Rhode Island to Maryland Moving Guide
Updated June 8, 2025

Planning a 373 mile interstate move from Rhode Island to Maryland? This moving guide will help you compare living in Rhode Island vs Maryland across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high living costs vs lower housing prices), food & health (like Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) vs Crab Cakes), real estate & housing (colonial vs colonial / 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 Italian Sausage, but get your taste buds ready for Crab Cakes & Fried Chicken
- Maryland housing costs are 8% less expensive than they are in Rhode Island
- Rent in Maryland is 10.37% more affordable than in Rhode Island
- Moving from Rhode Island to Maryland will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,500
- Our top recommended Rhode Island to Maryland movers is AT Movers
Rhode Island to Maryland Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Rhode Island to Maryland
- High living costs
- Severe winter storms
- Limited land area
- Lower housing prices
- Milder winters
- More outdoor spaces
- Fewer beaches
- More urban sprawl
- Higher population density
- Coastal beauty
- Rich history
- Close-knit communities
Pros of moving from Rhode Island to Maryland
- Say goodbye to high living costs and hello to lower housing prices
- Look forward to moving away from severe winter storms and moving to Maryland with milder winters
- Swap the limited land area of Rhode Island for more outdoor spaces in Maryland
Cons of moving from Rhode Island to Maryland
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from coastal beauty in Rhode Island to live with fewer beaches in Maryland
- You'll lose out on the pro of rich history and have to settle for the con of more urban sprawl
- Time to bid farewell to close-knit communities and get used to higher population density in Maryland
Rhode Island vs. Maryland: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Rhode Island | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) | Crab Cakes |
Most popular meat dish | Italian Sausage | Fried Chicken |
Most popular street food item | Coffee Milk | Soft Shell Crab Sandwich |
Most popular vegan food | Seaweed Salad | Black Bean Burger |
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 Maryland, you will be trading the iconic Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) of Rhode Island for the equally delicious Crab Cakes of Maryland. And while the locals in Rhode Island rave about their flavorful Italian Sausage and sumptuous Coffee Milk, Maryland residents know they have tasty Fried Chicken and Soft Shell Crab Sandwich 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 Black Bean Burger of Maryland. 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 Maryland, don't wait too long before making your way to Maryland's acclaimed eateries like Faidley Seafood, Charm City Cakes, and Bertha's Mussels.
When comparing lifestyles, Maryland shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Rhode Island. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Maryland compared to what you are used to in Rhode Island. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Maryland.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Rhode Island and Maryland
Comparison | Rhode Island | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial | Colonial / Cape Cod |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Waterfront views | Proximity to amenities |
- The Colonial architecture that Rhode Island is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cape Cod architecture typical of Maryland.
- Compared to Rhode Island's real estate listings that commonly reference waterfront views, Maryland real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to amenities.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Maryland is more walkable than Rhode Island.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Maryland is more bike-friendly than Rhode Island.
- Maryland has more of an urban feel than Rhode Island.
- Maryland housing costs are 8% less expensive than they are in Rhode Island, with a median home price of $414,972 compared to Rhode Islandβs $451,868.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Maryland have increased by 33% compared to a 55% increase in Rhode Island.
- Rent in Maryland is 10.37% more affordable than in Rhode Island.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Rhode Island and Maryland
Comparison | Rhode Island | Maryland |
---|---|---|
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 | Blizzards, Hurricanes, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | 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 | 43Β°F / 25Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 47" | 41" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 33" | 20.5" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Rhode Island to Maryland. Maryland gets 7% more sunshine days than Rhode Island.
- Maryland 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 blizzards, hurricanes, and tornadoes in Maryland.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Maryland is 5 degrees warmer than in Rhode Island.
- The average winter lows are 5 degrees warmer than they are in Rhode Island.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Maryland. Maryland receives 6 fewer inches of rain compared to Rhode Island.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Rhode Island and Maryland
Comparison | Rhode Island | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $81,854 | $94,991 |
Cost of Living Index | 123.3 | 124.95 |
State Income Tax | 3.75-5.99% | 2-5.75% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.63% | 1.10% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Education, Manufacturing | Biotechnology, Cybersecurity, Education |
Affluence | Moderate | Affluent |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Manageable | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Maryland tend to earn about 16% more than in Rhode Island
- The COLI in Maryland is 1% higher than what you are used to living in Rhode Island
- The state income tax in MD is 2-5.75% compared to 3.75-5.99% in RI
- The affluence in Maryland is affluent compared to moderate in Rhode Island
- The poverty level is low in Maryland compared to moderate in Rhode Island
- In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in Rhode Island and moderate in Maryland
Political and Religious Climate in Rhode Island vs. Maryland
Comparison | Rhode Island | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Democratic-leaning | Democratic-leaning |
Local Politics | Progressive policies in urban areas | Liberal in urban, conservative in rural areas |
Religion | Majority Catholic | Diverse, with a high number of Catholics |
- Rhode Island tends to lean Democratic-leaning in its political climate
- Maryland, on the other hand, is often described as Democratic-leaning
- Maryland's religious environment can be described as diverse with a high number of Catholics
- Rhode Island's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as majority Catholic
Education Guide When Moving from Rhode Island to Maryland
Comparison | Rhode Island | Maryland |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Rhode Island Rhode Island College Brown University | University of Maryland Towson University Johns Hopkins University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Rockwell Elementary Barrington; Nayatt School Barrington; Hamilton School North Kingstown | Cold Spring Elementary Potomac; Stone Mill Elementary North Potomac; Bannockburn Elementary Bethesda |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Barrington Middle School Barrington; Wickford Middle School North Kingstown; Narragansett Pier Middle School Narragansett | Thomas W. Pyle Middle School Bethesda; Herbert Hoover Middle School Potomac; Cabin John Middle School Potomac |
Top 3 High School Schools | Classical High School Providence; Barrington High School Barrington; East Greenwich High School East Greenwich | Walt Whitman High School Bethesda; Thomas S. Wootton High School Rockville; Winston Churchill High School Potomac |
Top 3 private high schools | Moses Brown School Providence; St. George's School Middletown; The Wheeler School Providence | Gilman School Baltimore; McDonogh School Owings Mills; Holton-Arms School Bethesda |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Wheeler School Providence; Moses Brown School Providence; Lincoln School Providence | Gilman School Baltimore; Landon School Bethesda; Sidwell Friends School Bethesda |
Top 3 School Districts | Barrington School District; East Greenwich School District; North Kingstown School District | Montgomery County Public Schools; Howard County Public School System; Frederick County Public Schools |
How Much Do Rhode Island to Maryland Movers Cost?
Moving 373 miles from Rhode Island to Maryland 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: 2-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: AT Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,202 | 300 ft3 | $4.01 |
1 Bedroom | $1,784 | 450 ft3 | $3.96 |
2 Bedrooms | $2,941 | 750 ft3 | $3.92 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,267 | 1100 ft3 | $3.88 |
4 Bedrooms | $6,138 | 1600 ft3 | $3.84 |
5+ Bedrooms | $6,829 | 1800 ft3 | $3.79 |
Top Rhode Island to Maryland Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Rhode Island to Maryland movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.