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Virginia to Rhode Island Moving Guide

Updated June 14, 2025

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Planning a 572 mile interstate move from Virginia to Rhode Island? This moving guide will help you compare living in Virginia vs Rhode Island across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like heavy traffic vs less congestion), food & health (like Virginia Ham vs Clam Cakes), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod vs colonial, victorian), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Rhode Island), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Virginia Ham and Barbecue, but get your taste buds ready for Clam Cakes & Stuffed Quahogs
  • Rhode Island housing costs are 17% more expensive than they are in Virginia
  • Rent in Rhode Island is 13.73% more expensive than in Virginia
  • Moving from Virginia to Rhode Island will cost on average between $1,500 - $4,500
  • Our top recommended Virginia to Rhode Island movers is ARS Movers

Virginia to Rhode Island Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Virginia to Rhode Island

ConsVirginia iconVirginia
  • Heavy traffic
  • Sweltering summers
  • High property taxes
  • Predominantly rural
ProsRhode Island iconRhode Island
  • Less congestion
  • Mild coastal climate
  • Competitive property taxes
  • Rich urban culture

Rhode Island iconRhode Island
  • Higher living expenses
  • Limited job market
  • Fewer historical landmarks
  • Limited green spaces
Virginia iconVirginia
  • Lower living costs
  • Strong local economy
  • Rich historical sites
  • Extensive parks

Pros of moving from Virginia to Rhode Island

  • Say goodbye to heavy traffic and hello to less congestion
  • Look forward to moving away from sweltering summers and moving to Rhode Island with a mild coastal climate
  • Swap the high property taxes of Virginia for competitive property taxes in Rhode Island
  • Get ready for a rich urban culture in Rhode Island

Cons of moving from Virginia to Rhode Island

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from lower living costs in Virginia to live with higher living expenses in Rhode Island
  • You'll lose out on the pro of a strong local economy and have to settle with the con of a limited job market
  • Time to bid farewell to rich historical sites and get used to fewer historical landmarks in Rhode Island
  • Swap extensive parks for limited green spaces

Virginia vs. Rhode Island: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonVirginiaRhode Island
Most iconic local food itemVirginia HamClam Cakes
Most popular meat dishBarbecueStuffed Quahogs
Most popular street food itemPeanutsHot Wieners
Most popular vegan foodKale SaladSeitan Sandwich
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Inn at Little Washington
  • L’Auberge Chez FranΓ§ois
  • Mama J’s Kitchen
  • Al Forno
  • The White Horse Tavern
  • Hemenway's Seafood Grill & Oyster Bar
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 Virginia to Rhode Island, you will be trading the iconic Virginia Ham of Virginia for the equally delicious Clam Cakes of Rhode Island. And while the locals in Virginia rave about their flavorful Barbecue and sumptuous 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 Kale Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Seitan Sandwich of Rhode Island. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Virginia eateries like The Inn at Little Washington, L’Auberge Chez FranΓ§ois, and Mama J’s Kitchen. 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 White Horse Tavern, and Hemenway's Seafood Grill and Oyster Bar.

When comparing lifestyles, Rhode Island shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Virginia. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Rhode Island compared to what you are used to in Virginia. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Rhode Island.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Virginia and Rhode Island

ComparisonVirginiaRhode Island
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, Cape CodColonial, Victorian
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, Proximity to Washington D.C.Coastline views, Historic charm
  • The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Virginia is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Victorian architecture typical of Rhode Island.
  • Compared to Virginia's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and proximity to Washington D.C., Rhode Island real estate listings often highlight features like coastline views and historic charm.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Rhode Island is more walkable than Virginia.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Rhode Island is more bike-friendly than Virginia.
  • Rhode Island has more of an urban feel than Virginia.
  • Rhode Island housing costs are 17% more expensive than they are in Virginia, with a median home price of $451,868 compared to Virginia’s $385,780.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Rhode Island have increased by 55% compared to a 42% increase in Virginia.
  • Rent in Rhode Island is 13.73% more expensive than in Virginia.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Virginia and Rhode Island

ComparisonVirginiaRhode 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, FloodsBlizzards, Coastal Storms
Air QualityGood to ModerateGood
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F / 66Β°F82Β°F / 63Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)48Β°F / 29Β°F40Β°F / 20Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)44"47"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)10-20"33-40"
  • The shades won't be used as much for your move from Virginia to Rhode Island. Rhode Island gets 2% fewer sunshine days than Virginia.
  • Rhode Island has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Virginia.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and floods in Virginia, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and coastal storms in Rhode Island.
  • The average summer high temperature in Rhode Island is 3 degrees colder than in Virginia.
  • The average winter lows are 9 degrees colder than they are in Virginia.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Rhode Island. Rhode Island receives 3 more inches of rain compared to Virginia.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Virginia and Rhode Island

ComparisonVirginiaRhode Island
Avg. Household Income$85,873$81,854
Cost of Living Index96.6123.3
State Income Tax5.75%5.99%
Avg. Property Tax0.80%1.53%
Avg. Sales Tax5.30%7.00%
Top 3 IndustriesGovernment, Technology, AgricultureHealth Services, Education, Manufacturing
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Rhode Island tend to earn about 5% less than in Virginia
  • The COLI in Rhode Island will be 28% higher than what you are used to living in Virginia
  • The state income tax in RI is 5.99% compared to 5.75% in VA
  • The affluence in Rhode Island is moderate compared to moderate in Virginia
  • The poverty level is moderate in Rhode Island compared to low in Virginia
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Virginia and moderate in Rhode Island

Political and Religious Climate in Virginia vs. Rhode Island

ComparisonVirginiaRhode Island
Political Make-upModerate, leaning DemocraticStrongly Democratic
Local PoliticsVaries by region; Northern VA leans more liberalLargely liberal, especially in urban areas
ReligionChristian (Evangelical, Mainline Protestant, Catholic)Catholic-majority
  • Virginia tends to lean moderate, leaning Democratic in its political climate
  • Rhode Island, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic
  • Rhode Island's religious environment can be described as Catholic majority
  • Virginia's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian (Evangelical, Mainline Protestant, Catholic)

Education Guide When Moving from Virginia to Rhode Island

ComparisonVirginiaRhode Island
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Virginia
Virginia Tech
William & Mary
Brown University
University of Rhode Island
Rhode Island School of Design
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsArlington Science Focus School (Arlington)
Stenwood Elementary School (Vienna)
Lucketts Elementary School (Leesburg)
Rockwell Elementary School (Bristol)
Nayatt School (Barrington)
Community School (Cumberland)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsLongfellow Middle School (Falls Church)
Frost Middle School (Fairfax)
Seneca Ridge Middle School (Sterling)
Barrington Middle School (Barrington)
Wickford Middle School (North Kingstown)
Portsmouth Middle School (Portsmouth)
Top 3 High SchoolsThomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (Alexandria)
McLean High School (McLean)
Langley High School (McLean)
Classical High School (Providence)
Barrington High School (Barrington)
East Greenwich High School (East Greenwich)
Top 3 private high schoolsThe Madeira School (McLean)
Episcopal High School (Alexandria)
St. Christopher’s School (Richmond)
Moses Brown School (Providence)
St. George's School (Middletown)
Wheeler School (Providence)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsFlint Hill School (Oakton)
The Potomac School (McLean)
Norfolk Academy (Norfolk)
Lincoln School (Providence)
The Wheeler School (Providence)
Rocky Hill Country Day School (East Greenwich)
Top 3 School DistrictsFalls Church City Public Schools
Loudoun County Public Schools
Fairfax County Public Schools
Barrington Public Schools
East Greenwich Public Schools
Cumberland School Department

How Much Do Virginia to Rhode Island Movers Cost?

Moving 572 miles from Virginia to Rhode Island will typically cost between $2,000 and $4,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,000 - $4,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Estes SureMove
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,298300 ft3$4.33
1 Bedroom$1,927450 ft3$4.28
2 Bedrooms$3,181750 ft3$4.24
3 Bedrooms$4,6181100 ft3$4.20
4 Bedrooms$6,6491600 ft3$4.16
5+ Bedrooms$7,4041800 ft3$4.11

Top Virginia to Rhode Island Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Virginia to Rhode Island movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
ARS Movers featured image

ARS Movers

Best moving company overall for Virginia to Rhode Island

9.64/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
A Change of Place Movers

A Change of Place Movers

9.59/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Matthew's Nationwide Moving featured image

Matthew's Nationwide Moving

9.49/10
ExceptionalView details
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