Idaho to Rhode Island Moving Guide
Updated June 21, 2025

Planning a 2,635 mile interstate move from Idaho to Rhode Island? This moving guide will help you compare living in Idaho vs Rhode Island across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like limited job market vs better employment opportunities), food & health (like Idaho Potatoes vs Clam Cakes), real estate & housing (ranch, 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 Idaho Potatoes and Huckleberry Glazed Ribs, but get your taste buds ready for Clam Cakes & Stuffies (Stuffed Clams)
- Rhode Island housing costs are 0% more expensive than they are in Idaho
- Rent in Rhode Island is 28.86% more expensive than in Idaho
- Moving from Idaho to Rhode Island will cost on average between $2,500 - $9,500
- Our top recommended Idaho to Rhode Island movers is 208 Moving Company
Idaho to Rhode Island Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Idaho to Rhode Island
- Limited job market
- Longer winters
- Less cultural diversity
- Sparse entertainment venues
- Better employment opportunities
- Milder winters
- Rich cultural heritage
- Vibrant entertainment scene
- Higher cost of living
- More densely populated
- Limited outdoor space
- Higher crime rates
- Cost-effective living
- Close-knit communities
- Outdoor activities
- Low crime rates
Pros of moving from Idaho to Rhode Island
- Say goodbye to limited job market and hello to better employment opportunities
- Look forward to moving away from longer winters and moving to Rhode Island with milder winters
- Swap the less cultural diversity of Idaho for rich cultural heritage in Rhode Island
- Get ready for vibrant entertainment scene in Rhode Island
Cons of moving from Idaho to Rhode Island
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from cost-effective living in Idaho to live with higher cost of living in Rhode Island
- You'll lose out on the pro of close-knit communities and have to settle with the con of a more densely populated area
- Time to bid farewell to outdoor activities and get used to limited outdoor space in Rhode Island
- Swap low crime rates for higher crime rates
Idaho vs. Rhode Island: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Idaho | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Idaho Potatoes | Clam Cakes |
Most popular meat dish | Huckleberry Glazed Ribs | Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) |
Most popular street food item | Fry Bread | Hot Wieners |
Most popular vegan food | Quinoa Salad | Grilled Vegetable Pizza |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 |
Abundance of Food Trucks | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 |
Foodie Scene | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 |
Vegan Friendly | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 |
If you're moving from Idaho to Rhode Island, you will be trading the iconic Idaho Potatoes of Idaho for the equally delicious Clam Cakes of Rhode Island. And while the locals in Idaho rave about their flavorful Huckleberry Glazed Ribs and sumptuous Fry Bread, Rhode Island residents know they have tasty Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) and Hot Wieners to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Quinoa Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Grilled Vegetable Pizza of Rhode Island. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Idaho eateries like State & Lemp, Boise Fry Company, and The Chocolate Bar. 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, Iggy's Doughboys and Chowder House, and Olneyville New York System.
When comparing lifestyles, Rhode Island shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Idaho. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Rhode Island compared to what you are used to in Idaho. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Rhode Island.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Idaho and Rhode Island
Comparison | Idaho | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch, Craftsman | Colonial, Victorian |
Walkability | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 |
Bikeability | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 |
Urban Lifestyle | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Open spaces, Mountain views | Coastal access, Historic properties |
- The Ranch and Craftsman architecture that Idaho is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Victorian architecture typical of Rhode Island.
- Compared to Idaho's real estate listings that commonly reference open spaces and mountain views, Rhode Island real estate listings often highlight features like coastal access and historic properties.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Rhode Island is more walkable than Idaho.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Rhode Island is more bike-friendly than Idaho.
- Rhode Island has more of an urban feel than Idaho.
- Rhode Island housing costs are 0% more expensive than they are in Idaho, with a median home price of $451,868 compared to Idaho's $451,298.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Rhode Island have increased 55% compared to a 69% increase in Idaho.
- Rent in Rhode Island is 28.86% more expensive than in Idaho.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Idaho and Rhode Island
Comparison | Idaho | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ |
Avg. Annual Humidity | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 |
Avg. UV Index | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ |
Natural Disasters | Wildfires, Floods | Hurricanes, Nor'easters |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (°F) | 85°F/50°F | 82°F/63°F |
Average Winter High/Low (°F) | 34°F/15°F | 40°F/25°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 18-40" | 40-50" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 20-60" | 33-37" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Idaho to Rhode Island. Rhode Island gets 2% fewer sunshine days than Idaho.
- Rhode Island has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Idaho.
- Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and floods in Idaho, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and nor'easters in Rhode Island.
- The average summer high temperature in Rhode Island is 3 degrees colder than in Idaho.
- The average winter lows are 10 degrees warmer than they are in Idaho.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Rhode Island. Rhode Island receives 22 more inches of rain compared to Idaho.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Idaho and Rhode Island
Comparison | Idaho | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $72,785 | $81,854 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.5 | 123.3 |
State Income Tax | 6.925% | 5.99% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.76% | 1.63% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6% | 7% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Mining, Manufacturing | Healthcare, Education, Manufacturing |
Affluence | Moderate | Higher |
Poverty | Moderate | Lower |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Rhode Island tend to earn about 12% more than in Idaho
- The COLI in Rhode Island will be 35% higher than what you are used to living in Idaho
- The state income tax in RI is 5.99% compared to 6.925% in ID
- The affluence in Rhode Island is higher compared to moderate in Idaho
- The poverty level is lower in Rhode Island compared to moderate in Idaho
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Idaho and moderate in Rhode Island
Political and Religious Climate in Idaho vs. Rhode Island
Comparison | Idaho | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative | Liberal |
Local Politics | Republican Dominance | Democratic Dominance |
Religion | Christianity (LDS Church significant) | Catholicism Prevalent |
- Idaho tends to lean conservative in its political climate
- Rhode Island, on the other hand, is often described as liberal
- Rhode Island's religious environment can be described as predominantly Catholic
- Idaho's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity, with the LDS Church being significant
Education Guide When Moving from Idaho to Rhode Island
Comparison | Idaho | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | Boise State University University of Idaho Idaho State University | University of Rhode Island Rhode Island College Brown University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Longfellow Elementary School (Boise) Adams Elementary School (Boise) Roosevelt Elementary School (Boise) | Moses Brown School (Providence) Rockwell School (Bristol) Community School (Cumberland) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | North Star Charter School (Eagle) Lake Hazel Middle School (Boise) Heritage Middle School (Meridian) | Gordon School (East Providence) Moses Brown School (Providence) Lincoln School (Providence) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Boise High School (Boise) Renaissance High School (Meridian) Eagle High School (Eagle) | Classical High School (Providence) Barrington High School (Barrington) East Greenwich High School (East Greenwich) |
Top 3 private high schools | The Ambrose School (Meridian) Bishop Kelly High School (Boise) Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy (Coeur d'Alene) | Moses Brown School (Providence) The Wheeler School (Providence) St. George's School (Middletown) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Ambrose School (Meridian) Classical Christian Academy (Post Falls) Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy (Coeur d'Alene) | Moses Brown School (Providence) Lincoln School (Providence) The Wheeler School (Providence) |
Top 3 School Districts | Boise School District West Ada School District Blaine County School District | Barrington Public Schools East Greenwich Public Schools Cumberland School District |
How Much Do Idaho to Rhode Island Movers Cost?
Moving 2,635 miles from Idaho to Rhode Island will typically cost between $4,000 and $9,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $4,000 - $9,500
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Valley Custom Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,696 | 300 ft3 | $8.99 |
1 Bedroom | $4,022 | 450 ft3 | $8.94 |
2 Bedrooms | $6,666 | 750 ft3 | $8.89 |
3 Bedrooms | $9,722 | 1100 ft3 | $8.84 |
4 Bedrooms | $14,060 | 1600 ft3 | $8.79 |
5+ Bedrooms | $15,728 | 1800 ft3 | $8.74 |
Top Idaho to Rhode Island Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Idaho to Rhode Island movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

208 Moving Company
Best moving company overall for Idaho to Rhode Island