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South Carolina to Rhode Island Moving Guide

Updated June 10, 2025

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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

ConsSouth Carolina iconSouth Carolina
  • Hot summers
  • Hurricane risks
  • Limited job market
ProsRhode Island iconRhode Island
  • Milder temperatures
  • Fewer natural disasters
  • Diverse employment opportunities

Rhode Island iconRhode Island
  • Higher cost of living
  • Smaller food variety
  • Colder winter climate
South Carolina iconSouth Carolina
  • 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

ComparisonSouth CarolinaRhode Island
Most iconic local food itemShrimp and GritsClam Cakes
Most popular meat dishBarbecueStuffed Quahogs
Most popular street food itemBoiled PeanutsHot Wieners
Most popular vegan foodCollard GreensJohnny Cakes
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Husk
  • FIG
  • Hominy Grill
  • Al Forno
  • The Mooring Seafood Kitchen & Bar
  • Olneyville New York System
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 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

ComparisonSouth CarolinaRhode Island
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, RanchColonial, Cottage
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 listingSpacious yards, Outdoor livingCoastal 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 Carolina’s $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

ComparisonSouth CarolinaRhode Island
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 DisastersHurricanes, floodsNor'easters, blizzards
Air QualityGoodModerate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)90Β°F / 71Β°F82Β°F / 63Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)59Β°F / 38Β°F40Β°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

ComparisonSouth CarolinaRhode Island
Avg. Household Income$64,115$81,854
Cost of Living Index96.85123.3
State Income Tax7%5.99%
Avg. Property Tax0.57%1.63%
Avg. Sales Tax7.46%7%
Top 3 IndustriesManufacturing, Tourism, AgricultureHealthcare, Education, Manufacturing
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • 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

ComparisonSouth CarolinaRhode Island
Political Make-upConservativeLiberal
Local PoliticsRepublican-dominated state legislatureDemocrat-dominated state legislature
ReligionEvangelical ProtestantCatholic
  • 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

ComparisonSouth CarolinaRhode 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 SchoolsMount Pleasant Academy (Mount Pleasant)
Buist Academy (Charleston)
Clemson Elementary (Clemson)
Rockwell Elementary (Bristol)
Community School (Cumberland)
Nayatt School (Barrington)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsMontessori 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 SchoolsAcademic 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 schoolsPorter-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 schoolsChrist 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 DistrictsFort 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 - $5,000
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,447300 ft3$4.82
1 Bedroom$2,152450 ft3$4.78
2 Bedrooms$3,554750 ft3$4.74
3 Bedrooms$5,1661100 ft3$4.70
4 Bedrooms$7,4461600 ft3$4.65
5+ Bedrooms$8,3001800 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.

TOP PICK
Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC featured image

Luxury Movers Moving Company, LLC

Best moving company overall for South Carolina to Rhode Island

9.34/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Swamp Rabbit Moving

Swamp Rabbit Moving

9.34/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Smooth Move Charleston featured image

Smooth Move Charleston

9.21/10
ExceptionalView details
Top South Carolina to Rhode Island Routes

Charleston to Rhode Island