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Rhode Island to New Jersey Moving Guide

Updated June 7, 2025

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Planning a 244 mile interstate move from Rhode Island to New Jersey? This moving guide will help you compare living in Rhode Island vs New Jersey across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs more job opportunities), food & health (like Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) vs Taylor Ham/Pork Roll), real estate & housing (colonial, victorian vs colonial, cape cod), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in New Jersey), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) and Grilled Pizza, but get your taste buds ready for Taylor Ham/Pork Roll & Italian Hot Dogs
  • New Jersey housing costs are 14% more expensive than they are in Rhode Island
  • Rent in New Jersey is 17.77% more expensive than in Rhode Island
  • Moving from Rhode Island to New Jersey will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,000
  • Our top recommended Rhode Island to New Jersey movers is Big G Movers, INC

Rhode Island to New Jersey Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Rhode Island to New Jersey

ConsRhode Island iconRhode Island
  • High cost of living
  • Limited public transport
  • Fewer entertainment venues
ProsNew Jersey iconNew Jersey
  • More job opportunities
  • Better transportation options
  • Vibrant cultural scene

New Jersey iconNew Jersey
  • Higher property taxes
  • More traffic congestion
  • Densely populated areas
Rhode Island iconRhode Island
  • Scenic coastlines
  • Quieter lifestyle
  • Close-knit communities

Pros of moving from Rhode Island to New Jersey

  • Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to more job opportunities
  • Look forward to moving away from limited public transport and moving to New Jersey with better transportation options
  • Swap the fewer entertainment venues of Rhode Island for a vibrant cultural scene in New Jersey

Cons of moving from Rhode Island to New Jersey

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from scenic coastlines in Rhode Island to live with higher property taxes in New Jersey
  • You'll lose out on the pro of a quieter lifestyle and have to settle for the con of more traffic congestion
  • Time to bid farewell to close-knit communities and get used to densely populated areas in New Jersey

Rhode Island vs. New Jersey: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonRhode IslandNew Jersey
Most iconic local food itemStuffies (Stuffed Clams)Taylor Ham/Pork Roll
Most popular meat dishGrilled PizzaItalian Hot Dogs
Most popular street food itemClam CakesSalt Water Taffy
Most popular vegan foodSeitanVegan Sloppy Joes
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Al Forno
  • Hemenway’s
  • The Duck and Bunny
  • White House Sub Shop
  • Carlo's Bakery
  • Rat's Restaurant
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 New Jersey, you will be trading the iconic Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) of Rhode Island for the equally delicious Taylor Ham/Pork Roll of New Jersey. And while the locals in Rhode Island rave about their flavorful Grilled Pizza and sumptuous Clam Cakes, New Jersey residents know they have tasty Italian Hot Dogs and Salt Water Taffy to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Seitan they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Sloppy Joes of New Jersey. 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 Duck and Bunny. After the boxes are unpacked in New Jersey, don't wait too long before making your way to New Jersey's acclaimed eateries like White House Sub Shop, Carlo's Bakery, and Rat's Restaurant.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Rhode Island and New Jersey

ComparisonRhode IslandNew Jersey
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, VictorianColonial, Cape Cod
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 CharmProximity to NYC, Good Schools
  • The Colonial and Victorian architecture that Rhode Island is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cape Cod architecture typical of New Jersey.
  • Compared to Rhode Island's real estate listings, which commonly reference waterfront and historic charm, New Jersey real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to NYC and good schools.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; New Jersey is more walkable than Rhode Island.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike; New Jersey is more bike-friendly than Rhode Island.
  • New Jersey has more of an urban feel than Rhode Island.
  • New Jersey housing costs are 14% more expensive than they are in Rhode Island, with a median home price of $512,908 compared to Rhode Island’s $451,868.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in New Jersey have increased by 50% compared to a 55% increase in Rhode Island.
  • Rent in New Jersey is 17.77% more expensive than in Rhode Island.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Rhode Island and New Jersey

ComparisonRhode IslandNew Jersey
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 DisastersNor'easters, BlizzardsNor'easters, Hurricanes
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)82Β°F / 63Β°F85Β°F / 66Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)40Β°F / 20Β°F39Β°F / 26Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)50"47"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)33"23"
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Rhode Island to New Jersey. New Jersey gets 2% more sunshine days than Rhode Island.
  • New Jersey has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Rhode Island.
  • Say goodbye to the possible nor'easters and blizzards in Rhode Island but be on the lookout for potential nor'easters and hurricanes in New Jersey.
  • The average summer high temperature in New Jersey is 3 degrees warmer than in Rhode Island.
  • The average winter lows are 6 degrees warmer than they are in Rhode Island.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in New Jersey. New Jersey receives 3 fewer inches of rain compared to Rhode Island.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Rhode Island and New Jersey

ComparisonRhode IslandNew Jersey
Avg. Household Income$81,854$96,346
Cost of Living Index123.3129.7
State Income Tax3.75 - 5.991.4 - 10.75
Avg. Property Tax1.532.49
Avg. Sales Tax76.625
Top 3 IndustriesHealthcare, Education, TourismFinance, Pharmaceuticals, Technology
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessLowLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in New Jersey tend to earn about 18% more than those in Rhode Island
  • The COLI in New Jersey is 5% higher than what you are used to living in Rhode Island
  • The state income tax in NJ is 1.4% to 10.75% compared to 3.75% to 5.99% in RI
  • The affluence in New Jersey is high compared to moderate in Rhode Island
  • The poverty level is low in New Jersey compared to moderate in Rhode Island
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Rhode Island and low in New Jersey

Political and Religious Climate in Rhode Island vs. New Jersey

ComparisonRhode IslandNew Jersey
Political Make-upLean DemocraticLean Democratic
Local PoliticsLiberal in urban areasLiberal in urban and many suburban areas
ReligionCatholic majorityDiverse religious communities
  • Rhode Island tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
  • New Jersey, on the other hand, is often described as lean Democratic
  • New Jersey's religious environment can be described as diverse religious communities
  • Rhode Island's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Catholic majority

Education Guide When Moving from Rhode Island to New Jersey

ComparisonRhode IslandNew Jersey
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Rhode Island
Rhode Island College
Brown University
Rutgers University
Princeton University
The College of New Jersey
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsRockwell Elementary
Bristol
Community School
Barrington
Sowams Elementary
Barrington
Littlebrook Elementary
Princeton
Millstone River School
Plainsboro
Riverside Elementary
Princeton
Top 3 Middle SchoolsBarrington Middle
Barrington
Kickemuit Middle School
Warren
Gaudet Middle School
Middletown
Princeton Charter School
Princeton
Community Middle School
Plainsboro
Thomas R. Grover Middle School
West Windsor
Top 3 High School SchoolsClassical High School
Providence
Barrington High School
Barrington
East Greenwich High
East Greenwich
High Technology High School
Lincroft
Princeton High School
Princeton
Millburn High School
Millburn
Top 3 private high schoolsMoses Brown School
Providence
St. George's School
Middletown
The Wheeler School
Providence
The Pingry School
Basking Ridge
Delbarton School
Morristown
Blair Academy
Blairstown
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsThe Wheeler School
Providence
Moses Brown School
Providence
Lincoln School
Providence
The Pingry School
Basking Ridge
Princeton Day School
Princeton
The Lawrenceville School
Lawrenceville
Top 3 School DistrictsBarrington School District
East Greenwich Public Schools
Lincoln School District
Princeton Public Schools
Millburn Township Schools
West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District

How Much Do Rhode Island to New Jersey Movers Cost?

Moving 244 miles from Rhode Island to New Jersey will typically cost between $1,500 and $4,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $1,500 - $4,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 3-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Express Haulers
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,140300 ft3$3.80
1 Bedroom$1,690450 ft3$3.76
2 Bedrooms$2,785750 ft3$3.71
3 Bedrooms$4,0391100 ft3$3.67
4 Bedrooms$5,8061600 ft3$3.63
5+ Bedrooms$6,4561800 ft3$3.59

Top Rhode Island to New Jersey Movers

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

TOP PICK
Big G Movers, INC featured image

Big G Movers, INC

Best moving company overall for Rhode Island to New Jersey

9.54/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Cimply Labor, LLC featured image

Cimply Labor, LLC

9.39/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Two Men and a Truck featured image

Two Men and a Truck

8.29/10
Very GoodView details