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West Virginia to Rhode Island Moving Guide

Updated June 3, 2025

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Planning a 648 mile interstate move from West Virginia to Rhode Island? This moving guide will help you compare living in West Virginia vs Rhode Island across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like fewer job opportunities vs thriving job market), food & health (like Pepperoni Roll vs Calamari), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch 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 Pepperoni Roll and Country Ham, but get your taste buds ready for Calamari & Stuffies (Stuffed Quahogs)
  • Rhode Island housing costs are 181% more expensive than they are in West Virginia
  • Rent in Rhode Island is 108.35% more expensive than in West Virginia
  • Moving from West Virginia to Rhode Island will cost on average between $1,500 - $5,500
  • Our top recommended West Virginia to Rhode Island movers is Country Roads Moving LLC

West Virginia to Rhode Island Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from West Virginia to Rhode Island

ConsWest Virginia iconWest Virginia
  • Fewer job opportunities
  • Limited public transport
  • Higher smoking rates
  • Narrow cultural diversity
ProsRhode Island iconRhode Island
  • Thriving job market
  • Comprehensive public transit
  • Healthier lifestyle options
  • Diverse cultural scene

Rhode Island iconRhode Island
  • Higher cost of living
  • Less nature, more urban
  • More transient population
  • Fast-paced lifestyle
West Virginia iconWest Virginia
  • Lower cost of living
  • Natural scenic beauty
  • Tight-knit community
  • Simpler lifestyle

Pros of moving from West Virginia to Rhode Island

  • Say goodbye to fewer job opportunities and hello to a thriving job market
  • Look forward to moving away from limited public transport and moving to Rhode Island with comprehensive public transit
  • Swap the higher smoking rates of West Virginia for healthier lifestyle options in Rhode Island
  • Get ready for a diverse cultural scene in Rhode Island

Cons of moving from West Virginia to Rhode Island

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a lower cost of living in West Virginia to live with a higher cost of living in Rhode Island
  • You'll lose out on the pro of natural scenic beauty and have to settle for the con of less nature and more urban
  • Time to bid farewell to a tight-knit community and get used to a more transient population in Rhode Island
  • Swap a simpler lifestyle for a fast-paced lifestyle

West Virginia vs. Rhode Island: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonWest VirginiaRhode Island
Most iconic local food itemPepperoni RollCalamari
Most popular meat dishCountry HamStuffies (Stuffed Quahogs)
Most popular street food itemHot Dogs with sauce and slawClam Cakes
Most popular vegan foodMine Shaft Veggie BurgerVegan Deli Sandwich
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • The Peddler
  • Tudor's Biscuit World
  • Pies & Pints
  • Al Forno
  • Flo's Clam Shack
  • Iggy's Doughboys & Chowder House
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 West Virginia to Rhode Island, you will be trading the iconic Pepperoni Roll of West Virginia for the equally delicious Calamari of Rhode Island. And while the locals in West Virginia rave about their flavorful Country Ham and sumptuous Hot Dogs with sauce and slaw, Rhode Island residents know they have tasty Stuffies (Stuffed Quahogs) and Clam Cakes to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Mine Shaft Veggie Burger they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Deli Sandwich of Rhode Island. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic West Virginia eateries like The Peddler, Tudor's Biscuit World, and Pies & Pints. 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, Flo's Clam Shack, and Iggy's Doughboys and Chowder House.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between West Virginia and Rhode Island

ComparisonWest VirginiaRhode Island
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, RanchColonial, 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 listingMountain views, Proximity to national parksCoastal access, Historical significance
  • The Colonial and Ranch architecture that West Virginia is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Victorian architecture typical of Rhode Island.
  • Compared to West Virginia's real estate listings that commonly reference mountain views and proximity to national parks, Rhode Island real estate listings often highlight features like coastal access and historical significance.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Rhode Island is more walkable than West Virginia.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Rhode Island is more bike-friendly than West Virginia.
  • Rhode Island has more of an urban feel than West Virginia.
  • Rhode Island housing costs are 181% more expensive than they are in West Virginia, with a median home price of $451,868 compared to West Virginia’s $161,063.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Rhode Island have increased 55% compared to a 37% increase in West Virginia.
  • Rent in Rhode Island is 108.35% more expensive than in West Virginia.

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

ComparisonWest VirginiaRhode 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 DisastersFloods, Winter StormsHurricanes, Winter Storms
Air QualityGoodGood
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85/6282/63
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)41/2140/20
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4247
Annual Snowfall (Inches)3334
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from West Virginia to Rhode Island. Rhode Island gets 22% more sunshine days than West Virginia.
  • Rhode Island has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to West Virginia.
  • Say goodbye to the possible floods and winter storms in West Virginia, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and winter storms in Rhode Island.
  • The average summer high temperature in Rhode Island is 3 degrees colder than in West Virginia.
  • The average winter lows in Rhode Island are 1 degree colder than they are in West Virginia.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Rhode Island. Rhode Island receives 5 more inches of rain compared to West Virginia.

Financial & Community Snapshot: West Virginia and Rhode Island

ComparisonWest VirginiaRhode Island
Avg. Household Income$54,329$81,854
Cost of Living Index95123.3
State Income Tax4.55%5.99%
Avg. Property Tax0.59%1.35%
Avg. Sales Tax6.0%7.0%
Top 3 IndustriesMining, Manufacturing, RetailHealth Services, Education, Tourism
AffluenceModerateHigher
PovertyHigherModerate
HomelessnessLowerHigher
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Rhode Island tend to earn about 51% more than those in West Virginia
  • The COLI in Rhode Island is 30% higher than what you are used to living in West Virginia
  • The state income tax in RI is 5.99% compared to 4.55% in WV
  • The affluence in Rhode Island is higher compared to moderate affluence in West Virginia
  • The poverty level is moderate in Rhode Island compared to higher poverty in West Virginia
  • In terms of homelessness, it is lower in West Virginia and higher in Rhode Island

Political and Religious Climate in West Virginia vs. Rhode Island

ComparisonWest VirginiaRhode Island
Political Make-upLean ConservativeLean Liberal
Local PoliticsLocal government focus on coal, energyLocal government focus on maritime, education
ReligionPrimarily ProtestantMixed, with a significant Catholic presence
  • West Virginia tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
  • Rhode Island, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Liberal
  • Rhode Island's religious environment can be described as mixed, with a significant Catholic presence
  • West Virginia's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Protestant

Education Guide When Moving from West Virginia to Rhode Island

ComparisonWest VirginiaRhode Island
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)West Virginia University
Marshall University
Fairmont State University
University of Rhode Island
Rhode Island College
Brown University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsWinfield Elementary (Winfield)
Kenna Elementary (Charleston)
Culloden Elementary (Culloden)
Rockwell Elementary (Bristol)
Nayatt School (Barrington)
Community School (Cumberland)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsWinfield Middle (Winfield)
John Adams Middle (Charleston)
Suncrest Middle (Morgantown)
Barrington Middle (Barrington)
Gallagher Middle (Smithfield)
Wickford Middle (North Kingstown)
Top 3 High SchoolsGeorge Washington High (Charleston)
Morgantown High (Morgantown)
Bridgeport High (Bridgeport)
Classical High (Providence)
Barrington High (Barrington)
East Greenwich High (East Greenwich)
Top 3 private high schoolsThe Linsly School (Wheeling)
Greenbrier Episcopal School (Lewisburg)
Notre Dame High School (Clarksburg)
Moses Brown School (Providence)
St. George's School (Middletown)
The Wheeler School (Providence)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsWheeling Country Day School (Wheeling)
St. Joseph Central Catholic High School (Huntington)
Trinity Christian School (Morgantown)
Moses Brown School (Providence)
Lincoln School (Providence)
The Wheeler School (Providence)
Top 3 School DistrictsMonongalia County Schools
Ohio County Schools
Harrison County Schools
Barrington Public Schools
East Greenwich Public Schools
Cumberland School Department

How Much Do West Virginia to Rhode Island Movers Cost?

Moving 648 miles from West Virginia to Rhode Island will typically cost between $2,500 and $5,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,500 - $5,500
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Country Roads Moving LLC
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,570300 ft3$5.23
1 Bedroom$2,332450 ft3$5.18
2 Bedrooms$3,850750 ft3$5.13
3 Bedrooms$5,5911100 ft3$5.08
4 Bedrooms$8,0531600 ft3$5.03
5+ Bedrooms$8,9691800 ft3$4.98

Top West Virginia to Rhode Island Movers

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

TOP PICK
Country Roads Moving LLC featured image

Country Roads Moving LLC

Best moving company overall for West Virginia to Rhode Island

9.26/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Abates Moving Services LLC

Abates Moving Services LLC

8.53/10
FabulousView details
ALSO GREAT
Xclusive Movers featured image

Xclusive Movers

8.51/10
FabulousView details
Top West Virginia to Rhode Island Routes

Charleston to Rhode Island