Illinois to Rhode Island Moving Guide
Updated June 19, 2025

Planning a 1,077 mile interstate move from Illinois to Rhode Island? This moving guide will help you compare living in Illinois vs Rhode Island across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder coastal climate), food & health (like Chicago-style deep dish pizza vs Clam cakes), real estate & housing (prairie and ranch vs colonial and cottage), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes, politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Chicago-style deep dish pizza and Italian Beef Sandwich, but get your taste buds ready for Clam cakes & Stuffies (Stuffed Quahogs)
- Rhode Island housing costs are 75% more expensive than they are in Illinois
- Rent in Rhode Island is 18.89% more expensive than in Illinois
- Moving from Illinois to Rhode Island will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Illinois to Rhode Island movers is 606 Movers, Inc.
Illinois to Rhode Island Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Illinois to Rhode Island
- Harsh winters
- Flat landscapes
- Traffic congestion
- High taxes
- Busy urban centers
- Milder coastal climate
- Scenic ocean views
- Smaller state, easier commutes
- Lower property prices
- Quaint small towns
- Limited industries
- Fewer transit options
- Smaller cultural venues
- Fewer larger institutions
- Less variety
- Robust job market
- Extensive public transport
- Vibrant arts scene
- World-class universities
- Diverse dining options
Pros of moving from Illinois to Rhode Island
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to a milder coastal climate
- Look forward to moving away from flat landscapes and moving to Rhode Island with scenic ocean views
- Swap the traffic congestion of Illinois for a smaller state and easier commutes in Rhode Island
- Get ready for lower property prices in Rhode Island
Cons of moving from Illinois to Rhode Island
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a robust job market in Illinois to live with limited industries in Rhode Island
- You'll lose out on the pro of extensive public transport and have to settle for the con of fewer transit options
- Time to bid farewell to a vibrant arts scene and get used to smaller cultural venues in Rhode Island
- Swap world-class universities for fewer larger institutions
Illinois vs. Rhode Island: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Illinois | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Chicago-style deep dish pizza | Clam cakes |
Most popular meat dish | Italian Beef Sandwich | Stuffies (Stuffed Quahogs) |
Most popular street food item | Chicago-style hot dog | Hot wiener |
Most popular vegan food | Roasted Corn | Grilled Veggie Pizza |
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 Illinois to Rhode Island, you will be trading the iconic Chicago-style deep dish pizza of Illinois for the equally delicious clam cakes of Rhode Island. And while the locals in Illinois rave about their flavorful Italian beef sandwich and sumptuous Chicago-style hot dog, Rhode Island residents know they have tasty stuffies (stuffed quahogs) and hot wieners to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the roasted corn they've grown to love, they can get ready for the grilled veggie pizza of Rhode Island. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Illinois eateries like Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, Alinea, and Portillo's. 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, Castiglione Ristorante, and Iggy's Doughboys & Chowder House.
When comparing lifestyles, Rhode Island shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Illinois. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Rhode Island compared to what you are used to in Illinois. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Rhode Island.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Illinois and Rhode Island
Comparison | Illinois | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Prairie and Ranch | Colonial and Cottage |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious backyards, basements | Waterfront views, historic charm |
- The Prairie and Ranch architecture that Illinois is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cottage architecture typical of Rhode Island.
- Compared to Illinois's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious backyards and basements, Rhode Island real estate listings often highlight features like waterfront views and historic charm.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Rhode Island is more walkable than Illinois.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Rhode Island is more bike-friendly than Illinois.
- Rhode Island has more of an urban feel than Illinois.
- Rhode Island housing costs are 75% more expensive than they are in Illinois, with a median home price of $451,868 compared to Illinoisβs $257,738.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Rhode Island have increased by 55% compared to a 35% increase in Illinois.
- Rent in Rhode Island is 18.89% more expensive than in Illinois.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Illinois and Rhode Island
Comparison | Illinois | 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, floods | Hurricanes, blizzards |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85Β°F / 65Β°F | 82Β°F / 63Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 35Β°F / 18Β°F | 39Β°F / 23Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 39 | 47 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 22 | 33 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Illinois to Rhode Island. Rhode Island gets 7% more sunshine days than Illinois.
- Rhode Island has similar humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Illinois.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Illinois, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and blizzards in Rhode Island.
- The average summer high temperature in Rhode Island is 3 degrees colder than in Illinois.
- The average winter lows in Rhode Island are 5 degrees warmer than they are in Illinois.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Rhode Island. Rhode Island receives 8 more inches of rain compared to Illinois.
Political and Religious Climate in Illinois vs. Rhode Island
Comparison | Illinois | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Strongly Democratic |
Local Politics | Mixed urban and rural dynamics | Primarily urban |
Religion | Christian (Catholic and Protestant), Jewish, Muslim, Non-affiliated | Christian (Predominantly Catholic), Jewish, Non-affiliated |
- Illinois tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Rhode Island, on the other hand, is often described as strongly Democratic
- Rhode Island's religious environment can be described as Christian (predominantly Catholic), Jewish, and non-affiliated
- Illinois' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christian (Catholic and Protestant), Jewish, Muslim, and non-affiliated
Education Guide When Moving from Illinois to Rhode Island
Comparison | Illinois | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Northwestern University University of Chicago | University of Rhode Island Brown University Rhode Island College |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Lincoln Elementary School Naperville; South Loop Elementary School Chicago; Meadow Glens Elementary School Naperville | Rockwell Elementary School Bristol; Nayatt School Barrington; Community School Cumberland |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Maple School Northbrook; Marie Murphy School Wilmette; Twin Groves Middle School Buffalo Grove | Barrington Middle School Barrington; Gallagher Middle School Smithfield; Wickford Middle School North Kingstown |
Top 3 High Schools | Adlai E. Stevenson High School Lincolnshire; Walter Payton College Prep Chicago; Northside College Preparatory High School Chicago | Classical High School Providence; Barrington High School Barrington; East Greenwich High School East Greenwich |
Top 3 private high schools | University of Chicago Laboratory Schools Chicago; Francis W. Parker School Chicago; Lake Forest Academy Lake Forest | Moses Brown School Providence; The Wheeler School Providence; St. George's School Middletown |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Latin School of Chicago Chicago; The British International School of Chicago Lincoln Park; Avery Coonley School Downers Grove | Gordon School East Providence; Lincoln School Providence; Rocky Hill Country Day School East Greenwich |
Top 3 School Districts | New Trier Township HSD 203 Northfield; Naperville Community Unit School District 203 Naperville; Township High School District 214 Arlington Heights | Barrington Public Schools Barrington; East Greenwich Public Schools East Greenwich; Cumberland School Department Cumberland |
How Much Do Illinois to Rhode Island Movers Cost?
Moving 1,077 miles from Illinois to Rhode Island will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-9 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: A1 Movers, Inc
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,813 | 300 ft3 | $6.04 |
1 Bedroom | $2,697 | 450 ft3 | $5.99 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,458 | 750 ft3 | $5.94 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,483 | 1100 ft3 | $5.89 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,350 | 1600 ft3 | $5.84 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,428 | 1800 ft3 | $5.79 |
Top Illinois to Rhode Island Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Illinois to Rhode Island movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

606 Movers, Inc.
Best moving company overall for Illinois to Rhode Island