Moving to Rhode Island: Pros and Cons in 2025
If you’re thinking about moving to Rhode Island, you’re not alone. The Ocean State atttacts newcomers for good reason! With bustling metropolitan areas like Providence and quiet rural towns, there’s a place to match your desired pace of life.
As much as there is to love about Rhode Island, it’s smart to weigh the good and the not-so-good before you buy a new home and pack up your belongings.
Here, we’ll walk you through what you need to know about moving to Rhode Island to help you decide if it’s the right fit for you.
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Pros & cons of living in Rhode Island
Like any big move, relocating to Rhode Island comes with its own upsides and potential downsides that are important to consider.
Here’s a look at some of the biggest pros and cons of living in the Ocean State to help you make an informed decision.
Pros of living in RI
- ✓Beautiful landscapes
- ✓Delicious seafood
- ✓Rich history
- ✓Amazing beaches
- ✓Short drives
Cons of living in RI
- ✖High cost of living
- ✖Heavy traffic and lousy drivers
- ✖Smallest state
- ✖Cold winters
- ✖Dense population
Things to do in Rhode Island
Whether you’re moving to Rhode Island work, family, or just a fresh start, you’ll want to get the most out of your new home state — and that includes finding fun things to do. The good news is that, no matter your interests, Rhode Island has lots of fun places to explore and things to do.
You can visit these places with your family or use them to meet new people if you’re alone. With so many choices, you’re sure to find something that suits you and makes you feel comfortable.
Popular Attractions in Rhode Island
- Block Island and Mohegan Bluffs
- Newport Cliff Walk
- The Breakers, Newport
- WaterFire Providence
- Rough Point
- The Providence Athenaeum
- The Elms
- Blithewold Mansion & Gardens
- Roger Williams Park Zoo
- Providence Children’s Museum
Museums in Rhode Island
- The Breakers
- Rhode Island School of Design Museum of Art
- Providence Children’s Museum
- John Brown House Museum
- Old Slater Mill
- Newport Car Museum
- Providence Art Club
- Lippitt House Museum
- Museum of Natural History and Planetarium
- Green Animals Topiary Gardens
Parks in Rhode Island
- Water Place Park
- Roger Williams Park
- Goddard State Park
- India Point Park
- Fort Adams State Park
- Dunes Park
- Roger Williams Park Botanical Center
- Prospect Terrace
- Westerly Library & Wilcox Park
- Burlingame State Park
Fun facts about Rhode Island
Each state has a unique character molded by its history, culture, and residents. Learning about its small details and quirky traditions helps you understand what life there is truly like.
These fun facts about Rhode Island, will give you a glimpse at what makes the state unique, and may even give you a few more reasons to make the move.
- Rhode Island has the longest official name of any state, the “State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.” In 2009, a referendum proposed eradicating the latter half of the name. However, people voted to keep the name intact. Despite the name, Rhode Island is not an island. It is composed of many of them.
- Rhode Island is the smallest state in the nation while Alaska is the largest. It could be fitted into Alaska 425 times. Rhode Island is the second-most densely populated state in the U.S.
- Dutch explorer Adrian Block named the state “Roodt Eylandt” meaning “red island” in reference to the red clay that lined the shore. However, when the region came under British rule, the name was anglicized.
- Rhode Island is nicknamed the “Ocean state” because one can get to the ocean from anywhere in the state in less than an hour’s drive – the state is only 37 miles wide and 48 miles long.
- The state also has the nation’s oldest one-room schoolhouse. It is in Portsmouth. The school house was built in 1716.
- The American straw hat industry was launched by a 12-year-old Betsey Metcalf in 1798 when she started making inexpensive straw hats.
- Bristol is home to the oldest continuous 4th of July parade known as “Bristol Fourth of July Parade,” or “Bristol Fourth of July Celebration.” It started in 1785.
- America’s first circus was hosted in Newport. Performed on May 23, 1774, the visitors paid $0.25 to see Christopher Gardener ride a horse—while standing on his head!
- The first National Lawn Tennis Championship (the precursor to the U.S. Open) was held in Rhode Island in 1899. The state is also home to the Tennis Hall of Fame.
- The first NFL game at night was hosted in Rhode Island.
Rhode Island population and demographics
While you’re thinking about relocating to Rhode Island, it’s important to look beyond facts and figures to get to the story they tell about the Ocean State.
A state with more people might have more jobs, entertainment, and better infrastructure. On the other hand, a state with fewer people could mean a quieter lifestyle and close-knit communities.
Average education levels show the availability of job opportunities or access to local schools and colleges. Political breakdowns may indicate a state’s values and priorities.
Understanding who lives in Rhode Island, how they live, and what they value can make it much easier to decide if it’s the kind of place where you’d feel comfortable and connected.
| Metric | Rhode Island |
|---|---|
| Population | 1,093,734 |
| Female | 51.% |
| Male | 49% |
| College graduation rate | 36.5% |
| Political leaning | Democratic 56-44 |
| Crime index | 14.58 |
Rhode Island weather
Climate plays a huge role in shaping your day-to-day life, so it’s an important factor to consider when deciding whether Rhode Island is right for you. Looking at seasonal highs and lows and average rain and snowfall can help you imagine how much time you’ll be spending outdoors, preparing for storms, and adjusting to temperature extremes.
Summer highs can influence your energy bills and how much time you spend away from the AC. Winter lows determine the type of wardrobe and heating system you’ll need. Annual snowfall can range from light flurries to major storms that affect travel and daily life.
Whether you love sunshine, prefer cooler temps, or want to avoid snow altogether, knowing the climate can help you decide if Rhode Island aligns with your lifestyle and comfort level.
| Metric | Rhode Island |
|---|---|
| Summer high | 82ºF |
| Winter low | 19ºF |
| Annual rain | 50″ |
| Annual snow | 35″ |
Income and cost of living in Rhode Island
A look at major industries, average income, housing costs, and the overall cost of living gives you a clearer picture of how affordable and sustainable life will likely be in Rhode Island.
Knowing which industries boost the economy can help you evaluate job prospects in your field or foresee job market stability. If you’re thinking about renting or buying a home, housing costs are probably a major factor when deciding whether to move.
The cost of living index shows how much your money is worth compared to the national average. A lower index usually means daily expenses such as groceries, transportation, and housing are cheaper.
These numbers are more than just statistics. They’re practical tools that help you compare your current lifestyle to what’s possible in Rhode Island and make a confident, informed decision about your move.
The main economic industries in the state include:
- Real estate and rental and leasing ($8.7 billion)
- Educational services, health care, and social assistance ($8 billion)
- Professional and business services ($7.8 billion)
- Finance and insurance ($5.8 billion)
- Manufacturing ($5.1 billion)
- Wholesale trade ($3.6 billion)
- Retail trade ($3.3 billion)
- Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services ($3 billion)
- Construction ($2.4 billiion)
- Information ($1.5 billion)
| Metric | Rhode Island |
|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,195 |
| Average home cost | $467,485 |
| Average income (per capita) | $81,370 |
| Cost of living index* | 100 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.6% |
| Average sales tax | Not available |
| State income tax | 5.99% |
*To figure out the cost of living in each state, there’s a 100-point index, known as the cost of living index. This metric starts with a baseline number of 100. States with a number below that are less expensive to live in while states with numbers higher than 100 are more expensive to live in.
Top schools in Rhode Island
If education influences your decision to move, a state’s schools reflect its career opportunities and community resources.
Whether you’re planning to go back to school yourself, have kids nearing graduation, or just want to live in a state with strong academic options, it’s worth checking out what Rhode Island has to offer.
Here are some of the top schools in Rhode Island:
- Brown University
- University of Rhode Island
- Rhode Island School of Design
- Rhode Island College
- Johnson and Wales University
- Bryant University
- Roger Williams University
- Providence College
- Salve Regina University
- New England Institute of Technology
Finding the best moving company for your relocation to Rhode Island
We’ve reviewed hundreds of moving companies and worked directly with customers to identify the top movers across the country.
If you’re planning on moving to the Ocean State, here are the best moving companies to help you transport your belongings to your new home wherever you are headed from.
- Alabama to RI
- Arkansas to RI
- Arizona to RI
- California to RI
- Colorado to RI
- Connecticut to RI
- Delaware to RI
- Florida to RI
- Georgia to RI
- Iowa to RI
- Idaho to RI
- Illinois to RI
- Indiana to RI
- Kansas to RI
- Kentucky to RI
- Louisiana to RI
- Massachusetts to RI
- Maryland to RI
- Maine to RI
- Michigan to RI
- Minnesota to RI
- Missouri to RI
- Mississippi to RI
- Montana to RI
- North Carolina to RI
- North Dakota to RI
- Nebraska to RI
- New Hampshire to RI
- New Jersey to RI
- New Mexico to RI
- Nevada to RI
- New York to RI
- Ohio to RI
- Oklahoma to RI
- Oregon to RI
- Pennsylvania to RI
- South Carolina to RI
- South Dakota to RI
- Tennessee to RI
- Texas to RI
- Utah to RI
- Virginia to RI
- Vermont to RI
- Washington to RI
- Wisconsin to RI
- West Virginia to RI
- Wyoming to RI
Cost of moving to Rhode Island
Before you take the leap to Rhode Island, it’s a good idea to get a handle on moving costs. On average, hiring professional movers will run you about $131 per hour. The total cost depends on how much stuff you have and how far you’re moving. Cross-country moves, for example, will definitely hit your wallet harder than a quick hop across state lines.
The type of move you choose can make a big difference in cost, too.
To keep costs down, choose one of the best moving container companies. You do the packing and loading and they handle the driving for you, so it’s kind of like a middle ground between DIY and full-service.
Want to save even more? The most affordable option is to get a rental truck. With this options, you’ll do all of the heavy lifting, including packing, loading, driving, and unloading.
But if you’d rather not break a sweat, professional interstate movers can do all the work for you. Just keep in mind that this convenience comes at a price. Be sure to get quotes from several different movers to find one that fits your budget and moving needs.
| Company | Quote | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Safeway Moving
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Mayzlin Relocation
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BLVD Moving
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PODS
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American Van Lines
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Cost to bring your car to Rhode Island
Bringing a car with you? Use our car shipping calculator below to estimate how much it’ll cost to transport your vehicle to Rhode Island.
Rhode Island car insurance requirements
Rhode Island drivers license requirements
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