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Rhode Island to Florida Moving Guide

Updated June 23, 2025

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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

ConsRhode Island iconRhode Island
  • Higher cost of living
  • Harsh winters
  • Limited job market
  • Small state size
  • Less diverse nightlife
ProsFlorida iconFlorida
  • Lower living costs
  • Warm winters
  • Diverse job opportunities
  • Larger state with variety
  • Vibrant nightlife

Florida iconFlorida
  • Transient communities
  • Newer developments
  • Flat landscapes
  • Large urban areas
  • Hot summers
Rhode Island iconRhode Island
  • 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

ComparisonRhode IslandFlorida
Most iconic local food itemStuffies (Stuffed Clams)Key Lime Pie
Most popular meat dishGrilled PizzaCuban Sandwich
Most popular street food itemHot WienersFish Tacos
Most popular vegan foodKale Caesar SaladJackfruit Tacos
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Al Forno
  • The White Horse Tavern
  • Los Andes Restaurant
  • Joe's Stone Crab
  • Bern's Steak House
  • Versailles Restaurant
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10)πŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10)🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene (out of 10)🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly (out of 10)🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

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

ComparisonRhode IslandFlorida
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, VictorianSpanish Revival, Mediterranean
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingWaterfront, Historic CharmOcean 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 Island’s $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

ComparisonRhode IslandFlorida
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersSnowstorms, Nor'eastersHurricanes, Tropical Storms
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)82Β°F / 63Β°F90Β°F / 75Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)40Β°F / 20Β°F70Β°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

ComparisonRhode IslandFlorida
Avg. Household Income$81,854$69,303
Cost of Living Index123.397.8
State Income Tax3.75% - 5.99%0%
Avg. Property Tax1.53%0.83%
Avg. Sales Tax7.0%6.0%
Top 3 IndustriesHealthcare, Education, ManufacturingTourism, Agriculture, Aerospace
AffluenceModerateVaried
PovertyManageablePronounced
HomelessnessLowChallenging
  • 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

ComparisonRhode IslandFlorida
Political Make-upPrimarily DemocraticSwing State, currently leans Republican
Local PoliticsLiberal-leaning policies in urban areasMixed; liberal in urban areas, conservative in rural
ReligionLargely CatholicDiverse; 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

ComparisonRhode IslandFlorida
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 SchoolsRockwell Elementary
Barrington; Hamilton Elementary
North Kingstown; Nayatt School
Barrington
Pine View School
Osprey; Southside Elementary
Sarasota; Freedom 7 Elementary
Cocoa Beach
Top 3 Middle SchoolsBarrington 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 SchoolsClassical 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 schoolsMoses 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 schoolsLincoln 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 DistrictsBarrington School District; East Greenwich Public Schools; Portsmouth School DistrictSt. 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 - $6,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 3-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Veteran Moving Group
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,653300 ft3$5.51
1 Bedroom$2,461450 ft3$5.47
2 Bedrooms$4,070750 ft3$5.43
3 Bedrooms$5,9221100 ft3$5.38
4 Bedrooms$8,5461600 ft3$5.34
5+ Bedrooms$9,5381800 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.

TOP PICK
Sebastian Moving and More featured image

Sebastian Moving and More

Best moving company overall for Rhode Island to Florida

9.72/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Easy Florida Moving LLC featured image

Easy Florida Moving LLC

9.56/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Two Men and a Truck featured image

Two Men and a Truck

8.29/10
Very GoodView details