If you are considering moving to Rhode Island aka “Little Rhody“, you will have to figure out your motive, plans, and benefits of living in Rhode Island before making any final decisions. This guide covers everything from moving costs, living expenses, taxes, job markets, real estate, and the best places to live as compared to other places in the country.
Known to be the “Ocean State”, Rhode Island, the New England state, is the 2nd most small and densely populated state in the country after New Jersey. This 77 kilometers long and 58 kilometers wide state is boarded by the coastlines of the Atlantic oceans on both sides and is filled with base coves and inlets that are loved and cherished by both tourists and localities during the hot summer days in Rhode Island. Despite being so teensy, yet so well-known, it attracts thousands of tourists and ex-pats to move into the state to live their dreams.
So without any delay let us dive in and take a look at everything you need to consider about moving to Rhode Island.
[elementor-template id=”13242″]
Cost of Moving to Rhode Island
Moving across the country can be a difficult and expensive procedure but you must not go out of your way just because you are moving a long distance. You should also find a suitable transportation method that can boost your long journey.
How much does it cost to move to Rhode Island?
The cost of moving from New York, United States to Providence, Rhode Island by different transportation means is as follows:
| Ways of transport | Cost of moving |
| By Bus | $10.04 – $46.87 |
| By car | $17.41 – $25.44 |
| By train | $18.75 – $21.42 |
| By airways Fly from Newyork, JFK international airport to Worcester, UK, and then take a taxi to Rhode Pick a train from New York to New York USA, and then fly to Providence, Rhode Island. Take a line 29 bus to reach the destination | $147.04 – $294.44 $123.34 – $349.61 |
Moving Time
Rhode Island is one of the safest states in America, which provides very beautiful scenic views. This is the best place to move in with your family if you are into the food, tourism, and healthcare sector. Expats moving from the USA to Rhode Island generally consider both time and cost of moving as shifting from country to country is a hectic journey. The time of moving from the US to Rhode island by different transportation means are as follows:
| Ways of transport | Timings |
| By road | 3h 35min |
| By train | 2h 55min |
| By airways | 52min |
Wondering what the best time to move to Rhode Island is? Check out our guide on what is the best time to visit “Rhode Island”!
One must be able to earn a sufficient amount, to live comfortably in a city. The average salary of an individual depends on the cost of different amenities in a particular city. The prices of different commodities vary from one place to another. If you are planning to move to Rhode Island, here’s an overview of the cost of living.
What are the benefits of living?
Living in Rhode Island
Living in Rhode Island is very expensive as compared to the other states of America. In 2018, it was placed at 9th position in the list of ‘America’s Most Expensive Places’. Besides this, this state is also very densely populated. Living in Providence RI can provide the experience of living at the seaside. You can easily enjoy sunbathing and fishing at your doorsteps. It is also famous for its world-class education facilities. Rhode Island is home to the most famous universities in the world. Among these world-famous universities comes Ivy League Brown University.
Cost of living in Rhode Island
The cost of living is the amount an individual needs to maintain a proper standard of living. The table given below, shows the expenditure of one month if you are living in Rhode Island:
| Expenses | Rhode Island (in $) |
| Groceries | 106 approx. |
| Health | 82 approx. |
| House | 123 approx. |
| Utilities | 115 approx. |
| Transportation | 106 approx. |
The following table shows the city-wise expenditure of living in Rhode Island for single adults:
| City | Expenditure (in $) |
| Barrington | 42,460 |
| Kingston | 26,460 |
| Jamestown | 62,280 |
| Blackstone | 34,845 |
| East Greenwich | 63,569 |
| Hope | 28,474 |
| Wayland | 36,566 |
Pros & Cons
Like a coin has two sides, everything has its positive and negative aspects. There are many pros and cons of living in Rhode Island. So, without any further dues, let’s dive into the pros and cons of moving to this state of America:
| Pros | Cons |
| In this American state, you can get everything from nearby places. It is very convenient to get anything easily. | Living in Rhode Island can be very expensive. It stands on the 9th position in the list of ‘America’s most expensive states to live in. |
| Rhode Island is well-known for its world-class education. The state is home to many prestigious schools and colleges. | It is the 2nd most crowded state in America after New Jersey. The crowd creates a problem for the native people in summer and during the tourist season. |
| This state is best for those who love to live beside seashores. It gives you a great experience of beachside living. Beachside living offers sunbathing, surfing, sailing, and fishing all at your doorsteps. | As we know that it is a very densely populated and crowded state, so it can be concluded that the traffic can get really bad in this state of America. |
Is Rhode Island a good place to live? Rhode Island is one of the greatest states in the nation and it’s also one of the best places to raise a family. With great schools, lots of access to culture, and adequate natural beauty, it’s no wonder so many people want to live in the amazing state.
Is it expensive to live in Rhode Island? Yes, Rhode Island is a very expensive state to live in. Property prices are very high in this state, besides this, the transport facilities are also very expensive and the cost of daily needed commodities is also more than the average prices of the other states.
What is a livable salary in Rhode Island? A liveable wage is a minimum salary that is required to live comfortably in any place. It is an average amount that is required by a person for a decent standard of living at a particular place. The liveable monthly wage in Rhode Island is $53,000 approx.
Sales and Income Tax
Every state has its different rate of taxes, which are calculated according to the government policies. You should have detailed information regarding the taxes charged on different commodities before moving to a certain place. Similarly, given below is an overview of taxes charged in Rhode Island:
Taxes in Rhode Island
Just like every other country or state, Rhode Island also has its rates of different types of taxes like income tax, sales tax, and property tax.
Income Tax :
| Taxable Income | Rates |
| $0 – $65,250 | 3.75% |
| $65,250 – $148,350 | 4.75% |
| $148,350 + | 5.99% |
Sales Tax :
The state of Rhode Island collects 7% as sales tax. However, there are some exemptions in sales tax as per the government policies.
Property Tax :
1.53% of property tax is collected from all the house owners in Rhode Island. An average homeowner pays around $4,300 of property tax per annum.
Sales tax in Rhode Island & how to calculate
Rhode Island is one of those states which have single and state-wise sales tax. The current sales tax of the state is 7%. In Rhode Island, businesses must register with the state and pay the sales tax. It is a Streamlined Sales Tax State, which means that it encourages the out-of-state businesses that don’t have any obligations related to the sales tax to register with the state and collect the sales tax.
There are different exemptions to sales tax. No sales tax is collected for the sale of items like medicines, medical equipment, clothing, and groceries. The state has a provision for collecting excise tax on various things.
An additional tax of 6% is collected from hotels and motels and an additional tax of 1% is calculated from restaurants, bars, and other food establishments.
What taxes do you pay in Rhode Island? The taxes that we compulsorily pay in Rhode Island are as follows:
- Income taxes: 3.75% to 5.99%
- Income per capita: $50,427
- State income tax collections per capita: $1,169
- Property tax collections per capita: $2,339
- General sales tax collections per capita: $921
- Sales tax: 7%
- Property Tax: 1.53%
- Gas Tax (Gasoline & Diesel): 34 cents
Is Rhode Island a tax-friendly state? Rhode Island has both a statewide income tax and sales tax. The income tax rates range from 3.75% up to 5.99%. Hence, Rhode Island is not a tax-free state. In fact, taxes are high in Rhode Island.
Does Rhode Island have low taxes? Rhode is one of the several states of New England that ranks highest in taxes. The state offers around 7.0% of the state’s sales tax.
General and Public Laws
The residents of Rhode Island have been dominated by the state laws and federal laws which include laws by the Rhode Island legislature, Rhode Island constitution, and Rhode Island general laws and decisions periodically organized and interpreted by the Rhode Island court laws.
Law in Rhode Island
The Rhode Island constitution had been approved in 1986 as the recently developed state constitution in the USA despite being the first American colony to reject loyalty to British rule until 1842. It contains laws and regulations passed by the Rhode Island legislature which are often elucidated by the supreme court of Rhode Island i.e. the only Supreme Court in the state. The federal district court of Rhode Island also gives decisions that might affect the citizens of the state. The first circuit court of appeals has the authority to review the decisions made by the district court before applying them to the citizens.
Law Facts in Rhode Island
Rhode Island has been governed by many different documents, resolutions, and digests over the years. First, King Charles II gave the Royal Charter in 1663, and it was the first of its kind. Our state government used this charter for over eighty years, even after the colony broke off from England.
Public Laws :
Almost all Rhode Island Public Laws are published every year, with two exceptions. They include all laws passed by the general assembly during the previous legislative session. Resolutions and actions of a local and private nature that only apply to one person, group, or community are not covered by the public law. Each year, these laws are put together in a separate book called “Acts and Resolves.”
General laws :
The general laws came from the general rules, which is how they came about. In 1956, the general rules were published in eight volumes. Since then, more books have been added to the original volumes, like volumes 4, 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D, making the total number of importance in the General Laws of Rhode Island 28.
Resolutions :
People in the General Assembly vote on resolutions, which are like a bill that is passed. Resolutions are formal statements of the General Assembly’s opinion, purpose, or judgment, but they don’t usually have the official power of law because a judge doesn’t write them.
What is the lemon law in Rhode Island? The lemon law in Rhode Island protects the consumer with assurance while buying a car, stating that manufacturers have to give a replacement vehicle or full refund if the vehicle cannot be fixed during the warranty period. This law protects consumers for up to 15,000 miles or one year from delivery.
[elementor-template id=”13252″]
Does Rhode Island have low income housing?
Properties in Rhode Island are costly as the average home value in the country is $419,813, which is more than the national average which is $200,000. Every year the average home value increases by 9.4% and is predicted to be more with each passing year. This means that the property values are inclining towards the higher side, thereby creating a good investment return if it remains such.
Property renting in Rhode island
When it comes to housing costs or renting in Rhode Island, you have to think about all the rules and regulations and learn them. However, if you don’t know the landlords’ and tenant’s screening rules and regulations, you might miss the best ones.
Some of the important tenant screening laws that you must know that slightly differ from other neighboring countries are as follows:
- A landlord can charge any amount for the application fee that is not refundable.
- A tenant has to pay 1 month’s extra rent as a security deposit.
- Security deposit and application fees are different things.
- There are no such specific laws on how owners must handle the deposit and rents.
Before providing the rental application form to the tenant, the landlord must plan a background check on the tenants or applicants with a signed consent document from them. For that, the landlord must make a tenant screening criteria list that will help them get a genuine tenant for their property.
- No history of criminal records or violent crime.
- No smoking and drinking.
- No past actions and bankruptcies.
- A minimum credit score of 650.
- Income after tenant should be much higher than the rent.
- Only one pet is allowed with valid vet records.
- History of previous address.
Average house price in Rhode island
According to foreigners, Living on rent is a cheaper option than buying a house in Rhode Island. Let’s say the average housing price in Rhode Island is $419,813. The monthly mortgage price ranges between $1803 – $2100, whereas the monthly rent ranges between $893-$926, which means you will be saving $846 per month or $10,490 per year on average.
The median home value of major states in Rhode Island are
| Cities in Rhode Island | Median home value |
| Providence | $319,142. |
| Cranston | $358,726. |
| Warwick | $328,789. |
| Pawtucket | $315,066. |
| East providence | $341,020. |
| Woonsocket | $249,783 |
| Newport | $712,702 |
| Central falls | $280,249. |
| Newport east | $522,400 |
| Westerly | $481,884. |
Why is Rhode Island so expensive? The north-eastern areas of Rhode Island are expensive due to a higher cost of living, housing, utilities, transportation, and groceries.
How much is an average house in Rhode Island? The average house cost in Rhode Island is $282,600.
In-Demand Jobs
In the past few years, the economy and the job market in Rhode Island have been improving and continuing to trend upward. As per Economy rankings by the US News and World report, the country is ranked #20 in the nation with an approximate GDP of $59.3 billion, median annual income of $52220 i.e,. $1600 more than the national average, and a minimum wage of $10 per hour.
Job Market in Rhode Island
In Rhode Island, the job market has been observed to be improving for the past few years, resulting from the recent unemployment rate of the country at 3.6%, which is equal to the national average. The health care and service industry is one of the booming industries in the state, providing work to low-wage workers by boosting the state’s economy.
A large mass of the population is employed in these sectors with an average minimum wage of $10 per hour. The tourism industry is another leading economy in the state which currently has more than 50,000 people employed in various tourism-related jobs and is bringing more than $6 in the brilliant economy to the country every year.
What jobs are in demand in Rhode Island?
The in-demand jobs in Rhode Island that are giving high GDP and economy to the country are as follows:
| Jobs | Average salary (per annum) |
| Administrative and waste services | $45561 |
| Construction | $30,914 |
| Education | $63,754 |
| Finance and Insurance | $69,173 |
| Health Care | $116,020 |
| Information Technology | $67,425 |
| Leisure and Hospitality | $119632 |
| Manufacturing Sector | $26,724 |
| Professional and Technical Services | $80,750 |
| Retail Trade | $10,000 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $35,856 |
| Wholesale Trade | $51,827 |
How do I apply for a state job in Rhode Island? You can apply for a state job in Rhode Island by checking out the job vacancies on the department of labor and training employment opportunity website at http://www.dlt.ri.gov/JobsRI/statejobs.htm or www.apply.ri.gov.
What are the most common jobs in the Rhode Island colony? The most common jobs adopted by the residents of Rhode Island are cloth making, fisherman, lumber, and shipbuilding. Other such jobs as foresters, fisherman, farmers, Smiths, brewers, masons, joiners, etc. were also equally important works in the state.
Public vs. Private Healthcare
In 1994, Rhode Island Hospital and The Miriam Hospital formed the state’s first health system, Rhode Island Hospital, and The Miriam Hospital. Rhode Island Hospital’s pediatric division, Hasbro Children’s Hospital, Bradley Hospital, Newport Hospital, Gateway Healthcare, and Coastal Medical are part of the not-for-profit Lifespan Health System. The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University is also a part of the system.
Healthcare System in Rhode island
The Rhode Island Health Care Cost Trends Steering Committee said Thursday that health care spending per person went up 4.1 percent between 2018 and 2019. That means each covered Rhode Islander spent about $8,949 on health care in 2019.
This rate is higher than the 3.2 percent target set by the Steering Committee for health care cost growth, which is what this rate is. The Steering Committee is a public-private partnership that sets a target for how much the state’s health care costs will rise each year, and it also gives the state advice on how to cut back on health care spending.
Health care costs were included in the committee’s 3.2 percent target. This included all payments made by health care providers to cover their services’ costs and other expenses that weren’t on the providers’ claims. Members also paid co-payments, deductibles, and coinsurance, and the net cost of private health insurance was also included.
| Private Hospital | Public Hospital |
| These are hospitals that are owned by someone or a group of people. | A public hospital is one that is owned and paid for by the government. |
| Private hospitals have the best medical facilities. | Public hospitals provide health care, but the quality isn’t good enough for us to use them for our own needs. |
| Have a short amount of time to wait. | Have longer wait times. |
| Private hospitals are not easy to pay for. | Public hospitals are affordable |
| Rhode Island Hospital, Butler Hospital, Care New England Health System | Eleanor Slater Hospital – Reagan Unit, Cranston, Roger Williams Medical Center |
Does Rhode Island have good healthcare? The healthcare systems in Rhode Island are one of the best systems in the nation that have been ranked seventh by American health rankings.
Does Rhode Island have free healthcare? Yes, Rhode Island offers low-priced or free health coverage for residents and non-residents with less income or wages through a program called Medicaid.
Does Rhode Island have health insurance? As per the State law that has been implemented from 1st January 2020, all the citizens, excluding non-residents of Rhode Island, must need health insurance.
Education Ranking and Facts
The Rhode Island, public school system, runs from prekindergarten through grade 12 in districts run by local school boards and superintendents. Some 142,481 students were going to 304 schools in 54 school districts when Rhode Island had a lot of students in 2013. There were 9,871 teachers in the public school, which means there was one teacher for every 14 students, which is less than the national average of 1:16. Nationally, there was one administrator for every 295 students, and in this case, there was about one administrator for every 299 students. It was ninth in the country in 2013 when Rhode Island spent $14,415 on each student. Graduates from the state were 79.7% of the way through in 2013.
Education System in Rhode Island
Rhode Island has a world-class public education system that teaches all students how to succeed in life and be good community members. Rhode Island is an excellent place for international students to study because of its top-notch academics, nautical culture, and traditional New England architecture in the townships that make up Rhode Island.
People in Rhode Island live on land and sea, and it borders Connecticut to the west, Massachusetts to the north, and Rhode Island Sound and Long Island to the east. Rhode Island, the smallest state in the United States, has an area of just 3,140 square kilometers, and this includes 14 percent of its land made up of bays, inlets, and oceanic land. Students outside the United States can take advantage of the state’s main indoor and outdoor attractions but also spend long weekends visiting other states.
Education in Rhode island – Facts
6 important facts one needs to know regarding the education system in Rhode Island are:
- The educational rankings of Rhode Island are #49 for higher education and #25 for k-12 education.
- Teacher to students ratio in each public school is 1:16.
- There are a total of 304 schools and 9871 teachers in Rhode Island.
- Rhode has been providing excellent public education for since long as the state’s test scores are much better than Massachusetts, New Hampshire, the United States, and Connecticut.
- The average graduation rate is 79.8% which is the lowest among its other neighboring states.
- The average dropout rate for Rhode Island is 4.7% which is higher than the national average.
What is Rhode Island’s ranking in education? In education, Rhode Island has been ranked 49th for higher education and 25th in pre-kindergarten-12th education.
Is Rhode Island a good state for teachers? Rhode Island is a good state for public school teachers because they are well paid, with an average annual salary of $74,414, the seventh highest in the nation and more than the cost of living.
Is free education in Rhode Island? Education is not free for students of primary and secondary school; however, children get a free education while pursuing their associate degrees.
Major Modes of Transportation
Despite being a small state, Rhode Island’s transportation system and facilities are unlimited to move around the state. As a part of the state urban Mass transit has become efficient and useful. The major population of the country is dependent on public transportation services; however one can access personal vehicles to visit nearby cities at their convenience.
Transportation in Rhode Island
The most opted transportation medium by the people of Rhode Island is roadways, airways, and railways. As Rhode Island is a tiny state and a small portion of the state is urban area, people for mass transit on roadways. Most of them prefer public transportation services like buses; some individuals use their vehicles to visit neighboring cities of the state as they find it economically possible and feasible.
The Rhode Island public transit authority operates the city bus system in Rhode Island. Most buses start from providence and end in different parts of the state with a fare of $2 per ride that increases by plotting the exact end stoppage. However, to get freedom and convenience to explore the state, a car is the best option to roam around as a whole. Rhode Island offers plenty of garages and street parking. As almost all restaurants, hotels, and shops are within walking distance, biking and cycling can be excellent options for covering walkable distance.
Major Medium of Transportation
The major medium of transportation in Rhode Island are:
- Airports (Theodore Francis green state airport, block Island state airport, rote Island TF green international airport, etc.)
- Railways (Amtrak Acela express, MBTA commuter trains, etc.)
- Public intercity buses; Rhode Island transportation authority RIPTA
- Charter Buses; (Megabus, Bonanza bus lines)
- Taxi services and car rentals
- Ferry (Martha’s Vineyard fast ferry, Block Island ferry, etc.)
- Bicycles
- Bikes
- Sharing rides
Does Rhode Island have public transportation? Rhode Island offers affordable bus service throughout the nation year-round. This service is provided by Rhode Island public transit authority (RIPTA).
How is public transportation in Rhode Island? RIPTA operates the public transportation in Rhode Island. Most buses are available at the foresight, while others have a start and end in most areas of the state.
How much is the bus fare in RI? The bus fare per ride in Rhode Island is $2. You can also purchase a day pass for $6 for unlimited rides throughout the country.
Culture & Climate
Culture
In Rhode Island, everyone seems to know each other. The population of one million still feels like they live in a small town, and the easygoing attitude is contagious to people who visit. Visitors to Rhode Island can expect one of the warmest and most friendly welcomes in the United States. There’s a noticeable rise in happiness with festivals every weekend and people going to bars and restaurants as often as tourists
Climate
The average temperature for most of the year in Rhode Inland is 48 °F, except near the south shore, Narragansett Bay, and in the sizable built-up area around Providence, where it is 51°, which is a little warmer.
In the southwest of Rhode Island, from 4 to 10 miles inland, there’s a sense of coolness that doesn’t come from being near the ocean or having a general height of 50 to 150 feet. It doesn’t get above 48° F here all year, making this area as cold as the more excellent parts of the northwest interior.
What are some traditions in Rhode Island?
The tradition maintained in Rhode Island are as follows:-
- Because Dunkin Donuts are only located in this state, you’ll only get directions based on where they are.
- There is no family party without pizza. So many people in this state care so much about these simple pizza strips from the bakery. If you go to many great pizza places, you’ll still see these old pizza strips all over.
- The family always meets at Wright’s Farm or Twin Oaks. A birthday party or other critical family event will likely bring you here.
- Rhode Island has a unique coffee milk drink called the state drink. People in Rhode Island love their coffee milk syrup! You can’t change the rules of history.
- If you live in a state, you’ll hear people order coffee “regular.” There will be cream and sugar.
Is Rhode Island culturally diverse? With a population of over 1 million people speaking 76 languages, Rhode Island is rich in urban culture, natural landscape, and recreational opportunities.
Does Rhode Island get snow? Rhode Island gets maximum snowfall in January up to 8.4 inches and usually lasts for 1 to 3 days once the precipitation falls.
[elementor-template id=”13247″]
Best Places to Live
Rhode Island is very small, but it is a perfect holiday destination for many people. It is a very beautiful state in the United States. The following are some of the best places to live in Rhode Island:
Barrington
Barrington is one of the most beautiful places to live in Rhode Island. It is more expensive than many other cities, but it is home to the best schools and colleges. It also offers great job opportunities in many different sectors.
Kingston
Kingston is a very small city with a population of just 5,900 people approx. is a beautiful city in Rhode Island. It provides a lot of activities like live concerts for the people to socialize and have fun on their weekends.
Jamestown
Jamestown is one the safest places in Rhode Island, home to around 5,400 people. This place gives its residents the experience of Island life while staying connected with the mainland. This place has beautiful gardens, spacious garages, and private driveways.
Blackstone
Blackstone is the most urban city in Rhode Island. There are many great schools and colleges in this city. This city is connected to Boston, New York, and Connecticut and provides a lot of job opportunities. The transport facilities of this city are not so good.
East Greenwich
East Greenwich holds a position in the list of top 5 places to live in Rhode Island. It is home to around 13,000 people. There are many great public schools in this city, and all the amenities that are needed for a comfortable living can be found here at a very affordable price. The crime rate is also very low in this city, making it a perfect place for living in.
Hope
Hope lies in the outskirts of Providence city. This place gives a feel of village culture along with the urban standard of living. This is a relatively small place with only 4,000 people living in this city. Fantastic schools, parks, and gardens are available in this beautiful city.
Narragansett
Narragansett is the best coastline of Rhode Island, and it is also a historic town in this state. It is a very clean and safe state of Rhode Island. This place is a major tourist attraction in the summer season.
Wayland
Wayland is one of the most developed towns in Rhode Island. It has many world-class schools and amenities. It offers many job and business opportunities to people who are planning to relocate. This area enjoys pleasant weather all year round.
College Hill
College Hill, as the name suggests, is a very popular area in terms of education. It is home to the famous RISD and Brown University. This place is very popular among millennials. Students from all over the world come here to complete their studies.
The only drawback of this place is that the crime rate is a bit higher in this area as compared to other places in Rhode Island.
Portsmouth
Portsmouth has a very diverse population of around 17,000 people. This place is very popular among the people who are retired from their jobs. It is a small town that is considered a great town for families by the senior citizens of Rhode Island.
Rankings and Facts
Rhode Island stands at 34th position in overall rankings. Here’s an overview of the ranking of Rhode Island in different sectors:
| Sector | Ranking |
| Healthcare | 9th |
| Education | 39th |
| Economy | 28th |
| Infrastructure | 49th |
| Opportunity | 32nd |
| Fiscal Stability | 44th |
| Crime & Corrections | 7th |
| Natural Environment | 7th |
Moving to Rhode Island – The Bottom Line
Rhode Island, or the so-called “ocean state,” has a lot to offer. Despite being a small state in the country, its beautiful landscapes, thriving job opportunities, real estate market, more than average medium salaries, great education system, slower pace of life, and pleasant climate are enough to make you fall in love with it.
Also, you may find many other reasons that create an identity of this tiny state, and if you feel you can utilize the most of it then there is a high chance you will love your new home immediately.
[elementor-template id=”13257″]