Things to know before moving from Rhode Island to Columbus, OH

Cost of living: Rhode Island vs Columbus, OH

Rhode Island Columbus
Average rent cost $1,195 $1,441
Average home value $467,485 $238,832
Average income (per capita) $81,370 $65,075
Unemployment rate 5% 6%
State income tax 6% 4%
  • Rent is about 21% more expensive in Columbus than in Rhode Island.
  • Home prices are about 49% lower in Columbus than in Rhode Island.
  • The average income is about 20% lower in Columbus than in Rhode Island.
  • Columbus has a higher unemployment rate than Rhode Island by about 24%.
  • Income taxes are 42% lower in Columbus than in Rhode Island.

How life is different in Columbus from Rhode Island

Columbus Rhode Island
Population 905,748 1,093,734
Political leaning Republican 55-14 Democratic 56-44
Summer high 85ºF 82ºF
Winter low 21ºF 19ºF
Annual rain 40" 50"
Annual snow 22" 35"
Crime index 49.65 14.58
  • The population of Columbus is approximately 17% lower than the population of Rhode Island.
  • In the last presidential election, Columbus voted Republican and Rhode Island voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in Columbus is 85ºF and in Rhode Island, it’s 82ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Columbus reaches the temperature of 21ºF and Rhode Island gets down to 19ºF.
  • You can expect about 40 inches of annual rainfall in Columbus vs 50 inches of rainfall in Rhode Island.
  • In Columbus, it snows about 22 inches annually vs 35 inches of snow in Rhode Island.
  • Columbus has a higher crime rate than Rhode Island with a crime index of 49.65 vs 14.58.

Things to do in Columbus

Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Columbus.

Museums in Columbustoggle

  • Beeler Gallery
  • Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum
  • Central Ohio Fire Museum
  • Columbus Historical Society
  • Columbus Museum of Art
  • COSI
  • Hale Black Cultural Center
  • Historic Costume & Textile Collection
  • Jack Nicklaus Museum
  • Kelton House Museum and Garden
  • Museum of Biological Diversity
  • Museum of Classical Archaeology
  • Museum of Catholic Art and History
  • Ohio Craft Museum Fifth by Northwest
  • Ohio History Center
  • Ohio Statehouse
  • Ohio Village
  • Orton Geological Museum
  • Pizzuti Collection
  • Riffe Gallery Downtown
  • Thompson Library Gallery
  • Thurber House
  • Wexner Center for the Arts

Parks in Columbustoggle

  • Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
  • Scioto Mile
  • Topiary Garden
  • Schiller Park
  • Whetstone Park / Park of Roses
  • Hayden Falls Park
  • Columbus Commons
  • Antrim Park
  • Goodale Park
  • Kelton House Museum & Garden
  • Scioto Audubon Metro Park

Sports Teams in Columbustoggle

  • Columbus Crew (MLS)
  • Ohio State Buckeyes (NCAA)
  • Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL)
  • Columbus Clippers (AAAE)

Universities in Columbustoggle

  • Ohio State University
  • Columbus State Community College
  • Capital University Law School
  • Columbus College of Art
  • Design, Fortis College
  • DeVry University
  • Ohio Business College
  • Miami-Jacobs Career College
  • Ohio Institute of Health Careers
  • Bradford School and Franklin University
  • Bexley Hall Episcopal Seminary
  • Mount Carmel College of Nursing
  • Ohio Dominican University
  • Pontifical College Josephinum
  • Trinity Lutheran Seminary
  • Bexley's Capital University
  • Westerville's Otterbein University
  • Delaware's Ohio Wesleyan University.

Other considerations when moving to Columbus, OH

  • Weather: Columbus doesn't get the snowfall that more northern Ohio gets but it does have some of the severe weather that's common in the midwest such as strong lightning storms and hail. In general, you can expect all 4 seasons in Columbus so take that into account when choosing the time of the year that you move.
  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
  • Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
  • State licensing: Although a local license is not required in Ohio, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Ohio moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Ohio does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Ohio. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. Opt for cost-free Released Value Protection from movers, offering minimal coverage with a maximum liability of 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, explore alternatives with your chosen moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
  • Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Compare the pros and cons of Rhode Island vs. Columbus, OH

Comparing the pros of Rhode Island vs. Columbus, OH:

There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in Rhode Island vs Columbus side-by-side.

Pros of living in Rhode Island Pros of living in Columbus, OH
Beautiful landscapes Low cost of living
Delicious seafood Delicious food
Rich history Bountiful arts and recreational activities
Amazing beaches Friendly people
Short drives Ample economic opportunity

Comparing the cons of living in Rhode Island vs. Columbus, OH:

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, these are the things to be aware of when leaving Rhode Island for Columbus.

Cons of living in Rhode Island Cons of living in Columbus, OH
High cost of living Bad drivers
Heavy traffic and lousy drivers Terrible traffic
Smallest state Bad weather
Cold winters High taxes
Dense population Limited public transportation

FAQ

How long does a move from Rhode Island to Columbus take?

The time frame for a move from Rhode Island to Columbus, OH, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.

Obviously, the further upstate you are in Rhode Island, the longer the drive time to Columbus will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.

With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to Columbus from Rhode Island can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.

How far in advance should I book movers when moving from Rhode Island to Columbus?

Because of the 707-mile move, it’s best to book your move from Rhode Island to Columbus as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.

What time of year is the cheapest to move to Columbus, OH?

With the summer highs of 85ºF and the winter lows of 21ºF, most people move to Columbus from Rhode Island during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Columbus during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources