Movers

Rhode Island to North Carolina Moving Guide

Updated June 8, 2025

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Planning a 676 mile interstate move from Rhode Island to North Carolina? This moving guide will help you compare living in Rhode Island vs North Carolina across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons, food & health (like Stuffies (Stuffed Quahogs) vs Pulled Pork BBQ), real estate & housing (colonial, victorian vs craftsman, colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes, politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Stuffies (Stuffed Quahogs) and Clam Cakes, but get your taste buds ready for Pulled Pork BBQ & Eastern NC Barbecue
  • North Carolina housing costs are 27% less expensive than they are in Rhode Island
  • Rent in North Carolina is 16.78% more affordable than in Rhode Island
  • Moving from Rhode Island to North Carolina will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
  • Our top recommended Rhode Island to North Carolina movers is Just Move It, LLC

Rhode Island vs. North Carolina: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonRhode IslandNorth Carolina
Most iconic local food itemStuffies (Stuffed Quahogs)Pulled Pork BBQ
Most popular meat dishClam CakesEastern NC Barbecue
Most popular street food itemHot WienersCarolina-style Hot Dogs
Most popular vegan foodSeaweed SaladSmoked Vegetable Platter
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Al Forno
  • Hemenway’s
  • The Mooring Seafood Kitchen & Bar
  • Lexington Barbecue
  • Chef & the Farmer
  • Bida Manda Laotian Bar and Grill
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Rhode Island to North Carolina, you will be trading the iconic Stuffies (Stuffed Quahogs) of Rhode Island for the equally delicious Pulled Pork BBQ of North Carolina. And while the locals in Rhode Island rave about their flavorful Clam Cakes and sumptuous Hot Wieners, North Carolina residents know they have tasty Eastern NC Barbecue and Carolina-style Hot Dogs 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 Smoked Vegetable Platter of North Carolina. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Rhode Island eateries like Al Forno, Hemenway’s, and The Mooring Seafood Kitchen and Bar. After the boxes are unpacked in North Carolina, don't wait too long before making your way to North Carolina's acclaimed eateries like Lexington Barbecue, Chef and the Farmer, and Bida Manda Laotian Bar and Grill.

When comparing lifestyles, North Carolina shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Rhode Island. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in North Carolina compared to what you are used to in Rhode Island. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in North Carolina.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Rhode Island and North Carolina

ComparisonRhode IslandNorth Carolina
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, VictorianCraftsman, Colonial
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 DetailsLarge Yards, Modern Kitchens
  • The Colonial and Victorian architecture that Rhode Island is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman and Colonial architecture typical of North Carolina.
  • Compared to Rhode Island's real estate listings that commonly reference waterfront and historic details, North Carolina real estate listings often highlight features like large yards and modern kitchens.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away, as North Carolina is less walkable than Rhode Island.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike because North Carolina is more bike-friendly than Rhode Island.
  • North Carolina has less of an urban feel than Rhode Island.
  • North Carolina housing costs are 27% less expensive than they are in Rhode Island, with a median home price of $329,225 compared to Rhode Island’s $451,868.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in North Carolina have increased by 63% compared to a 55% increase in Rhode Island.
  • Rent in North Carolina is 16.78% more affordable than in Rhode Island.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Rhode Island and North Carolina

ComparisonRhode IslandNorth Carolina
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 DisastersBlizzards, HurricanesHurricanes, Tornadoes
Air QualityGood to ModerateModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)82Β°F / 63Β°F88Β°F / 66Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)40Β°F / 20Β°F50Β°F / 30Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4750
Annual Snowfall (Inches)245
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Rhode Island to North Carolina. North Carolina gets 5% more sunshine days than Rhode Island.
  • North Carolina has higher 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 hurricanes and tornadoes in North Carolina.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in North Carolina is 6 degrees warmer than in Rhode Island.
  • The average winter lows are 10 degrees warmer than they are in Rhode Island.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in North Carolina. North Carolina receives 3 more inches of rain compared to Rhode Island.

Political and Religious Climate in Rhode Island vs. North Carolina

ComparisonRhode IslandNorth Carolina
Political Make-upLean DemocraticSwing state, recent lean Republican
Local PoliticsLiberal, especially in urban areasMix of conservative and liberal, depending on the area
ReligionPrimarily CatholicPrimarily Protestant
  • Rhode Island tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
  • North Carolina, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state, recently leaning Republican
  • North Carolina's religious environment can be described as primarily Protestant
  • Rhode Island's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Catholic

Education Guide When Moving from Rhode Island to North Carolina

ComparisonRhode IslandNorth Carolina
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Rhode Island
Brown University
Rhode Island College
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
North Carolina State University
Duke University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsRockwell Elementary - Bristol
Nayatt School - Barrington
Community School - Cumberland
Endhaven Elementary - Charlotte
Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy - Charlotte
Parkside Elementary - Morrisville
Top 3 Middle SchoolsBarrington Middle - Barrington
Lincoln Middle - Lincoln
Gallagher Middle - Smithfield
Jay M. Robinson Middle - Charlotte
Smith Middle - Chapel Hill
Carnage Middle - Raleigh
Top 3 High School SchoolsClassical High School - Providence
Barrington High School - Barrington
East Greenwich High - East Greenwich
Green Hope High - Cary
Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology - Charlotte
The Early College at Guilford - Greensboro
Top 3 private high schoolsMoses Brown School - Providence
St. George's School - Middletown
The Wheeler School - Providence
Charlotte Country Day School - Charlotte
Ravenscroft School - Raleigh
Providence Day School - Charlotte
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsLincoln School - Providence
The Wheeler School - Providence
Moses Brown School - Providence
Cary Academy - Cary
Ravenscroft School - Raleigh
Charlotte Country Day School - Charlotte
Top 3 School DistrictsBarrington Public Schools
East Greenwich Public Schools
Lincoln Public Schools
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
Wake County Public School System
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

How Much Do Rhode Island to North Carolina Movers Cost?

Moving 676 miles from Rhode Island to North Carolina will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,000 - $5,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Raleigh Moving Company
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,348300 ft3$4.49
1 Bedroom$2,003450 ft3$4.45
2 Bedrooms$3,306750 ft3$4.41
3 Bedrooms$4,8021100 ft3$4.37
4 Bedrooms$6,9171600 ft3$4.32
5+ Bedrooms$7,7051800 ft3$4.28

Top Rhode Island to North Carolina Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Rhode Island to North Carolina movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
Just Move It, LLC featured image

Just Move It, LLC

Best moving company overall for Rhode Island to North Carolina

9.50/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Illuminated Moving & Packing featured image

Illuminated Moving & Packing

9.49/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Two Men and a Truck featured image

Two Men and a Truck

8.29/10
Very GoodView details