South Carolina to Rhode Island Moving Guide
Updated June 10, 2025

Planning a 882 mile interstate move from South Carolina to Rhode Island? This moving guide will help you compare living in South Carolina vs Rhode Island across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hot summers vs milder temperatures), food & health (like Shrimp and Grits vs Clam Cakes), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs colonial, cottage), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Rhode Island), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Shrimp and Grits and Barbecue, but get your taste buds ready for Clam Cakes & Stuffed Quahogs
- Rhode Island housing costs are 54% more expensive than they are in South Carolina
- Rent in Rhode Island is 25.95% more expensive than in South Carolina
- Moving from South Carolina to Rhode Island will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,000
- Our top recommended South Carolina to Rhode Island movers is Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC
South Carolina to Rhode Island Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from South Carolina to Rhode Island
- Hot summers
- Hurricane risks
- Limited job market
- Milder temperatures
- Fewer natural disasters
- Diverse employment opportunities
- Higher cost of living
- Smaller food variety
- Colder winter climate
- Low cost of living
- Southern cuisine
- Friendly communities
Pros of moving from South Carolina to Rhode Island
- Say goodbye to hot summers and hello to milder temperatures
- Look forward to moving away from hurricane risks and moving to Rhode Island with fewer natural disasters
- Swap the limited job market of South Carolina for diverse employment opportunities in Rhode Island
Cons of moving from South Carolina to Rhode Island
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the low cost of living in South Carolina to live with the higher cost of living in Rhode Island
- You'll lose out on the pro of southern cuisine and have to settle with the con of a smaller food variety
- Time to bid farewell to friendly communities and get used to the colder winter climate in Rhode Island
South Carolina vs. Rhode Island: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | South Carolina | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Shrimp and Grits | Clam Cakes |
Most popular meat dish | Barbecue | Stuffed Quahogs |
Most popular street food item | Boiled Peanuts | Hot Wieners |
Most popular vegan food | Collard Greens | Johnny Cakes |
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 South Carolina to Rhode Island, you will be trading the iconic Shrimp and Grits of South Carolina for the equally delicious Clam Cakes of Rhode Island. And while the locals in South Carolina rave about their flavorful Barbecue and sumptuous Boiled Peanuts, Rhode Island residents know they have tasty Stuffed Quahogs and Hot Wieners to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Collard Greens they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Johnny Cakes of Rhode Island. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic South Carolina eateries like Husk, FIG, and Hominy Grill. After the boxes are unpacked in Rhode Island, don't wait too long before making your way to Rhode Island's acclaimed eateries like Al Forno, The Mooring Seafood Kitchen and Bar, and Olneyville New York System.
When comparing lifestyles, Rhode Island shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than South Carolina. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Rhode Island compared to what you are used to in South Carolina. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Rhode Island.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between South Carolina and Rhode Island
Comparison | South Carolina | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Ranch | Colonial, Cottage |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, Outdoor living | Coastal views, Historic features |
- The Colonial and Ranch architecture that South Carolina is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cottage architecture typical of Rhode Island.
- Compared to South Carolina's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and outdoor living, Rhode Island real estate listings often highlight features like coastal views and historic features.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Rhode Island is more walkable than South Carolina.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Rhode Island is more bike-friendly than South Carolina.
- Rhode Island has more of an urban feel than South Carolina.
- Rhode Island housing costs are 54% more expensive than they are in South Carolina, with a median home price of $451,868 compared to South Carolinaβs $293,893.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Rhode Island have increased by 55% compared to a 58% increase in South Carolina.
- Rent in Rhode Island is 25.95% more expensive than in South Carolina.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between South Carolina and Rhode Island
Comparison | South Carolina | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
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 | Nor'easters, blizzards |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 90Β°F / 71Β°F | 82Β°F / 63Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 59Β°F / 38Β°F | 40Β°F / 20Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 50" | 47" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 1" | 33" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from South Carolina to Rhode Island. Rhode Island gets 7% fewer sunshine days than South Carolina.
- Rhode Island has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to South Carolina.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and floods in South Carolina, but be on the lookout for potential nor'easters and blizzards in Rhode Island.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Rhode Island is 8 degrees colder than in South Carolina.
- The average winter lows are 18 degrees colder than they are in South Carolina.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Rhode Island. Rhode Island receives 3 fewer inches of rain compared to South Carolina.
Financial & Community Snapshot: South Carolina and Rhode Island
Comparison | South Carolina | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $64,115 | $81,854 |
Cost of Living Index | 96.85 | 123.3 |
State Income Tax | 7% | 5.99% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.57% | 1.63% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.46% | 7% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Tourism, Agriculture | Healthcare, Education, Manufacturing |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Rhode Island tend to earn about 28% more than those in South Carolina
- The COLI in Rhode Island will be 27% higher than what you are used to living in South Carolina
- The state income tax in RI is 5.99% compared to 7% in SC
- The affluence in Rhode Island is high compared to moderate affluence in South Carolina
- The poverty level is low in Rhode Island compared to moderate in South Carolina
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in South Carolina and moderate in Rhode Island
Political and Religious Climate in South Carolina vs. Rhode Island
Comparison | South Carolina | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative | Liberal |
Local Politics | Republican-dominated state legislature | Democrat-dominated state legislature |
Religion | Evangelical Protestant | Catholic |
- South Carolina tends to lean conservative in its political climate
- Rhode Island, on the other hand, is often described as liberal
- Rhode Island's religious environment can be described as Catholic
- South Carolina's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as evangelical Protestant
Education Guide When Moving from South Carolina to Rhode Island
Comparison | South Carolina | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of South Carolina Clemson University College of Charleston | Brown University University of Rhode Island Rhode Island School of Design |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Mount Pleasant Academy (Mount Pleasant) Buist Academy (Charleston) Clemson Elementary (Clemson) | Rockwell Elementary (Bristol) Community School (Cumberland) Nayatt School (Barrington) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Montessori School of Anderson (Anderson) Greenville Middle Academy (Greenville) Gold Hill Middle School (Fort Mill) | Barrington Middle School (Barrington) Wickford Middle School (North Kingstown) Portsmouth Middle School (Portsmouth) |
Top 3 High Schools | Academic Magnet High School (North Charleston) South Carolina Governor's School for Science & Mathematics (Hartsville) Charleston School of the Arts (North Charleston) | Classical High School (Providence) Barrington High School (Barrington) East Greenwich High School (East Greenwich) |
Top 3 private high schools | Porter-Gaud (Charleston) Hammond School (Columbia) Christ Church Episcopal School (Greenville) | Moses Brown School (Providence) St. George's School (Middletown) The Wheeler School (Providence) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Christ Church Episcopal School (Greenville) Hammond School (Columbia) Greenville Classical Academy (Greenville) | Moses Brown School (Providence) The Wheeler School (Providence) Lincoln School (Providence) |
Top 3 School Districts | Fort Mill School District Lexington 1 School District Greenville County School District | Barrington School District East Greenwich School District Newport School District |
How Much Do South Carolina to Rhode Island Movers Cost?
Moving 882 miles from South Carolina to Rhode Island 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
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,447 | 300 ft3 | $4.82 |
1 Bedroom | $2,152 | 450 ft3 | $4.78 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,554 | 750 ft3 | $4.74 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,166 | 1100 ft3 | $4.70 |
4 Bedrooms | $7,446 | 1600 ft3 | $4.65 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,300 | 1800 ft3 | $4.61 |
Top South Carolina to Rhode Island Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best South Carolina to Rhode Island movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC
Best moving company overall for South Carolina to Rhode Island