($1,433) Moving From California to Rhode Island
Quick answer: The average cost to move from California to Rhode Island ranges from $1,800 to $8,850 and takes seven-twenty-one 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.
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Hiring a full-service California moving company will be on the more expensive side, while a rental truck or a moving container is usually cheaper but requires more work.
You may also want to consider the potential added cost of getting your vehicle or boat to your new home as part of your move. 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.
Moving the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our moving from Rhode Island to California guide.
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The best California to Rhode Island movers
Hiring an interstate moving company from California to Rhode Island is a big deal.
There are more than 8,000 moving companies in the U.S. But don’t worry, you won’t have to filter through all of them. We’ve done the research for you and narrowed the list based on customer satisfaction, cost, and services.
Here are the best long-distance moving companies serving California to Rhode Island:
- Safeway Moving: Best overall value
- Mayzlin Relocation: Best for personalized service
- BLVD Moving: Best for quick quotes
- PODS: Best nationwide coverage
- American Van Lines: Most experienced mover
- GPS tracking en route
- Veteran-owned
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing
- Donates a portion of moves to charity
- 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
- Family owned & operated
- Affordable pricing
- Binding estimates
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
- Experienced & fully trained moving crews
- Specializes in moving art & antiques
- Competitive pricing
- Can handle last-minute moves
- Climate-controlled storage
If you’re just trying to ship a few items, here’s a list of our recommended services for small moves.
Looking for local California movers?
| Company | Quote | Rating | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
most popular
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Get A Quote |
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4744 North El Capitan Avenue, Fresno, CA, 93722 (559) 785-0316 |
| Grace Moving Company | Get A Quote |
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800 Janopaul Lane, Modesto, CA, 95351 (209) 551-7772 |
| Two Men and a Truck | Get A Quote |
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3851 Morrow Ln Ste 9, Chico, CA, 95928 (530) 592-0093 |
Visit our Best Movers in California page to see a complete list of moving companies, including hourly rates, services, and reviews.
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 | $1,433 - $6,228 | $1,521 - $3,873 | $1,746 - $3,323 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $4,364 - $8,850 | $2,642 - $5,426 | $1,800 - $3,761 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $8,377 - $14,399 | $3,913 - $8,037 | $2,345 - $5,051 |
*These price ranges are a rough estimate based on 3,078 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.
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.
How much does it cost to hire movers from California to Rhode Island?
Hiring movers for a studio apartment or one-bedroom home from California to Rhode Island will cost between $1,433 and $6,228. The cost to move a two- to three-bedroom home from CA to RI will range from $4,364 to $8,850, and a large move from California to Rhode Island will cost from $8,377 to $14,399.
How much are moving containers like PODS from California to Rhode Island?
Moving containers from California to Rhode Island will cost you $1,521 to $3,873 for a small move. For a two- to three-bedroom move, moving containers can cost $2,642 to $5,426. A four-bedroom move or bigger will cost $3,913 to $8,037. Learn more about PODS cost.
Here are the cheapest moving container companies when moving out of California.
How much is a moving truck from California to Rhode Island?
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
$1,746 to $3,323.
A two to three-bedroom move will cost
$1,800 to $3,761,
and moving a home with four or more bedrooms or from California to Rhode Island costs from
$2,345 to $5,051.
These estimates include the estimated fuel cost.
Is moving from California to Rhode Island a good idea?
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 | $1,586 | $1,031 |
| Average home cost | $746,055 | $435,415 |
| Average income (per capita) | $91,905 | $81,370 |
| Cost of Living Index | 100 | 100 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.8% | 2.7% |
| Average Sales Tax | 8.68% | 7.0% |
| State Income Tax | 13.3% | 5.99% |
- Rent is about 35% less expensive in Rhode Island than in California.
- Home prices are about 42% lower in Rhode Island than in California.
- The average income is about 11% lower in Rhode Island than in California.
- Cost of living is about the same in Rhode Island and California.
- Rhode Island has a lower unemployment rate than California by about 44%.
- Sales taxes are 19% lower in Rhode Island than in California.
- Income taxes are 55% lower in Rhode Island than in California.
How does life in Rhode Island differ from California?
| Rhode Island | California | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,093,734 | 39,029,342 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 60-39 | Democratic 63-34 |
| Summer high | 82ºF | 87ºF |
| Winter low | 19ºF | 59ºF |
| Annual rain | 50" | 22" |
| Annual snow | 35" | 7" |
| Crime index | 14.5 | 27.88 |
- 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 fifty inches of annual rainfall in Rhode Island versus twenty-two inches of rainfall in California.
- In Rhode Island, it snows about thirty-five inches annually versus seven inches of snow in California.
- Rhode Island has a lower crime rate than California with a crime index of 27.88 vs 14.5.
Comparing the pros of California vs. Rhode Island
There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in California versus Rhode Island side by side.
| 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
Not everything is 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 |
What to know before your move to Rhode Island
- 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 Island
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?
The cheapest way to move from California to Rhode Island is with a DIY move. Here’s our guide for the cheapest way to move out of state.
What are the benefits of moving from California to Rhode Island?
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?
It is generally cheaper to live in Rhode Island than in California. While the overall cost of living is similar for both states, housing is much more affordable in Rhode Island, with average rent about 35% less and home prices 41.6% 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?
You should make approximately $0 as a single adult with no children to live comfortably in Arizona. The cost of living in Arizona is approximately $0 per month for an individual and $0 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 Barrington and Bristol will have higher housing costs than those in smaller towns.
