Rhode Island to Washington Moving Guide
Updated June 21, 2025

Planning a 2,939 mile interstate move from Rhode Island to Washington? This moving guide will help you compare living in Rhode Island vs Washington across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high humidity vs mild, drier climate), food & health (like Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) vs Salmon), real estate & housing (colonial vs contemporary, craftsman), 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 Chicken Family Style, but get your taste buds ready for Salmon & Geoduck
- Washington housing costs are 31% more expensive than they are in Rhode Island
- Rent in Washington is 5.28% more affordable than in Rhode Island
- Moving from Rhode Island to Washington will cost on average between $3,000 - $10,500
- Our top recommended Rhode Island to Washington movers is Seattle Moves & More
Rhode Island to Washington Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Rhode Island to Washington
- High humidity
- Limited job market
- Coastal flooding
- Small-town feel
- Higher cost of living
- Mild, drier climate
- Tech industry hub
- Less flood risk
- Urban diversity
- Better salaries
- Fewer oceanfront options
- Newer state identity
- Volcanic threats
- Higher rain levels
- More transient population
- Beautiful beaches
- Rich history
- Charming landscape
- Family-friendly atmosphere
- Close-knit communities
Pros of moving from Rhode Island to Washington
- Say goodbye to high humidity and hello to a mild, drier climate
- Look forward to moving away from a limited job market and moving to Washington with a tech industry hub
- Swap the coastal flooding of Rhode Island for less flood risk in Washington
- Get ready for urban diversity in Washington
Cons of moving from Rhode Island to Washington
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from beautiful beaches in Rhode Island to live with fewer oceanfront options in Washington
- You'll lose out on the pro of rich history and have to settle for the con of a newer state identity
- Time to bid farewell to a charming landscape and get used to volcanic threats in Washington
- Swap a family-friendly atmosphere for higher rain levels
Rhode Island vs. Washington: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Rhode Island | Washington |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) | Salmon |
Most popular meat dish | Chicken Family Style | Geoduck |
Most popular street food item | Hot Wieners | Tacos |
Most popular vegan food | Seaweed Salad | Mushroom Bao |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
|
|
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 Washington, you will be trading the iconic Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) of Rhode Island for the equally delicious Salmon of Washington. And while the locals in Rhode Island rave about their flavorful Chicken Family Style and sumptuous Hot Wieners, Washington residents know they have tasty Geoduck and Tacos 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 Bao of Washington. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Rhode Island eateries like Al Forno, Hemenway's, and Avecina. After the boxes are unpacked in Washington, don't wait too long before making your way to Washington's acclaimed eateries like Canlis, Pike Place Chowder, and Mamnoon.
When comparing lifestyles, Washington shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Rhode Island. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Washington compared to what you are used to in Rhode Island. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Washington.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Rhode Island and Washington
Comparison | Rhode Island | Washington |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial | Contemporary, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Beach access, historical charm | Eco-friendly features, mountain views |
- The Colonial architecture that Rhode Island is known for will be replaced with the Contemporary and Craftsman architecture typical of Washington.
- Compared to Rhode Island's real estate listings that commonly reference beach access and historical charm, Washington real estate listings often highlight features like eco-friendly elements and mountain views.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Washington is more walkable than Rhode Island.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Washington is more bike-friendly than Rhode Island.
- Washington has more of an urban feel than Rhode Island.
- Washington housing costs are 31% more expensive than they are in Rhode Island, with a median home price of $591,148 compared to Rhode Islandβs $451,868.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Washington have increased by 49% compared to a 55% increase in Rhode Island.
- Rent in Washington is 5.28% more affordable than in Rhode Island.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Rhode Island and Washington
Comparison | Rhode Island | Washington |
---|---|---|
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, blizzards | Earthquakes, volcanoes |
Air Quality | Good | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 63Β°F | 75Β°F / 55Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40Β°F / 20Β°F | 47Β°F / 36Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 50" | 38" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 35" | 21" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Rhode Island to Washington. Washington gets 28% fewer sunshine days than Rhode Island.
- Washington has higher humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Rhode Island.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and blizzards in Rhode Island, but be on the lookout for potential earthquakes and volcanoes in Washington.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Washington is 7 degrees colder than Rhode Island.
- The average winter lows in Washington are 16 degrees warmer than those in Rhode Island.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Washington. Washington receives 12 fewer inches of rain compared to Rhode Island.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Rhode Island and Washington
Comparison | Rhode Island | Washington |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $81,854 | $91,306 |
Cost of Living Index | 123.3 | 104.1 |
State Income Tax | 3.75% | 0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.65% | 1.03% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7% | 9% |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Education, Tourism | Technology, Agriculture, Aerospace |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Washington tend to earn about 12% more than those in Rhode Island
- The COLI in Washington will be 16% lower than what you are used to living in Rhode Island
- Hooray, moving to WA means you'll no longer have state income taxes
- The affluence in Washington is high compared to moderate affluence in Rhode Island
- The poverty level is low in Washington compared to moderate poverty in Rhode Island
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Rhode Island and moderate in Washington
Political and Religious Climate in Rhode Island vs. Washington
Comparison | Rhode Island | Washington |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Lean Democratic |
Local Politics | More traditional Democrat | Progressive Democrat |
Religion | Catholic majority | Less religiously affiliated |
- Rhode Island tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Washington, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democratic
- Washington's religious environment can be described as less religiously affiliated
- Rhode Island's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Catholic majority
Education Guide When Moving from Rhode Island to Washington
Comparison | Rhode Island | Washington |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Rhode Island (Kingston) Rhode Island College (Providence) Brown University (Providence) | University of Washington (Seattle) Washington State University (Pullman) Western Washington University (Bellingham) |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Rockwell Elementary (Bristol) Nayatt School (Barrington) Community School (Cumberland) | Cascade Ridge Elementary (Issaquah) Endeavour Elementary (Issaquah) Medina Elementary (Medina) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Barrington Middle (Barrington) Kickemuit Middle (Warren) Gallagher Middle (Smithfield) | International School (Bellevue) Pacific Cascade Middle School (Issaquah) Evergreen Middle (Redmond) |
Top 3 High Schools | Classical High (Providence) Barrington High (Barrington) East Greenwich High (East Greenwich) | International School (Bellevue) Newport High (Bellevue) Bellevue High (Bellevue) |
Top 3 private high schools | Moses Brown School (Providence) St. George's School (Middletown) Wheeler School (Providence) | Lakeside School (Seattle) The Overlake School (Redmond) Seattle Prep (Seattle) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Wheeler School (Providence) Moses Brown School (Providence) St. George's School (Middletown) | The Overlake School (Redmond) Seattle Academy (Seattle) Lakeside School (Seattle) |
Top 3 School Districts | Barrington School District East Greenwich Public Schools Cumberland School Department | Issaquah School District Bellevue School District Lake Washington School District |
How Much Do Rhode Island to Washington Movers Cost?
Moving 2,939 miles from Rhode Island to Washington will typically cost between $4,500 and $10,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $4,500 - $10,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-4 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: John Volken Academy Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,869 | 300 ft3 | $9.56 |
1 Bedroom | $4,281 | 450 ft3 | $9.51 |
2 Bedrooms | $7,097 | 750 ft3 | $9.46 |
3 Bedrooms | $10,354 | 1100 ft3 | $9.41 |
4 Bedrooms | $14,980 | 1600 ft3 | $9.36 |
5+ Bedrooms | $16,762 | 1800 ft3 | $9.31 |
Top Rhode Island to Washington Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Rhode Island to Washington movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.
Seattle Moves & More
Best moving company overall for Rhode Island to Washington