Rhode Island to Pennsylvania Moving Guide
Updated June 20, 2025

Planning a 360 mile interstate move from Rhode Island to Pennsylvania? This moving guide will help you compare living in Rhode Island vs Pennsylvania across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons, food & health (like Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) vs Philly Cheesesteak), real estate & housing (colonial vs colonial, dutch, and farmhouse), 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 Rhode Island Red Chicken, but get your taste buds ready for Philly Cheesesteak & Pittsburgh Hot Sausage
- Pennsylvania housing costs are 42% less expensive than they are in Rhode Island
- Rent in Pennsylvania is 28.71% more affordable than in Rhode Island
- Moving from Rhode Island to Pennsylvania will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,000
- Our top recommended Rhode Island to Pennsylvania movers is Pittsburgh Moving
Rhode Island vs. Pennsylvania: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Rhode Island | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) | Philly Cheesesteak |
Most popular meat dish | Rhode Island Red Chicken | Pittsburgh Hot Sausage |
Most popular street food item | Calamari | Soft Pretzel |
Most popular vegan food | Seaweed Salad | Mushroom Cheesesteak |
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 Pennsylvania, you will be trading the iconic Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) of Rhode Island for the equally delicious Philly Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania. And while the locals in Rhode Island rave about their flavorful Rhode Island Red Chicken and sumptuous Calamari, Pennsylvania residents know they have tasty Pittsburgh Hot Sausage and Soft Pretzel 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 Mushroom Cheesesteak of Pennsylvania. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Rhode Island eateries like Al Forno, Los Andes, and The Dorrance. After the boxes are unpacked in Pennsylvania, don't wait too long before making your way to Pennsylvania's acclaimed eateries like Pat's King of Steaks, Geno's Steaks, and Primanti Bros.
When comparing lifestyles, Pennsylvania shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Rhode Island. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Pennsylvania, compared to what you are used to in Rhode Island. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Pennsylvania.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Rhode Island and Pennsylvania
Comparison | Rhode Island | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial | Colonial, Dutch, and Farmhouse |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Waterfront, Historic Charm | Spacious Yards, Historic Details |
- The Colonial architecture that Rhode Island is known for will be replaced with the Colonial, Dutch, and Farmhouse architecture typical of Pennsylvania.
- Compared to Rhode Island's real estate listings that commonly reference waterfront and historic charm, Pennsylvania real estate listings often highlight features like spacious yards and historic details.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Pennsylvania is more walkable than Rhode Island.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Pennsylvania is more bike-friendly than Rhode Island.
- Pennsylvania has less of an urban feel than Rhode Island.
- Pennsylvania housing costs are 42% less expensive than they are in Rhode Island, with a median home price of $261,312 compared to Rhode Islandβs $451,868.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Pennsylvania have increased by 43% compared to a 55% increase in Rhode Island.
- Rent in Pennsylvania is 28.71% more affordable than in Rhode Island.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Rhode Island and Pennsylvania
Comparison | Rhode Island | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
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 | Hurricanes, Floods | Snowstorms, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 63Β°F | 85Β°F / 62Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 39Β°F / 20Β°F | 33Β°F / 20Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 47 | 42 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 33 | 38 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Rhode Island to Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania gets 11% fewer sunshine days than Rhode Island.
- Pennsylvania has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Rhode Island.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and floods in Rhode Island, but be on the lookout for potential snowstorms and floods in Pennsylvania.
- The average summer high temperature in Pennsylvania is 3 degrees warmer than in Rhode Island.
- The average winter lows are 0 degrees colder than they are in Rhode Island.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania receives 5 fewer inches of rain compared to Rhode Island.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Rhode Island and Pennsylvania
Comparison | Rhode Island | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $81,854 | $71,798 |
Cost of Living Index | 123.3 | 99.7 |
State Income Tax | 3.75 | 3.07 |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.53 | 1.35 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7 | 6 |
Top 3 Industries | Finance, Education, Healthcare | Manufacturing, Education, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Low |
Homelessness | Minimal | Notable |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Pennsylvania tend to earn about 12% less than in Rhode Island
- The COLI in Pennsylvania will be 19% lower than what you are used to living in Rhode Island
- The state income tax in PA is 3.07 compared to 3.75 in RI
- The affluence in Pennsylvania is moderate compared to moderate in Rhode Island
- The poverty level is low in Pennsylvania compared to low in Rhode Island
- In terms of homelessness, it is minimal in Rhode Island and notable in Pennsylvania
Political and Religious Climate in Rhode Island vs. Pennsylvania
Comparison | Rhode Island | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Primarily Democratic | Mixed; Democratic in urban areas, Republican in rural |
Local Politics | Focus on maritime and educational industries | Varied, with emphasis on manufacturing, agriculture, and energy |
Religion | Majority Catholic | Diverse; large Protestant and Catholic communities |
- Rhode Island tends to lean primarily Democratic in its political climate
- Pennsylvania, on the other hand, is often described as mixed, being Democratic in urban areas and Republican in rural areas
- Pennsylvania's religious environment can be described as diverse, with large Protestant and Catholic communities
- Rhode Island's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as majority Catholic
Education Guide When Moving from Rhode Island to Pennsylvania
Comparison | Rhode Island | Pennsylvania |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Rhode Island Rhode Island College Brown University | Pennsylvania State University University of Pennsylvania Temple University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Rockwell School (Bristol) Nayatt School (Barrington) Community School (Cumberland) | Wharton Elementary School (Philadelphia) Fox Chapel Elementary (Pittsburgh) Bradford Woods Elementary (Pittsburgh) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Barrington Middle (Barrington) Wickford Middle (North Kingstown) Gallagher Middle (Smithfield) | Radnor Middle (Radnor) Welsh Valley Middle (Narberth) Marshall Middle (Wexford) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Classical High School (Providence) Barrington High School (Barrington) East Greenwich High (East Greenwich) | Conestoga High School (Berwyn) North Allegheny High School (Wexford) Masterman High School (Philadelphia) |
Top 3 private high schools | Moses Brown School (Providence) St. George's School (Middletown) Wheeler School (Providence) | The Haverford School (Haverford) Shady Side Academy (Pittsburgh) Germantown Friends School (Philadelphia) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Lincoln School (Providence) Moses Brown School (Providence) Wheeler School (Providence) | The Baldwin School (Bryn Mawr) The Haverford School (Haverford) Shady Side Academy (Pittsburgh) |
Top 3 School Districts | Barrington School District East Greenwich School District Cumberland School District | Tredyffrin-Easttown School District Radnor Township School District North Allegheny School District |
How Much Do Rhode Island to Pennsylvania Movers Cost?
Moving 360 miles from Rhode Island to Pennsylvania will typically cost between $2,000 and $4,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,000 - $4,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 1-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: U-Relax Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,196 | 300 ft3 | $3.99 |
1 Bedroom | $1,774 | 450 ft3 | $3.94 |
2 Bedrooms | $2,925 | 750 ft3 | $3.90 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,244 | 1100 ft3 | $3.86 |
4 Bedrooms | $6,104 | 1600 ft3 | $3.82 |
5+ Bedrooms | $6,791 | 1800 ft3 | $3.77 |
Top Rhode Island to Pennsylvania Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Rhode Island to Pennsylvania movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Pittsburgh Moving
Best moving company overall for Rhode Island to Pennsylvania