville; Design and Architecture Senior High Miami |
Top 3 private high schools | Moses Brown School Providence; St. George's School Middletown; The Wheeler School Providence | Bolles School Jacksonville; American Heritage School Plantation; Pine Crest School Fort Lauderdale |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Lincoln School Providence; The Wheeler School Providence; Moses Brown School Providence | The Sagemont School Weston; North Broward Preparatory School Coconut Creek; American Heritage School Plantation |
Top 3 School Districts | Barrington School District; East Greenwich Public Schools; Portsmouth School District | St. Johns County School District; Sarasota County Schools; Okaloosa County Schools |
How Much Do Rhode Island to Florida Movers Cost?
Moving 1,310 miles from Rhode Island to Florida will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 3-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Veteran Moving Group
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,653 | 300 ft3 | $5.51 |
1 Bedroom | $2,461 | 450 ft3 | $5.47 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,070 | 750 ft3 | $5.43 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,922 | 1100 ft3 | $5.38 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,546 | 1600 ft3 | $5.34 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,538 | 1800 ft3 | $5.30 |
Top Rhode Island to Florida Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Rhode Island to Florida movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Sebastian Moving and More
Best moving company overall for Rhode Island to Florida