Skip to content

Free comparison

Moving from South Carolina to Rhode Island

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Beaches, BMW + Boeing manufacturing, retiree influx. vs. Smallest state, Newport mansions, Providence revival.

SC state flag
Living now

South Carolina

Capital: Columbia

Median household income $63,623 · winter low 33°F · 216 sunny days

Beaches, BMW + Boeing manufacturing, retiree influx.

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
South Carolina
93.7
Rhode Island
102.3
Rhode Island has 9.1% higher overall price level
Housing index
South Carolina
80.5
Rhode Island
105.6
Rhode Island has 31% higher housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
South Carolina
98.4
Rhode Island
100.6
Rhode Island has 2.2% higher groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
South Carolina
99.1
Rhode Island
100.3
Rhode Island has 1.3% higher utilities
Electricity rate
South Carolina
16.5 ¢/kWh
Rhode Island
29.9 ¢/kWh
Rhode Island has 82% higher electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
South Carolina
98.7
Rhode Island
100.5
Rhode Island has 1.7% higher transportation
Median home value
South Carolina
$299,500
Rhode Island
$455,700
Rhode Island is 52% more expensive to buy a home
Median monthly rent
South Carolina
$1,203/mo
Rhode Island
$1,038/mo
Rhode Island is 14% 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
South Carolina
91°F
Rhode Island
82°F
Rhode Island is 9.9% less summer highs
Avg winter low
South Carolina
33°F
Rhode Island
22°F
Rhode Island is 33% less winter lows
Avg annual temperature
South Carolina
63°F
Rhode Island
51°F
Rhode Island is 19% less annual temperature
Sunny days / year
South Carolina
216
Rhode Island
200
Rhode Island has 7.4% lower sunny days
Annual precipitation
South Carolina
48 in
Rhode Island
49 in
Rhode Island is 1.4% more annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
South Carolina
39
Rhode Island
36
Rhode Island has 7.7% lower AQI
Snow / year
South Carolina
1 in
Rhode Island
37 in
Rhode Island is 3600% more annual snowfall

Get the full South CarolinaRhode 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 South Carolina?

Rhode Island's overall price level is roughly 99.6 (US avg = 100), vs about 94.6 for South Carolina — 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?

South Carolina tops out at 6% 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