Rhode Island to New Jersey Moving Guide
Updated June 7, 2025

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
- High cost of living
- Limited public transport
- Fewer entertainment venues
- More job opportunities
- Better transportation options
- Vibrant cultural scene
- Higher property taxes
- More traffic congestion
- Densely populated areas
- 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
Comparison | Rhode Island | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) | Taylor Ham/Pork Roll |
Most popular meat dish | Grilled Pizza | Italian Hot Dogs |
Most popular street food item | Clam Cakes | Salt Water Taffy |
Most popular vegan food | Seitan | Vegan Sloppy Joes |
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 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, Hemenwayβs, 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
Comparison | Rhode Island | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Victorian | Colonial, Cape Cod |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Waterfront, Historic Charm | Proximity 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 Islandβs $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
Comparison | Rhode Island | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
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 | Nor'easters, Blizzards | Nor'easters, Hurricanes |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 63Β°F | 85Β°F / 66Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40Β°F / 20Β°F | 39Β°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
Comparison | Rhode Island | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $81,854 | $96,346 |
Cost of Living Index | 123.3 | 129.7 |
State Income Tax | 3.75 - 5.99 | 1.4 - 10.75 |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.53 | 2.49 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7 | 6.625 |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Education, Tourism | Finance, Pharmaceuticals, Technology |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Low | Low |
- 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
Comparison | Rhode Island | New Jersey |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Lean Democratic |
Local Politics | Liberal in urban areas | Liberal in urban and many suburban areas |
Religion | Catholic majority | Diverse 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
Comparison | Rhode Island | New 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 Schools | Rockwell Elementary Bristol Community School Barrington Sowams Elementary Barrington | Littlebrook Elementary Princeton Millstone River School Plainsboro Riverside Elementary Princeton |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Barrington 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 Schools | Classical 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 schools | Moses 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 schools | The 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 Districts | Barrington 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,140 | 300 ft3 | $3.80 |
1 Bedroom | $1,690 | 450 ft3 | $3.76 |
2 Bedrooms | $2,785 | 750 ft3 | $3.71 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,039 | 1100 ft3 | $3.67 |
4 Bedrooms | $5,806 | 1600 ft3 | $3.63 |
5+ Bedrooms | $6,456 | 1800 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.

Big G Movers, INC
Best moving company overall for Rhode Island to New Jersey