Virginia to Rhode Island Moving Guide
Updated June 14, 2025

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
- Heavy traffic
- Sweltering summers
- High property taxes
- Predominantly rural
- Less congestion
- Mild coastal climate
- Competitive property taxes
- Rich urban culture
- Higher living expenses
- Limited job market
- Fewer historical landmarks
- Limited green spaces
- 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
Comparison | Virginia | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Virginia Ham | Clam Cakes |
Most popular meat dish | Barbecue | Stuffed Quahogs |
Most popular street food item | Peanuts | Hot Wieners |
Most popular vegan food | Kale Salad | Seitan Sandwich |
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 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, LβAuberge Chez FranΓ§ois, and Mama Jβs 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
Comparison | Virginia | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Cape Cod | Colonial, Victorian |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious 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 Virginiaβs $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
Comparison | Virginia | 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 | Blizzards, Coastal Storms |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 66Β°F | 82Β°F / 63Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 48Β°F / 29Β°F | 40Β°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
Comparison | Virginia | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $85,873 | $81,854 |
Cost of Living Index | 96.6 | 123.3 |
State Income Tax | 5.75% | 5.99% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.80% | 1.53% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.30% | 7.00% |
Top 3 Industries | Government, Technology, Agriculture | Health Services, Education, Manufacturing |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- 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
Comparison | Virginia | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Moderate, leaning Democratic | Strongly Democratic |
Local Politics | Varies by region; Northern VA leans more liberal | Largely liberal, especially in urban areas |
Religion | Christian (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
Comparison | Virginia | Rhode 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 Schools | Arlington 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 Schools | Longfellow 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 Schools | Thomas 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 schools | The Madeira School (McLean) Episcopal High School (Alexandria) St. Christopherβs School (Richmond) | Moses Brown School (Providence) St. George's School (Middletown) Wheeler School (Providence) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Flint 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 Districts | Falls 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,298 | 300 ft3 | $4.33 |
1 Bedroom | $1,927 | 450 ft3 | $4.28 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,181 | 750 ft3 | $4.24 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,618 | 1100 ft3 | $4.20 |
4 Bedrooms | $6,649 | 1600 ft3 | $4.16 |
5+ Bedrooms | $7,404 | 1800 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.