West Virginia to Rhode Island Moving Guide
Updated June 3, 2025

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
- Fewer job opportunities
- Limited public transport
- Higher smoking rates
- Narrow cultural diversity
- Thriving job market
- Comprehensive public transit
- Healthier lifestyle options
- Diverse cultural scene
- Higher cost of living
- Less nature, more urban
- More transient population
- Fast-paced lifestyle
- 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
Comparison | West Virginia | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pepperoni Roll | Calamari |
Most popular meat dish | Country Ham | Stuffies (Stuffed Quahogs) |
Most popular street food item | Hot Dogs with sauce and slaw | Clam Cakes |
Most popular vegan food | Mine Shaft Veggie Burger | Vegan Deli 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 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
Comparison | West Virginia | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Ranch | Colonial, Victorian |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Mountain views, Proximity to national parks | Coastal 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 Virginiaβs $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
Comparison | West 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 | Floods, Winter Storms | Hurricanes, Winter Storms |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85/62 | 82/63 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 41/21 | 40/20 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 42 | 47 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 33 | 34 |
- 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
Comparison | West Virginia | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $54,329 | $81,854 |
Cost of Living Index | 95 | 123.3 |
State Income Tax | 4.55% | 5.99% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.59% | 1.35% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.0% | 7.0% |
Top 3 Industries | Mining, Manufacturing, Retail | Health Services, Education, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | Higher |
Poverty | Higher | Moderate |
Homelessness | Lower | Higher |
- 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
Comparison | West Virginia | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Conservative | Lean Liberal |
Local Politics | Local government focus on coal, energy | Local government focus on maritime, education |
Religion | Primarily Protestant | Mixed, 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
Comparison | West Virginia | Rhode 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 Schools | Winfield Elementary (Winfield) Kenna Elementary (Charleston) Culloden Elementary (Culloden) | Rockwell Elementary (Bristol) Nayatt School (Barrington) Community School (Cumberland) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Winfield Middle (Winfield) John Adams Middle (Charleston) Suncrest Middle (Morgantown) | Barrington Middle (Barrington) Gallagher Middle (Smithfield) Wickford Middle (North Kingstown) |
Top 3 High Schools | George Washington High (Charleston) Morgantown High (Morgantown) Bridgeport High (Bridgeport) | Classical High (Providence) Barrington High (Barrington) East Greenwich High (East Greenwich) |
Top 3 private high schools | The 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 schools | Wheeling 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 Districts | Monongalia 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,570 | 300 ft3 | $5.23 |
1 Bedroom | $2,332 | 450 ft3 | $5.18 |
2 Bedrooms | $3,850 | 750 ft3 | $5.13 |
3 Bedrooms | $5,591 | 1100 ft3 | $5.08 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,053 | 1600 ft3 | $5.03 |
5+ Bedrooms | $8,969 | 1800 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.

Country Roads Moving LLC
Best moving company overall for West Virginia to Rhode Island