Moving to Rhode Island statistics (2025 data)

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Edited by: Elijah Vorrasi
a moving truck on a highway in Rhode Island

Rhode Island — the smallest state in the U.S. by area — attracted 31,599 new residents in 2023. After accounting for out-migration, the state saw a net migration of 183 people. With exceptional safety but poor quality of life scores, the Ocean State ranks as the 31st best to move to in 2024. Costs can be especially challenging, as moving to Rhode Island means adjusting to the 14th-highest cost of living in the nation.

However, the state’s strengths, including a higher-than-average median household income, booming education and health care industries and reliable public transportation, attract movers seeking career opportunities. Read on to find out how you can prepare for a successful short- or long-distance move to Rhode Island.


Key insights

An estimated 31,599 people moved to Rhode Island in 2023, marking a 21.6% decline in the number of movers from the year prior (40,311).

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As of 2023, Rhode Island has 1,095,962 residents, making it the seventh smallest state in the nation in terms of population.

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In 2024, the median rent in Rhode Island is about $2,300, and the median home sale price is $464,500. That means the median Rhode Island home is 10.5% more expensive than the U.S. median of $420,400.

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Rhode Island’s cost-of-living index is 110.5, ranking it as the 14th most expensive state in the U.S.

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Rhode Island is ranked as the 31st best U.S. state to move to in 2024.

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How many people move to Rhode Island?

Approximately 31,599 people moved to Rhode Island in 2023, while 31,416 moved out. This represents a net migration of 183 residents. While Rhode Island attracted fewer domestic movers than neighboring Connecticut or Massachusetts — averaging seven per day — the Ocean State also lost fewer residents to out-migration.

Though Rhode Island’s population has increased slightly within the past decade due primarily to international migration, it’s not among the most popular states for domestic migrants. According to a recent ConsumerAffairs study based on a sample of 143,506 ConsumerAffairs.com users who expressed an interest in moving between January 2023 and March 2024, Rhode Island ranked as the 33rd most desired state for relocation.

Top 5 locales that people moved to in Rhode Island

Rhode Island ranks as the 31st best U.S. state to move to in 2024. Though it earned the fourth-highest safety ranking and 12th highest education and health care ranking, having the lowest quality of life score prevents the Ocean State from having higher desirability. This, combined with a lack of affordability, has made it difficult for Rhode Island to offset out-migration, similar to some other states in New England.

Though there’s a general lack of people moving to the Ocean State, the majority who do are relocating to smaller towns surrounding Providence and unincorporated areas. Providence County gained the most new residents between 2020 and 2023, attracting 967 people. The towns of Lincoln and East Greenwich — both suburbs of Providence — saw the highest population growth, growing by 1.5% and 2.3%, respectively.

Please note that the “Balance of” refers to the population of any given county after subtracting those living in incorporated places. The top five regions in Rhode Island inbound movers relocated to between 2020 and 2023 were as follows:

Why do people move to Rhode Island?

With a minimum wage set to increase to $15 an hour in 2025 and a slightly above-average median household income of $79,996, the majority of those relocating to Rhode Island do so for employment.

The largest industries in the state are education and health services, trade, transportation and utilities, and professional and business services. Collectively, these industries employ just over 51% of nonfarm workers. The fastest growing industry in the state is also education and health services, growing by 4.3% between July 2023 and July 2024.

Rhode Island housing statistics

With a median rent price of roughly $2,300 and a median home sale price of $464,500, there's a disparity between the affordability of Rhode Island rentals and homes. Renters here can expect to pay significantly more than the national median, while homeowners may pay just above 10% more.

The Ocean State also has the 13th highest property taxes in the country, at 1.4%. This is more than double that of any one of the bottom 16 states. In 2021, the average property owner in Providence County paid $4,270 in annual property taxes, making it the least expensive county in the state by that metric. Conversely, those in Bristol County paid the most — an average of $6,069 that same year.

Cost-of-living statistics in Rhode Island

With a cost-of-living index of 110.5, Rhode Island has the 14th highest cost of living in the nation, but the lowest cost of living in New England.

In line with Rhode Island's cost of living, the state also has higher-than-average gas prices. The average cost per gallon in the state is $3.43, compared to the U.S. average of $3.26. In part, this can be attributed to a conscious movement away from gasoline. While the Atlantic waters just outside of the state lack crude oil, Rhode Island was the first in the nation to invest in an offshore wind farm. This, along with other investments, ranks Rhode Island as the 16th most green state in the nation.

Though the Ocean State does have a higher-than-average cost of living, the median household income of $79,996 is also slightly higher than the U.S. median of $75,358. However, the unemployment rate of 4.3% is higher than many other states and just slightly higher than the national average (4.2%).

Who lives in Rhode Island?

An estimated 1,095,962 people live in Rhode Island as of 2023, making it the seventh smallest state in terms of population. This represents a population increase of 2,120 compared to 2022. Despite a lack of domestic migrants, the population was able to increase due to international migration.

The Ocean State’s population is skewed female, with women accounting for 51% of the population and men accounting for 49%. In 2023, around 558,503 Rhode Island residents were female, and 537,459 were male.

On average, Rhode Island’s population is also older (40.8 years old) than the U.S. average of 38.9 years. Those between 45 to 64 years old are the largest age demographic, accounting for 26.9% of the population, or 294,987 people. The population of those between 25 to 44 years old is nearly as large at 26% of residents.

White Americans account for the largest share of Rhode Island residents, approximating 82.4% of the population (roughly 903,228 people). The Ocean State also has moderately sized Hispanic and Black populations, accounting for 18% and 9.3% of the population, respectively.

Tips for moving to Rhode Island

Not sure how to start your move to Rhode Island? Consider these step-by-step moving tips:

1. Prepare for the cost of living

Though Rhode Island has the lowest cost of living in New England, costs are still higher than average for the nation. This is especially true for in-demand suburbs surrounding Providence and coastal cities like Newport and Narragansett. Meanwhile, rural inland towns may offer cheaper options. Before making the move, we recommend using resources like RI.gov to understand property taxes, utility costs and average housing prices in your desired area.

2. Understand insurance requirements

Rhode Island is one of a few states to require both auto and health insurance, levying fines against anyone without them. Once you have auto insurance, your vehicle must pass an annual safety and emissions inspection to register it with the state. Health insurance is also mandated, and lack of coverage can result in penalties based on your income. Luckily, you may be able to access coverage for free through Rhode Island’s HealthSourceRI marketplace.

3. Learn about the job market

Despite its small size, Rhode Island’s prevalence of large coastal cities and proximity to other metropolitan areas in New England give it a strong job market. The education and health care industries are top employers, while manufacturing is also strong in rural regions. The median household income is also higher than the U.S. median here. Visit the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training website to explore job openings and local employment resources.

4. Research transportation options

Unlike other states in the U.S., Rhode Island’s compact size and access to major cities make it easy to navigate. Many public transportation options are available, including buses, trains and more. The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) provides buses and trolleys to Providence and the surrounding towns, while the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) commuter rail connects Rhode Island to Boston. Visit the Rhode Island Department of Transportation website for more information.

5. Prepare for seasonal weather

While Rhode Island sees less snow than its Northern neighbors, the state still enjoys all four seasons. Each season poses challenges, from icy winter roads to coastal flooding from heavy summer storms. Aside from investing in winter clothing, snow tires and effective heating systems for your home, we also recommend familiarizing yourself with local emergency preparedness resources through the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency.

6. Explore Rhode Island’s charm

Don’t let the small size fool you. Known as the Ocean State, Rhode Island offers a mix of historic landmarks, scenic coastlines and cultural festivals. Explore colonial mansions, take a boat ride on the Atlantic or enjoy a warm cup of clam chowder. For more activities, check out the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation website.

7. Understand mover quotes and tipping

When moving to Rhode Island, carefully review and compare moving company quotes. Be sure to account for potential additional fees depending on where you’re relocating to. Tipping movers is customary; a tip of 10% to 20% of the total cost is standard based on the quality of service.


Article Sources

ConsumerAffairs writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts and original research from other reputable publications to inform their work. Specific sources for this article include:

  1. State-to-State Migration Flows.” United States Census Bureau. Evaluated Nov. 29, 2024.
  2. State Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2023.” United States Census Bureau. Evaluated Nov. 29, 2024.
  3. Redfin Data Center.” Tableau Public. Evaluated Nov. 29, 2024.
  4. Median Sales Price of Houses Sold for the United States.” FRED Economic Data. Evaluated Nov. 29, 2024.
  5. Cost of Living Index by State 2024.” World Population Review. Evaluated Nov. 29, 2024.
  6. 2022-2023 State Net Migration.” Tampa Bay EDC. Evaluated Nov. 29, 2024.
  7. City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2023.” United States Census Bureau. Evaluated Nov. 29, 2024.
  8. Minimum Wage.” Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training. Evaluated Nov. 29, 2024.
  9. Economy at a Glance.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Evaluated Nov. 29, 2024.
  10. Property Taxes by State and County, 2023.” Tax Foundation. Evaluated Nov. 29, 2024.
  11. National Average Gas Prices.” AAA. Evaluated Dec. 2, 2024.
  12. Massachusetts and Rhode Island Announce Largest Offshore Wind Selection in New England History.” Mass.gov. Evaluated Dec. 2, 2024.
  13. Household Income in States and Metropolitan Areas: 2022.” United States Census Bureau. Evaluated Dec. 2, 2024.
  14. Local Area Unemployment Statistics.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Evaluated Dec. 2, 2024.
  15. State Population by Characteristics: 2020-2023.” United States Census Bureau. Evaluated Dec. 2, 2024.
  16. America Is Getting Older.” United States Census Bureau. Evaluated Dec. 2, 2024.
  17. Homepage.” RI.gov. Evaluated Dec. 2, 2024.
  18. Homepage.” HealthSourceRI. Evaluated Dec. 2, 2024.
  19. Welcome.” Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training. Evaluated Dec. 2, 2024.
  20. Homepage.” Rhode Island Department of Transportation. Evaluated Dec. 2, 2024.
  21. Homepage.” Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency. Evaluated Dec. 2, 2024.
  22. Welcome to Rhode Island.” Rhode Island Tourism Division. Evaluated Dec. 2, 2024.

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