($1,530) Cost of Moving From California to Rhode Island

Quick answer: The average cost to move from California to Rhode Island ranges from $1,721 to $8,382 and takes seven–21 days. The top cost factors are how much you’re moving, your move date, and whether you hire a company or do the move yourself.

Professional
$1,530 – $4,031
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.85 / 5
read our full review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran owned
Container
$1,516 – $2,574
Pods
star star star star star 4.8 / 5
read our full review
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Freight
$1,418 – $2,316
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
read our full review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves
Rental Truck
$1,606 – $3,273
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
read our full review
Affordable pricing
Online pricing
Several discounts

Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from Rhode Island to California guide.

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Each year, 400,000+ people trust our car shipping recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:

  • Founded in 2015
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  • Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
  • Fact-checked for accuracy

The best California to Rhode Island full-service movers

Moving from California to Rhode Island? With thousands of moving companies in the U.S., hiring the right interstate moving company can be a challenge.

To simplify your search, we've selected the most reliable movers based on our detailed analysis of customer reviews, pricing, and service offerings.

Start with these top long-distance moving companies serving California for your Rhode Island relocation:

Best Overall Value
Licensedcheckmark
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.85 / 5
(855) 650-0657
At A Glance
  • GPS tracking en route
  • Veteran-owned
  • Dedicated move coordinator
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Donates a portion of moves to charity
read our full review
(855) 650-0657
Best for personalized service
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
(980) 217-6841
At A Glance
  • Family-owned, with locations covering the East Coast
  • Full refund if you cancel within 7 days of your move
  • Hands-on customer service
  • 24/7 support
  • Price-matching policy
read our full review
(980) 217-6841
Most Experienced Mover
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(866) 835-2392
At A Glance
  • Experienced & fully trained moving crews
  • Specializes in moving art & antiques
  • Competitive pricing
  • Can handle last-minute moves
  • Climate-controlled storage
read our full review
(866) 835-2392
Best Nationwide Coverage
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
At A Glance
  • 30 days storage included
  • Local and long distance moving options
  • Unlimited loading/unloading time
  • Store on property or at a facility
read our full review
Check prices
Best customized Plans
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
(844) 950-2963
At A Glance
  • Custom crates for electronics & art
  • Satellite shipment tracking
  • 1,500 local agents covering all 50 states
  • Self-packing option
  • No deposit required
read our full review
(844) 950-2963

The best California to Rhode Island moving container companies

Moving containers allow you to save money without having to go the full DIY route. While you’ll have to handle loading and unloading, the container company has you covered on transportation — they’ll pick up your pod in California and drop it off at your new home in Rhode Island.

Check out these highly rated moving container companies:

Best Nationwide Coverage
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
At A Glance
  • 30 days storage included
  • Local and long distance moving options
  • Unlimited loading/unloading time
  • Store on property or at a facility
read our full review
Check prices
Best value container
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 5 / 5
Check prices Visit Website
At A Glance
  • Long distance moves only
  • Only pay for the space you use
  • No deposit or initial fees
  • Fast delivery time frames
read our full review
Check prices Check prices
best for large moves
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (352) 322-2920
At A Glance
  • Combines affordability of DIY moving with convenience of a truck and driver
  • Only pay for the truck space you use
  • Offers vehicle shipping
read our full review
Check prices (352) 322-2920

The best California to Rhode Island moving truck rentals

Moving truck rentals are the most cost-effective way to move from California to Rhode Island, although they’re also the most labor-intensive. You’ll save big by doing all the heavy lifting and driving.

We like these rental moving trucks:

Best Value Rental
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
Check prices Visit Website
At A Glance
  • Competitive base prices with specialized discounts
  • Round-trip and one-way moves available
  • User-friendly website makes it easy to book the right truck
read our full review
Check prices Check prices
Best Availability
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.15 / 5
Check prices (800) 468-4285
At A Glance
  • More than 20,000 locations with prominent pricing
  • Rental options include everything from pick-up trucks to 26-foot moving trucks
  • Gentle-Ride Suspension add protection to avoid damaging your items during transit
  • U-Box moving containers available if you don't want to drive
read our full review
Check prices (800) 468-4285

The best California to Rhode Island labor-only movers

If you need help moving some or all of your items into a container or rental truck, you can hire labor-only movers. They’ll send over a professional crew the right size for your move and you’ll pay only for the amount of time they work.

Consider one of these top-notch moving labor companies for your move from California to Rhode Island:

Best Labor Only
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices Visit Website
At A Glance
  • First call quoting, get a quote in just a couple of minutes
  • Rates are typically 20-40% lower than the industry averages
  • $1,000 money-back service guarantee
  • Fast and accurate delivery times
  • Free damage coverage with additional coverage options
read our full review
Check prices Check prices
Best customer experience
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
(866) 774-5063
At A Glance
  • Quick and easy booking process
  • National 4.75/5 star rating (these guys are good at what they do)
  • Dedicated move concierge specialist
  • Pay as you go service. 2-hour minimum and then prorated down to the minute
  • The time clock starts when the movers arrive and ends when you tell them
read our full review
(866) 774-5063

How we chose the best moving companies for your CA to RI movetoggle

moveBuddha’s expert team analyzed moving rates from 281 California movers and listed the top movers based on customer satisfaction, reviews, and cost.

Customer satisfaction (40%): The company consistently delivers services in a timely matter with good communication and within the estimated cost.

Dispute resolution (20%): Mistakes cannot be avoided in the moving industry. We look for companies that own their mistakes and make genuine efforts to fix any issues that arise during a move.

Industry reputation (15%): The company is well-regarded within the moving industry and participates in industry conferences and organizations.

Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information. The company promptly and professionally responds to online customer inquiries.

Service options (10%): We look for companies with a deep breadth of services including full packing, storage, specialty item handling, and expedited delivery.

Here is our full moving company rating methodology.

How much does it cost to move from California to Rhode Island?

The table below lays out average cost ranges to move from California to Rhode Island for different moving services depending on the size of your home.

Move size Moving company Moving container Rental truck
Studio / 1 Bedroom $1,530 - $5,837 $1,516 - $3,671 $1,606 - $3,084
2 - 3 bedrooms $4,218 - $8,382 $2,581 - $5,744 $1,721 - $3,865
4+ bedrooms $8,592 - $13,665 $3,639 - $7,243 $2,268 - $4,604

*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 3,077 miles and historical averages. The actual size of your move, additional services required, truck parking access, market conditions, and availability can greatly affect your final costs.

Cost to hire movers from California to Rhode Islandtoggle

Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from California to Rhode Island will cost between $1,530 and $5,837. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from CA to RI will range from $4,218 to $8,382, and a large move from California to Rhode Island will cost from $8,592 to $13,665.

Cost of moving containers from California to Rhode Islandtoggle

Moving containers from California to Rhode Island will cost you $1,516 to $3,671 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,581 to $5,744. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $3,639 to $7,243. Learn more about PODS cost.

Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of California.

Cost of moving truck rentals from California to Rhode Islandtoggle

A moving rental truck is generally the cheapest option, but it requires you to do all of the driving and labor.

Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment in a rental truck will cost around $1,606 to $3,084. A two to three-bedroom move will cost $1,721 to $3,865, and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from California to Rhode Island costs from $2,268 to $4,604.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.

Factors affecting the cost of moving from CA to RI

There are many factors that influence California moving costs. The cost to move from California to Rhode Island will depend on these factors:

  • Move size: Moving a large home costs more than moving a studio apartment.
  • Time of year: The peak moving season in California is in the summer, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • DIY vs. professional mover: DIY moving services are cheaper but you do all the heavy lifting compared to letting the pros handle your move.

What to know before moving from CA to RI

If you’re moving to Rhode Island from California, you’ll want to compare what life will be like.

Cost of living: California vs. Rhode Island

California Rhode Island
Average rent cost $1,856 $1,195
Average home cost $771,057 $467,485
Average income (per capita) $91,905 $81,370
Cost of Living Index 134 100
Unemployment rate 5.4% 4.6%
Average Sales Tax 8.68% 7.0%
State Income Tax 13.3% 5.99%
  • Rent is about 36% less expensive in Rhode Island than in California.
  • Home prices are about 39% lower in Rhode Island than in California.
  • The average income is about 11% lower in Rhode Island than in California.
  • Cost of living is 25% lower in Rhode Island than in California.
  • Rhode Island has a lower unemployment rate than California by about 15%.
  • Sales taxes are 19% lower in Rhode Island than in California.
  • Income taxes are 55% lower in Rhode Island than in California.

How life is different in Rhode Island vs. California

Rhode Island California
Population 1,093,734 39,029,342
Political leaning Democratic 56-44 Democratic 59-41
Summer high 82ºF 87ºF
Winter low 19ºF 59ºF
Annual rain 50" 22"
Annual snow 35" 7"
Crime index 14.58 28.43
  • The population of Rhode Island is approximately 97% lower than the population of California.
  • In the last presidential election, Rhode Island voted Democratic and California voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in Rhode Island is 82ºF and in California, it’s 87ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Rhode Island reaches the temperature of 19ºF and California gets down to 59ºF.
  • You can expect about 50 inches of annual rainfall in Rhode Island versus 22 inches of rainfall in California.
  • In Rhode Island, it snows about 35 inches annually versus 7 inches of snow in California.
  • Rhode Island has a lower crime rate than California with a crime index of 14.58 vs. 28.43.

Comparing the pros of California vs. Rhode Island

Getting a fresh start in a new location is exciting. Here’s a side-by-side look at the perks of living in Rhode Island compared to California.

Pros of living in California Pros of living in Rhode Island
Ample economic opportunity Beautiful landscapes
Pleasant weather Delicious seafood
Abundant recreational options Rich history
High quality of life Amazing beaches
Fresh and healthy foods Short drives

Comparing the cons of living in California vs. Rhode Island

Everything can’t be sunshine and rainbows all the time, no matter where you live. Here are some things to be aware of when leaving California for Rhode Island.

Cons of living in California Cons of living in Rhode Island
High cost of living High cost of living
Heavy tax burdens Heavy traffic and lousy drivers
Natural disasters Smallest state
Terrible traffic Cold winters
Strange laws Dense population

Other things to consider for your California to Rhode Island movetoggle

  • Weather: Rhode Island has warm summers and cold winters. The state's southern coastal portions have hot summers and cool winters with a mix of rain and snow.
  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
  • Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
  • State licensing: In Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission (RIPUC) is responsible for providing regulation and oversight of the moving and storage industry. The state maintains a database of licensed movers, though some information may not be current. To verify that the movers you’re considering are licensed, insured, and authorized to provide relocation services without the state, check the above link and call (401) 780-9700. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Rhode Island moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Rhode Island does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form so that all your mail will get properly forwarded to Rhode Island. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Interstate moving companies are required under federal law to provide basic insurance — also called “released value protection” — free of charge to all moving customers. In Rhode Island, movers often provide Released Value Protection at no additional cost, offering coverage at 60 cents per pound. For enhanced protection, discuss Full Value Protection with the moving company or explore third-party insurance options. Prioritize understanding coverage limits, potential extra costs, and reading reviews before choosing an insurance plan for your move.
  • Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Things to do in Rhode Islandtoggle

While you’re in Rhode Island, you won’t be bored. These are some of the coolest places to visit in your new home state:

  • 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
  • RISD Museum of Art
  • Bellevue Avenue Historic District
  • Narragansett Bay Beaches
  • Colt State Park
  • Benefit Street and John Brown House
  • Herreshoff Marine Museum
  • Fort Adams State Park
  • Beavertail Lighthouse Museum
  • International Tennis Hall of Fame
  • Misquamicut State Beach
  • Touro Synagogue National Historic Site
  • National Museum of American Illustration
  • Naval War College Museum
  • McCoy Stadium
  • Adventureland Family Fun Park
  • Rhode Island State House
  • Living Sharks Museum
  • Bowen’s Wharf
  • Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge
  • Newport Car Museum

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to move from California to Rhode Island?toggle

Hiring a full-service California moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually the cheaper way to go, but requires more work. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.

Do movers transport your car from California to Rhode Island?toggle

Some full-service movers can coordinate auto transport for you as part of your relocation package for an additional fee. But you can also handle vehicle transport from California to Rhode Island separately through one of the top car shipping companies.

What are the benefits of moving from California to Rhode Island?toggle

The main reasons people are moving from California to Rhode Island are the amazing upsides of living in Rhode Island such as beautiful landscapes and delicious seafood.

Is it cheaper to live in California or Rhode Island?toggle

It is generally cheaper to live in Rhode Island than in California. Housing is much more affordable in Rhode Island, with average rent about 36% less and home prices 39.4% lower than in California. Taxes are also lower in Rhode Island, most notably income taxes, which are more than 50% less than those paid by California residents.

How much should you make a year to live comfortably in Rhode Island?toggle

You should make approximately $34,978 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Rhode Island. The cost of living in Rhode Island is approximately $1,247 per month for an individual and $2,703 for a family of four. The exact amount you’ll need to live comfortably may be more or less depending on where in Rhode Island you live For example, larger cities like Providence and Warwick will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.

Helpful moving resources