Rhode Island to North Carolina Moving Guide
Updated June 8, 2025

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
Comparison | Rhode Island | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Stuffies (Stuffed Quahogs) | Pulled Pork BBQ |
Most popular meat dish | Clam Cakes | Eastern NC Barbecue |
Most popular street food item | Hot Wieners | Carolina-style Hot Dogs |
Most popular vegan food | Seaweed Salad | Smoked Vegetable Platter |
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 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, Hemenwayβs, 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
Comparison | Rhode Island | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Victorian | Craftsman, Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Waterfront, Historic Details | Large 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 Islandβs $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
Comparison | Rhode Island | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
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 | Hurricanes, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 63Β°F | 88Β°F / 66Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40Β°F / 20Β°F | 50Β°F / 30Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 47 | 50 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 24 | 5 |
- 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
Comparison | Rhode Island | North Carolina |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Swing state, recent lean Republican |
Local Politics | Liberal, especially in urban areas | Mix of conservative and liberal, depending on the area |
Religion | Primarily Catholic | Primarily 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
Comparison | Rhode Island | North 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 Schools | Rockwell Elementary - Bristol Nayatt School - Barrington Community School - Cumberland | Endhaven Elementary - Charlotte Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy - Charlotte Parkside Elementary - Morrisville |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Barrington Middle - Barrington Lincoln Middle - Lincoln Gallagher Middle - Smithfield | Jay M. Robinson Middle - Charlotte Smith Middle - Chapel Hill Carnage Middle - Raleigh |
Top 3 High School Schools | Classical 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 schools | Moses 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 schools | Lincoln School - Providence The Wheeler School - Providence Moses Brown School - Providence | Cary Academy - Cary Ravenscroft School - Raleigh Charlotte Country Day School - Charlotte |
Top 3 School Districts | Barrington 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,348 | 300 ft3 | $4.49 |
1 Bedroom | $2,003 | 450 ft3 | $4.45 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,306 | 750 ft3 | $4.41 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,802 | 1100 ft3 | $4.37 |
4 Bedrooms | $6,917 | 1600 ft3 | $4.32 |
5+ Bedrooms | $7,705 | 1800 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.

Just Move It, LLC
Best moving company overall for Rhode Island to North Carolina