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Moving from District of Columbia to Rhode Island

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Federal-government nexus, museums, expensive urban living. vs. Smallest state, Newport mansions, Providence revival.

DC
Living now

District of Columbia

Capital: Washington

Median household income $101,722 · winter low 28°F · 197 sunny days

Federal-government nexus, museums, expensive urban living.

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.

Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 · EIA electricity · Census ACS 2024 (live) state-level

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

Overall price index
District of Columbia
109.9
Rhode Island
102.3
Rhode Island has 6.9% lower overall price level
Housing index
District of Columbia
155.0
Rhode Island
105.6
Rhode Island has 32% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
District of Columbia
102.5
Rhode Island
100.6
Rhode Island has 1.9% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
District of Columbia
101.5
Rhode Island
100.3
Rhode Island has 1.1% lower utilities
Electricity rate
District of Columbia
25 ¢/kWh
Rhode Island
29.9 ¢/kWh
Rhode Island has 20% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
District of Columbia
102.0
Rhode Island
100.5
Rhode Island has 1.5% lower transportation
Median home value
District of Columbia
$733,400
Rhode Island
$455,700
Rhode Island is 38% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
District of Columbia
$1,922/mo
Rhode Island
$1,038/mo
Rhode Island is 46% cheaper 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
District of Columbia
88°F
Rhode Island
82°F
Rhode Island is 6.8% less summer highs
Avg winter low
District of Columbia
28°F
Rhode Island
22°F
Rhode Island is 21% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
District of Columbia
57°F
Rhode Island
51°F
Rhode Island is 12% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
District of Columbia
197
Rhode Island
200
Rhode Island has 1.5% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
District of Columbia
45 in
Rhode Island
49 in
Rhode Island is 10% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
District of Columbia
47
Rhode Island
36
Rhode Island has 23% lower AQI
Snow / year
District of Columbia
11 in
Rhode Island
37 in
Rhode Island is 236% more annual snowfall

Get the full District of ColumbiaRhode 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 District of Columbia?

Rhode Island's overall price level is roughly 99.6 (US avg = 100), vs about 117.4 for District of Columbia — 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?

District of Columbia tops out at 10.75% 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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