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Moving. Simplified.
Are you mulling over moving to Rhode Island?
Rhode Island is famous for being one of the states with the most beautiful beaches in the United States. The best part is, no matter where you are in Rhode Island, you’ll be less than an hour away from a scenic beach.
The Ocean State low crime rate, top quality education, affordable housing, and natural beauty makes it one of the best places to live in the country.
If you love festivals and events, great tasty food, sports, and an eco-friendly environment, moving to Rhode Island is perfect for you.
If you’re considering moving to Rhode Island and wondering if the Ocean State is right for you or not, this guide contains all the information you need to make the right decision.
Let’s jump right in!
A quick look at the population and other demographics of Rhode Island.
The population of Rhode Island is 1,061,510. The state stretches across 1,545 square miles making it the smallest state in the country by surface area. Since you’re considering moving to Rhode Island, check out this simple breakdown of the state’s population:
Rhode Island’s average one-way commute time is 24.6 minutes. The national average is 26.4 minutes. That means commuting time in Rhode Island is shorter than the U.S. average. Here’s how people in Rhode Island commute to work:
Rhode Island has a milder temperature compared to other New England states. Check out key data about the state’s temperature since you’re considering moving to Rhode Island:
Every year, Rhode Island welcomes thousands of people. What makes moving to Rhode Island seem so interesting?
There are several reasons why people are moving to Rhode Island. We’ve made a list of the top ten reasons. Check out the list below:
Despite Rhode Island being a smaller state, it has an astounding 384-mile coastline and the abundance of shorelines has given the state the nickname ‘Ocean State’.
Here is a list of some of the best beaches in Rhode Island to catch up with the ocean.
Rhode Island has just over one million people but it is one of the most diverse states in the country. The state has 5 large ethnic groups – White (Non-Hispanic) (70.8%), White (Hispanic) (7.89%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (5.78%), Other (Hispanic) (5.05%), and Asian (Non-Hispanic) (3.42%). This makes the state a melting pot of cultures where everyone feels at home.
Rhode Island’s culinary scene is second to none and the state has a large number of restaurants, serving authentic native food as well as cuisines from outside the state.
Here’s a list of some amazing restaurants that are worth a visit.
No matter the season, it seems like there’s always something going on in Rhode Island. Whether you like culture, food, or are just a little quirky, you’ll find a festival perfect for you! Here are our 10 picks.
Rhode Island has a long tradition of excellent public education and the state has the 16th best schooling in the US. Rhode Island has many top-notch schools and colleges
Rhode Island experiences all 4 seasons. It has a humid continental climate, with warm summers and cold winters. While winters are cold with frequent rains, summers are hot with an average daily high temperature above 73°F. Snowfall occurs for about 5 months a year.
Homes are cheaper in Rhode Island. The median home cost is $285,200 but it has gone up by 5.45% in the last year. The average rental for a studio apartment is $794.
Rhode Island is ranked as the 8th most eco-friendly state in the US. It is moving faster towards green energy and the state is seriously creating awareness about the shift towards more eco-friendly sources. The state ranks 3rd in gasoline consumption and 2nd in energy consumption per capita. The state also has the 11th cleanest water in the US.
Rhode Island is one of the safest states in the US. The Ocean State boasts the ninth-lowest violent crime rate in the country. Rhode Island reports 2.2 violent crime incidents per 1,000 people, which is much below the national average. The state reports a property crime rate lower than the national average and it further decreased by almost 8% in 2023.
One of the original 13 colonies, Rhode Island is packed with historic places. The state has some of the oldest buildings and streets in the country. Newport is home to the country’s oldest synagogue and Providence has the nation’s first Baptist Church. Rhode Island has the oldest library, the first state-run airport, the first automated post office, and the oldest carousel in the US.
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Considering the pros and cons of living in the Ocean State can help you decide if moving to Rhode Island is right for you or not.
We’ve made a list of the key pros and cons of living in Rhode-Island to help you get started:
Moving to Rhode Island most likely means getting the chance to live in some of the best places in the state.
We’ve made a list of the ten best places to live in the Ocean State to make your house hunting easier. Since you’re considering moving to Rhode Island, check out the list below:
| Rank | City | Population | Unemployment Rate | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kingston | 6,513 | 13.4% | $355,900 |
| 2 | Ashaway | 1,195 | 0.0% | $232,000 |
| 3 | Cumberland Hill | 8,249 | 0.0% | $262,100 |
| 4 | Hope Valley | 1,823 | 6.1% | $254,600 |
| 5 | Cranston | 81,254 | 4.3% | $243,500 |
| 6 | Narragansett Pier | 3,594 | 6.1% | $542,200 |
| 7 | Warwick | 380,993 | 3.7% | $225,300 |
| 8 | Wakefield-Peacedale | 9,504 | 8.7% | $336,900 |
| 9 | Newport East | 11,925 | 4.1% | $361,100 |
| 10 | Greenville | 8,695 | 2.5% | $285,300 |
Rhode Island’s cost of living is rated 110.6. The national average is 100. That means the cost of living in Rhode Island is higher than the national average.
Cost of living is most likely one of the key things you’ll have to consider before moving to Rhode Island.
Since you’re considering moving to Rhode Island, here’s a breakdown of the key metrics that make up the state’s cost of living:
| Costs of living | Rhode Island | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 110.6 | 100 |
| Grocery | 106.5 | 100 |
| Health | 81.9 | 100 |
| Housing | 123.4 | 100 |
| Median Home Cost | $285,200 | $231,200 |
| Utilities | 115.9 | 100 |
| Transportation | 106.1 | 100 |
| Miscellaneous | 109.8 | 100 |
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Start My Quote NowIf you’re interested in buying a home before or after moving to Rhode Island, we have collated key stats about the real estate market. These stats will give you an idea of what to expect and make it easier to plan your budget while planning to move to Rhode Island.
Renting a home in the Ocean State is a good housing option if you’re moving to Rhode Island. About 35.2% of the state’s population are renters and 2.2.5 of homes and apartments in the state are available to renters.
Here’s a simple breakdown of the average cost of renting a home in the Ocean state if you’re moving to Rhode Island:
Rhode Island’s unemployment rate is 3.7. The national average is 3.7. If you’re moving to Rhode Island, the unemployment rate is most likely one of the key things you’ll have to consider.
Below are key metrics of the Ocean State’s job market if you’re moving to Rhode Island.
| Employment Information | Rhode Island | United States |
|---|---|---|
| The income per Cap. | $33,315 | $31,177 |
| Household Income | $61,043 | $57,652 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.70% | 3.70% |
| Recent Job Growth | 1.46% | 1.59% |
| Future Job Growth | 30.13% | 33.51% |
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Moving to Rhode Island could mean getting a new job and earning a different pay. So, how much will you most likely earn by moving to Rhode Island? Let’s find out.
Moving to Rhode Island most likely means getting the chance to work for some of the largest employers in the state. So, we’ve made a list of the largest employers in the Ocean State to help you narrow down your job hunting if you’re moving to Rhode Island. Check out the list below:
| Rank | Company | City | Employees |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CVS Health | Woonsocket | 295,000 |
| 2 | Textron | Providence | 35,000 |
| 3 | Citizens Financial Group | Providence | 17,300 |
| 4 | Nortek | Providence | 11,400 |
| 5 | United Natural Foods | Providence | 9,700 |
| 6 | NTK Holdings | Providence | 8,800 |
| 7 | Brown University | Providence | 8,320 |
| 8 | Rhode Island Hospital | Providence | 7,274 |
| 9 | GTECH | Providence | 5,900 |
| 10 | FM Global | Johnston | 5,400 |
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Start My Quote NowIf you’re interested in the highest-paying jobs in Rhode Island, you’ll have to take a look at the state’s top career options. Here’s a list of the top 10 highest paying jobs in Rhode-Island:
| Rank | Job Title | AVERAGE SALARY | ENTRY LEVEL SALARY | # OF PEOPLE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Obstetricians And Gynecologists | $264,550 | $174,290 | 80 |
| 2 | Dentists, General | $262,900 | $150,810 | 320 |
| 3 | Chief Executives | $249,360 | $142,460 | 300 |
| 4 | Psychiatrists | $223,530 | $120,740 | 220 |
| 5 | Physicians, All Other; And Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric | $205,090 | $76,440 | 2,810 |
| 6 | Pediatricians, General | $200,300 | $132,260 | 250 |
| 7 | Sales Managers | $171,240 | $84,670 | 550 |
| 8 | Marketing Managers | $164,520 | $86,400 | 720 |
| 9 | Compensation And Benefits Managers | $163,840 | $103,440 | 50 |
| 10 | Architectural And Engineering Managers | $162,250 | $101,480 | 440 |
Rhode Island’s robust economy is powered by several key industries. If you’re moving to Rhode Island, you’ll most likely be interested in the largest industries in the state. Check out the list below to see the key industries backing up Rhode-Island’s economy:
| Sector | GDP ($ thousands) | Growth (%) | Annualized Growth 13-18 (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 8,698,374 | 4.6 | 1.0 |
| Health care and social assistance | 6,065,749 | 3.2 | 2.1 |
| Finance and insurance | 5,792,539 | -0.5 | 4.5 |
| Manufacturing | 5,094,427 | 3.6 | 2.9 |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 3,642,829 | 5.1 | 4.3 |
| Wholesale trade | 3,612,403 | 3.6 | 2.7 |
| Retail trade | 3,273,580 | 4.0 | 2.1 |
| Construction | 2,367,680 | 6.6 | 4.4 |
| Accommodation and food services | 2,280,704 | 5.4 | 4.2 |
Will you be paying more or less in taxes by moving to Rhode Island? The easiest way to find out is to compare Rhode Island taxes to your current state.
You can enjoy every moment of living in the Ocean State if you decide to move to Rhode Island. You can start by creating a bucket list of the best things to do in the state. We’ve created a list below to give you an idea of what you can add to your list if you’re moving to Rhode Island:
Public recreation and historic area-preserving Fort Adams, Adams State Park at Newport Harbor Mouth offer an exceptional panoramic view of both Newport Harbor and the East Passage of Narragansett Bay. Fort Adams is perhaps best known for its annual summer concerts when the Jazz Festival and the Folk Festival draw thousands to enjoy the music and beautiful surroundings. It is also a popular spot for alt water bathing, fishing, boating, soccer, rugby, and picnicking.
The oldest tavern building in the US, built-in 1673, is now a restaurant where people flock to dine amidst the old charm. It serves a wide range of cuisines to history lovers.
Peter Pan Surfing and SUP Academy, one of the longest-running surf operations in the state, offers private and group lessons as well as SUP lessons. Camps are the full day for four days a week, with an emphasis on water safety, surfing etiquette, and maximum time in the water riding waves.
Rhode Island has many mansions, especially in Newport and around that deserves a visit. Rosecliff Mansion, the most prominent among them, is spread over 6.5 acres and was built in 1902.
The 325-acre Norman Bird Sanctuary is home to diverse habitats and 7 miles of hiking trails. The sanctuary also has hay fields, woodlands, and ridges overlooking the ocean and ponds.
Pastiche, the European-style cafe in Providence serves coffee, tea, jams, cakes, and desserts. When you are in Providence, you should not skip Pastiche at Spruce Street.
The 19th-century farmyard is a shopping venue in Charlestown, which is also a landmark of Rhode Island. It has five individual stores, a plant nursery, henna artist, beautiful flower gardens, a bamboo forest, and animals. There is also a café to spend time in.
The Westminster Arcade or the Providence Arcade is a shopping center, also a perfect example of Greek revival architecture. Built in 1828, it is also one of the oldest shopping centers in the US and is home to 48 micro-loft apartments on the upper two floors, with the first floor of small business retail, including a full-service local foods restaurant, a coffee shop/whiskey bar, casual dining, and several unique retail shops.
Originally a fishing village, Wickford Village is on the west side of Narragansett Bay and has enchanting waterfront streets bestrewn with remarkable storefronts, first-rate eateries, historic churches, and colonial homes. The historic houses and buildings remain largely intact even now.
While in Warwick, the C & L Stables at beachfront Goddard Park is one of the best places to do horseback riding. The park has 18 miles of scenic trails overlooking East Greenwich Bay
Audubon Society Environmental Education Center works to protect birds, other wildlife, and their habitat through conservation, education, and advocacy for the benefit of people and all living things.
Situated on Block Island, the East of the River Nile Trading Company sells handmade jewelry & clothing, furniture & stained glass lamps from different cultures. It also offers incredibly crafted animals, handbags, and whimsical dragons along with fossils, books, beads, and music from different cultures.
Providence’s epic WaterFire sculpture on rivers of downtown by Barnaby Evans engages your senses. The artwork shows fires floating atop the river, smells of wood-burning, and hears the crackling of the flames.
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If safety is one of the key things you’d like to consider before moving to Rhode Island, we’ve curated crime stats in the state to give you an idea of what to expect.
| Violent | Property | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Crimes | 2,342 | 16,259 | 18,601 |
| Crime Rate(per 1,000 residents) | 2.21 | 15.35 | 17.56 |
Moving to Rhode Island most likely means living in the safest cities in the state. Overall, crime rates in Rhode Island are lower than the national average.
| Rank | City | Population | Crime rate per 1,000 | Violent Crimes Per 1000 | Property Crimes Per 1000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Glocester | 10158 | 3.45 | 0.49 | 2.95 |
| 2 | Scituate | 10617 | 4.33 | 0.75 | 3.58 |
| 3 | Bristol | 22131 | 4.47 | 0.45 | 4.02 |
| 4 | Portsmouth | 17474 | 4.81 | 0.40 | 4.41 |
| 5 | Narragansett | 15448 | 8.48 | 0.52 | 7.96 |
| 6 | South Kingstown | 30816 | 7.11 | 0.52 | 6.59 |
| 7 | Burrillville | 16781 | 6.91 | 1.13 | 5.78 |
| 8 | Barrington | 16112 | 7.51 | 0.50 | 7.01 |
| 9 | East Greenwich | 13051 | 9.58 | 0.77 | 8.81 |
| 10 | North Kingstown | 26101 | 9.23 | 0.38 | 8.85 |
Rhode Island is home to several top-rated universities, colleges, elementary, middle, and high schools.
We’ve made a list of the ten best colleges and universities in Rhode Island as well as the best elementary, middle, and high schools. Since you’re considering moving to Rhode-Island, check out the list below:
RISE Prep Mayoral Academy
RISE Prep Mayoral Academy, Charter, K-3 | 161 students, Rating: 10/10
Raymond LaPerche School
Smithfield, Public, K-5 | 242 students, Rating: 10/10
Hope Valley Elementary School
Chariho, Public, PK-4 | 274 students, Rating: 10/10
Nayatt School
Barrington, Public, K-3 | 323 students, Rating: 10/10
Kingston Hill Academy
Kingston Hill Academy, Charter, K-5 | 190 students, Rating: 10/10
Barrington Middle School
Barrington, Public, 6-8 | 782 students, Rating: 10/10
Blackstone Valley Prep Mid2
Blackstone Valley Prep A RI Mayoral Academy, Charter, 5-7 | 166 students, Rating: 10/10
North Cumberland Middle
Cumberland, Public, 6-8 | 654 students, Rating: 10/10
North Smithfield Middle School
North Smithfield, Public, 6-8 | 409 students, Rating: 10/10
Blackstone Valley Prep
Blackstone Valley Prep A RI Mayoral Academy, Charter, 5-8 | 332 students, Rating: 10/10
Barrington High School
Barrington, Public, 9-12 | 1144 students, Rating: 10/10
Classical High School
Providence, Public, 9-12 | 1126 students, Rating: 10/10
East Greenwich High
East Greenwich, Public, 9-12 | 755 students, Rating: 10/10
Portsmouth High School
Portsmouth, Public, 9-12 | 888 students, Rating: 10/10
Burrillville High School
Burrillville, Public, 9-12 | 764 students, Rating: 10/10
Brown University - Providence, RI
Providence College - Providence, RI
Rhode Island School of Design - Providence, RI
Rhode Island College - Providence, RI
University of Rhode Island - Kingston, RI
Bryant University - Smithfield, RI
Salve Regina University - Newport, RI
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