So, you’re curious about living in Rhode Island? Well, you’ve come to the right place!
The expert movers, travelers, and worldwide locals that make up the team at Relocalate.com are here to help.
We’ve compiled the ultimate guides to answer the most common questions people just like you have about living in the great state of Rhode Island.
Dive deep into the topics you’re interested in to make sure your new home in Rhode Island matches what you’re looking for.
We’ll explore whether Rhode Island is a good place for YOU to live, and we’ll highlight some of the best cities for you to visit, explore, and ultimately call home.
Pros and Cons of Living in Rhode Island
You’ve heard it before, and it’s true: no place is perfect. What matters is how good of a fit it is for you.
Relocalate.com is here to help you decide whether Rhode Island is the best place for YOU to live.
Here are some reasons to love living in Rhode Island:
- Beautiful beaches.
- Lots to do outdoors or in the city.
- Historic sites and landmarks (you’ll have plenty to see and do in this little state).
And, on the flip side, here are some of the downsides of living in Rhode Island:
- Some drawbacks when it comes to public transportation as there are only a few buses running around. Your best bet is either bike, cab service, or carpooling with friends and family.
- It’s also more expensive than other places so you may need to adjust your budget accordingly.
Read More: Is Rhode Island a Good Place to Live?
Best Place to Live in Rhode Island
So, you’ve got your heart set on living in Rhode Island? Well, the decision making doesn’t end there. You’ve still got to decide where to live in Rhode Island!
In some other articles, we’ll dive deeper into some of the best places to live in Rhode Island.
Our experts have considered a whole bunch of different criteria to select the top locations, including:
- The best places to live for families, retirees, singles, young adults, outdoor lovers, foodies, and more.
- The safest places to live.
- The cheapest places to live.
- The best schools.
- The best job markets.
- The best housing markets.
- And so much more.
Just want a quick list? No worries, here are some of the best cities to live in Rhode Island:
- Barrington
- Newport
- Providence
Read More: Best Places to Live in Rhode Island
Checklist for Moving to Rhode Island
So now you’re preparing for your big move to Rhode Island. Maybe you’ve even started packing!
As you probably already know, there are a lot of things to take care of when you’re moving. Both in your current state and once you get to Rhode Island.
Here are some of the major things you’ll want to take care of when you move to Rhode Island:
- Updating your address with USPS.
- Getting your Rhode Island driver’s license.
- Transferring your vehicle titles and registrations to Rhode Island
- Getting Rhode Island car insurance.
- Signing up for health insurance in Rhode Island and finding new doctors, dentists, and local hospitals.
- Updating/changing other insurance policies you may need (homeowner’s insurance, renter’s insurance, pet insurance, motorcycle insurance, etc.)
- Registering to vote in your district in Rhode Island.
- Updating your address with your banks, credit cards, subscription services, loans, investments, phone plans, and bill pay.
- Enrolling your kids in their new school district.
- Licensing your pets and finding a new vet.
- Setting up your utilities for your new home.
- Preparing to file state taxes for Rhode Island and your previous home state.
Visit your Rhode Island Moving Checklist for a detailed guide on all of the above.
Read More: Moving to Rhode Island Checklist
While we’re at it, let’s cover some high-level questions and fun facts about Rhode Island.
Things to Know About Living in Rhode Island
As you’re preparing for your move or getting settled into your new home in Rhode Island, here are some things to know about living there.
Cost of Living in Rhode Island
One thing to consider when moving to a new state is the relative cost of living.
Rhode Island ranks 42nd on the Cost of Living Index with an overall rating of 118.2, meaning it’s a relatively expensive place to live.
Here is how Rhode Island scores for the cost of living in each specific category:
- Groceries: 108.7
- Housing: 124.2
- Utilities: 125.8
- Transportation: 111.1
- Health: 105.4
- Miscellaneous: 118.7
The average cost of living in this index is scored at 100. The numbers above represent the percentage of the average. A number higher than 100 represents an above average cost of living, while a number lower than 100 represents a lower cost of living. A lower rank indicates a lower cost of living.
This data comes from the Cost of Living Index prepared by the Council for Economic Research (C2ER), which compiles data from cities across the country to rank and compare the differences in costs of living.
Sales Tax Rates in Rhode Island
Sales tax is a way that state and local governments collect tax revenue from its residents and visitors.
These taxes are applied when you purchase something. It’ll show up on your receipt or bill. If you’ve recently moved to Rhode Island from somewhere else, the new sales tax rates may surprise you.
On top of the state sales tax rates, local rates for certain counties and cities may apply and vary as well.
Rhode Island’s state sales tax rate is higher than the national average at 7%.
Check with the Rhode Island tax office for the most current tax rates.
Real-Estate Property Tax Rates in Rhode Island
If you own or plan to own real estate in Rhode Island, you’ll want to think about the property tax rates when you move there.
Rhode Island ranks 42nd (from low to high) for its state property tax rate of 1.63%.
There may be additional property taxes on top of the rate stated here depending on your county, city, and school districts.
Check with the Rhode Island tax office for the most current tax rates.
Rhode Island’s Job Market & Economy
Another thing to think about when moving to Rhode Island is the job market and economic indicators.
Overall, Rhode Island ranks 45th for Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the United States.
The GDP measures the overall monetary value of all goods and services produced within a certain place over a period of time.
Its top 10 industries (ranked from largest to smallest by economic contribution to the state) are:
- Real estate and rental and leasing
- Educational services, health care, and social assistance
- Professional and business services
- Finance and insurance
- Manufacturing
- Wholesale trade
- Retail trade
- Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services
- Construction
- Information
The top employer in Rhode Island is the Lifespan system of hospitals.
Notable Destinations and Landmarks in Rhode Island
Our Rhode Island moving guide wouldn’t be complete without a brief mention of some of the most iconic destinations in the state.
When you get settled in, a road trip may just be in order.
One of the most iconic landmarks in Rhode Island is The Breakers historic mansion.
Facts about Rhode Island
Rhode Island is the 13th state of the United States that lies in the northeast region. To its north is Massachusetts, to its south and east is the Atlantic Ocean, and to its west is Connecticut.
What is the capital of Rhode Island?
The capital of Rhode Island is Providence.
Providence is located in Providence County with a population of 178,042.
What is the population of Rhode Island?
The population of Rhode Island based on 2020 US Census data is 1,097,379.
What is the largest city in Rhode Island?
The largest city in Rhode Island is Providence.
What is the size of Rhode Island?
Rhode Island is 1,544 square miles, making it the smallest state in the U.S.
What is the state motto of Rhode Island?
The state motto of Rhode Island is: Hope
What is the state bird of Rhode Island?
The state bird of Rhode Island is the Rhode Island Red.
What is the state flower of Rhode Island?
The state flower of Rhode Island is the Violet.
What is the state tree of Rhode Island?
The state tree of Rhode Island is the Red Maple.
What is the minimum wage in the state of Rhode Island?
The minimum wage in Rhode Island is $11.50 per hour.
What is the median income in Rhode Island?
The median annual household salary in Rhode Island is $64,340.