Iowa to Rhode Island Moving Guide
Updated June 16, 2025

Planning a 1,251 mile interstate move from Iowa to Rhode Island? This moving guide will help you compare living in Iowa vs Rhode Island across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Corn vs Clam Cakes), real estate & housing (colonial revival, craftsman vs colonial, victorian), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Rhode Island), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Corn and Pork Tenderloin Sandwich, but get your taste buds ready for Clam Cakes & Calamari
- Rhode Island housing costs are 111% more expensive than they are in Iowa
- Rent in Rhode Island is 92.64% more expensive than in Iowa
- Moving from Iowa to Rhode Island will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
- Our top recommended Iowa to Rhode Island movers is Adamantine Spine Moving
Iowa to Rhode Island Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Iowa to Rhode Island
- Harsh winters
- Fewer cultural events
- Flat landscape
- Limited seafood options
- Crowded state fairs
- Milder winters
- Rich cultural scene
- Beautiful coastlines
- Fresh seafood galore
- Pleasant coastal festivals
- Higher living expenses
- Limited open spaces
- Denser urban areas
- Busier roads
- Noisy city life
- Low cost of living
- Spacious landscapes
- Friendly small towns
- Less traffic
- Quiet countryside
Pros of moving from Iowa to Rhode Island
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
- Look forward to moving away from fewer cultural events and moving to Rhode Island with a rich cultural scene
- Swap the flat landscape of Iowa for beautiful coastlines in Rhode Island
- Get ready for fresh seafood galore in Rhode Island
Cons of moving from Iowa to Rhode Island
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the low cost of living in Iowa to live with higher living expenses in Rhode Island
- You'll lose out on the pro of spacious landscapes and have to settle for the con of limited open spaces
- Time to bid farewell to friendly small towns and get used to denser urban areas in Rhode Island
- Swap less traffic for busier roads
Iowa vs. Rhode Island: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Iowa | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Corn | Clam Cakes |
Most popular meat dish | Pork Tenderloin Sandwich | Calamari |
Most popular street food item | Walking Tacos | Hot Wieners |
Most popular vegan food | Tempeh | Seitan |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± | π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π±π± |
If you're moving from Iowa to Rhode Island, you will be trading the iconic Corn of Iowa for the equally delicious Clam Cakes of Rhode Island. And while the locals in Iowa rave about their flavorful Pork Tenderloin Sandwich and sumptuous Walking Tacos, Rhode Island residents know they have tasty Calamari and Hot Wieners to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Tempeh they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Seitan of Rhode Island. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Iowa eateries like Jethroβs BBQ, Zombie Burger, and The Smokehouse BBQ. After the boxes are unpacked in Rhode Island, don't wait too long before making your way to Rhode Island's acclaimed eateries like Al Forno, Hemenway's, and The Dorrance.
When comparing lifestyles, Rhode Island shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Iowa. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Rhode Island, compared to what you are used to in Iowa. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Rhode Island.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Iowa and Rhode Island
Comparison | Iowa | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial Revival, Craftsman | Colonial, Victorian |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, Quiet neighborhoods | Coastal views, Historic properties |
- The Colonial Revival and Craftsman architecture that Iowa is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Victorian architecture typical of Rhode Island.
- Compared to Iowa's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and quiet neighborhoods, Rhode Island real estate listings often highlight features like coastal views and historic properties.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Rhode Island is more walkable than Iowa.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Rhode Island is more bike-friendly than Iowa.
- Rhode Island has more of an urban feel than Iowa.
- Rhode Island housing costs are 111% more expensive than they are in Iowa, with a median home price of $451,868 compared to Iowaβs $214,151.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Rhode Island have increased 55% compared to a 36% increase in Iowa.
- Rent in Rhode Island is 92.64% more expensive than in Iowa.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Iowa and Rhode Island
Comparison | Iowa | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ | βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ | π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦π¦ |
Avg. UV Index | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ | πΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈπΆοΈ |
Natural Disasters | Tornadoes, Severe Storms | Hurricanes, Winter storms |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 63Β°F | 82Β°F / 63Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 31Β°F / 14Β°F | 40Β°F / 20Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 36 | 50 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 33 | 35 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Iowa to Rhode Island. Rhode Island gets 1% fewer sunshine days than Iowa.
- Rhode Island has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Iowa.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and severe storms in Iowa, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and winter storms in Rhode Island.
- The average summer high temperature in Rhode Island is 3 degrees colder than in Iowa.
- The average winter lows in Rhode Island are 6 degrees warmer than they are in Iowa.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Rhode Island. Rhode Island receives 14 more inches of rain compared to Iowa.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Iowa and Rhode Island
Comparison | Iowa | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $69,588 | $81,854 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.9 | 123.3 |
State Income Tax | 4.55% | 5.99% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.53% | 1.66% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.94% | 7.00% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Insurance | Health Services, Education, Manufacturing |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Minimal | Noticeable |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Rhode Island tend to earn about 18% more than in Iowa
- The COLI in Rhode Island will be 29% higher than what you are used to living in Iowa
- The state income tax in RI is 5.99% compared to 4.55% in IA
- The affluence in Rhode Island is high compared to moderate in Iowa
- The poverty level is moderate in Rhode Island compared to low in Iowa
- In terms of homelessness, it is minimal in Iowa and noticeable in Rhode Island
Political and Religious Climate in Iowa vs. Rhode Island
Comparison | Iowa | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed; leans Republican | Primarily Democratic |
Local Politics | Focus on agriculture, education | Focus on healthcare, job creation |
Religion | Protestant, Catholic | Catholic, none |
- Iowa tends to lean mixed and leans Republican in its political climate
- Rhode Island, on the other hand, is often described as primarily Democratic
- Rhode Island's religious environment can be described as Catholic
- Iowa's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Protestant and Catholic
Education Guide When Moving from Iowa to Rhode Island
Comparison | Iowa | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Iowa Iowa State University University of Northern Iowa | Brown University University of Rhode Island Rhode Island School of Design |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Wickham Elementary (Coralville) Jackson Elementary (Cedar Rapids) Brookview Elementary (West Des Moines) | Rockwell Elementary (Bristol) Nayatt School (Barrington) Community School (Cumberland) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | North Central Junior High (North Liberty) South East Junior High (Iowa City) Ames Middle School (Ames) | Barrington Middle (Barrington) Gallagher Middle School (Smithfield) Wickford Middle School (North Kingstown) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Ames High School (Ames) West High School (Iowa City) Valley High School (West Des Moines) | Classical High School (Providence) Barrington High (Barrington) East Greenwich High (East Greenwich) |
Top 3 private high schools | Dowling Catholic High School (West Des Moines) Xavier High School (Cedar Rapids) Regina High School (Iowa City) | Moses Brown School (Providence) St. George's School (Middletown) Lincoln School (Providence) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Scattergood Friends School (West Branch) Maharishi School (Fairfield) Cedar Valley Christian School (Cedar Rapids) | Wheeler School (Providence) Lincoln School (Providence) Rocky Hill Country Day School (East Greenwich) |
Top 3 School Districts | Iowa City Community School District Waukee Community School District Ames Community School District | Barrington Public Schools East Greenwich Public Schools North Kingstown School District |
How Much Do Iowa to Rhode Island Movers Cost?
Moving 1,251 miles from Iowa to Rhode Island will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,000
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Hemmen Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,912 | 300 ft3 | $6.37 |
1 Bedroom | $2,845 | 450 ft3 | $6.32 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,704 | 750 ft3 | $6.27 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,845 | 1100 ft3 | $6.22 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,876 | 1600 ft3 | $6.17 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,020 | 1800 ft3 | $6.12 |
Top Iowa to Rhode Island Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Iowa to Rhode Island movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Adamantine Spine Moving
Best moving company overall for Iowa to Rhode Island