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Moving from Alabama to Rhode Island

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Affordable Southern living, college-football devout, slower pace. vs. Smallest state, Newport mansions, Providence revival.

AL state flag
Living now

Alabama

Capital: Montgomery

Median household income $59,674 · winter low 35°F · 213 sunny days

Affordable Southern living, college-football devout, slower pace.

RI state flag
Moving to

Rhode Island

Capital: Providence

Median household income $81,854 · winter low 22°F · 200 sunny days

Smallest state, Newport mansions, Providence revival.

Rhode Island has an overall price level 102.3 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
Alabama
88.8
Rhode Island
102.3
Rhode Island has 15% higher overall price level
Housing index
Alabama
61.8
Rhode Island
105.6
Rhode Island has 71% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
Alabama
97.2
Rhode Island
100.6
Rhode Island has 3.5% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
Alabama
98.3
Rhode Island
100.3
Rhode Island has 2.1% higher utilities
Electricity rate
Alabama
17.2 ¢/kWh
Rhode Island
29.9 ¢/kWh
Rhode Island has 74% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
Alabama
97.8
Rhode Island
100.5
Rhode Island has 2.8% higher transportation
Median home value
Alabama
$233,300
Rhode Island
$455,700
Rhode Island is 95% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
Alabama
$889/mo
Rhode Island
$1,038/mo
Rhode Island is 17% more expensive to rent

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals · EPA AirNow (live) state-level

Summer high 82°F · Winter low 22°F · 200 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
Alabama
91°F
Rhode Island
82°F
Rhode Island is 9.9% less summer highs
Avg winter low
Alabama
35°F
Rhode Island
22°F
Rhode Island is 37% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
Alabama
63°F
Rhode Island
51°F
Rhode Island is 20% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
Alabama
213
Rhode Island
200
Rhode Island has 6.1% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
Alabama
56 in
Rhode Island
49 in
Rhode Island is 12% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
Alabama
42
Rhode Island
36
Rhode Island has 14% lower AQI
Snow / year
Alabama
1 in
Rhode Island
37 in
Rhode Island is 3600% more annual snowfall

Get the full AlabamaRhode Island report

Schools, healthcare, taxes, transportation, lifestyle, crime, family fit, move logistics, AI assistant, and 90-day timeline.

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Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in Rhode Island than Alabama?

Rhode Island's overall price level is roughly 99.6 (US avg = 100), vs about 87.9 for Alabama — based on BEA Regional Price Parities. Housing is the dominant driver of the difference. Run a comparison for the full, current breakdown.

What's the income tax difference?

Alabama tops out at 5% income tax. Rhode Island tops out at 5.99%.

How long do I have to register my vehicle in Rhode Island?

Most Rhode Island residents must register a vehicle within 30-60 days of moving. Check the piomover report for state-specific deadlines.

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