Skip to content

Free comparison

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
District of Columbia
106.5
Rhode Island
97.2
Rhode Island has 8.8% 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
25.4 ¢/kWh
Rhode Island
28.3 ¢/kWh
Rhode Island has 11% 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
$1,931/mo
Rhode Island
$1,418/mo
Rhode Island is 27% cheaper to rent

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals · EPA AirNow · USGS (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
41
Rhode Island
30
Rhode Island has 27% lower AQI
Earthquakes (M3+, past yr)
District of Columbia
0
Rhode Island
0
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, and a 90-day move timeline.

See the full comparison

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.

Related comparisons