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Illinois to Rhode Island Moving Guide

Updated June 19, 2025

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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

ConsIllinois iconIllinois
  • Harsh winters
  • Flat landscapes
  • Traffic congestion
  • High taxes
  • Busy urban centers
ProsRhode Island iconRhode Island
  • Milder coastal climate
  • Scenic ocean views
  • Smaller state, easier commutes
  • Lower property prices
  • Quaint small towns

Rhode Island iconRhode Island
  • Limited industries
  • Fewer transit options
  • Smaller cultural venues
  • Fewer larger institutions
  • Less variety
Illinois iconIllinois
  • 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

ComparisonIllinoisRhode Island
Most iconic local food itemChicago-style deep dish pizzaClam cakes
Most popular meat dishItalian Beef SandwichStuffies (Stuffed Quahogs)
Most popular street food itemChicago-style hot dogHot wiener
Most popular vegan foodRoasted CornGrilled Veggie Pizza
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
  • Alinea
  • Portillo's
  • Al Forno
  • Castiglione Ristorante
  • Iggy's Doughboys & Chowder House
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

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

ComparisonIllinoisRhode Island
Typical Architecture StylePrairie and RanchColonial and Cottage
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingSpacious backyards, basementsWaterfront 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 Illinois’s $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

ComparisonIllinoisRhode Island
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersTornadoes, floodsHurricanes, blizzards
Air QualityModerateGood
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85Β°F / 65Β°F82Β°F / 63Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)35Β°F / 18Β°F39Β°F / 23Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)3947
Annual Snowfall (Inches)2233
  • 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

ComparisonIllinoisRhode Island
Political Make-upLean DemocraticStrongly Democratic
Local PoliticsMixed urban and rural dynamicsPrimarily urban
ReligionChristian (Catholic and Protestant), Jewish, Muslim, Non-affiliatedChristian (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

ComparisonIllinoisRhode 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 SchoolsLincoln 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 SchoolsMaple 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 SchoolsAdlai 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 schoolsUniversity 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 schoolsLatin 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 DistrictsNew 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 - $6,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-9 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: A1 Movers, Inc
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,813300 ft3$6.04
1 Bedroom$2,697450 ft3$5.99
2 Bedrooms$4,458750 ft3$5.94
3 Bedrooms$6,4831100 ft3$5.89
4 Bedrooms$9,3501600 ft3$5.84
5+ Bedrooms$10,4281800 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.

TOP PICK
606 Movers, Inc. featured image

606 Movers, Inc.

Best moving company overall for Illinois to Rhode Island

9.37/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Move-tastic! featured image

Move-tastic!

9.35/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
A1 Movers, Inc featured image

A1 Movers, Inc

9.34/10
ExceptionalView details
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