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Moving from New Jersey to Rhode Island

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Highest property taxes, wealthy suburbs, NYC + Philly access. vs. Smallest state, Newport mansions, Providence revival.

NJ state flag
Living now

New Jersey

Capital: Trenton

Median household income $97,126 · winter low 24°F · 207 sunny days

Highest property taxes, wealthy suburbs, NYC + Philly access.

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
New Jersey
108.8
Rhode Island
102.3
Rhode Island has 6.0% lower overall price level
Housing index
New Jersey
134.3
Rhode Island
105.6
Rhode Island has 21% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
New Jersey
102.2
Rhode Island
100.6
Rhode Island has 1.6% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
New Jersey
101.3
Rhode Island
100.3
Rhode Island has 1.0% lower utilities
Electricity rate
New Jersey
23.5 ¢/kWh
Rhode Island
29.9 ¢/kWh
Rhode Island has 27% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
New Jersey
101.8
Rhode Island
100.5
Rhode Island has 1.3% lower transportation
Median home value
New Jersey
$496,000
Rhode Island
$455,700
Rhode Island is 8.1% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
New Jersey
$1,554/mo
Rhode Island
$1,038/mo
Rhode Island is 33% 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
New Jersey
86°F
Rhode Island
82°F
Rhode Island is 4.7% less summer highs
Avg winter low
New Jersey
24°F
Rhode Island
22°F
Rhode Island is 8.3% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
New Jersey
53°F
Rhode Island
51°F
Rhode Island is 4.0% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
New Jersey
207
Rhode Island
200
Rhode Island has 3.4% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
New Jersey
48 in
Rhode Island
49 in
Rhode Island is 3.4% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
New Jersey
44
Rhode Island
36
Rhode Island has 18% lower AQI
Snow / year
New Jersey
24 in
Rhode Island
37 in
Rhode Island is 54% more annual snowfall

Get the full New JerseyRhode Island report

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

See the full comparison

Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in Rhode Island than New Jersey?

Rhode Island's overall price level is roughly 99.6 (US avg = 100), vs about 110.5 for New Jersey — 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?

New Jersey 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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