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Indiana to Rhode Island Moving Guide

Updated June 17, 2025

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Planning a 857 mile interstate move from Indiana to Rhode Island? This moving guide will help you compare living in Indiana vs Rhode Island across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Pork Tenderloin Sandwich vs Clam Cakes), real estate & housing (ranch, colonial 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 Pork Tenderloin Sandwich and Beef and Noodles, but get your taste buds ready for Clam Cakes & Stuffies (Stuffed Quahogs)
  • Rhode Island housing costs are 91% more expensive than they are in Indiana
  • Rent in Rhode Island is 54.25% more expensive than in Indiana
  • Moving from Indiana to Rhode Island will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
  • Our top recommended Indiana to Rhode Island movers is MVM Moving & Storage

Indiana to Rhode Island Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Indiana to Rhode Island

ConsIndiana iconIndiana
  • Harsh winters
  • Flat landscapes
  • Limited coastline
ProsRhode Island iconRhode Island
  • Milder winters
  • Coastal views
  • Beautiful beaches

Rhode Island iconRhode Island
  • Higher cost of living
  • Heavier traffic
  • Busier environment
Indiana iconIndiana
  • Lower cost of living
  • Less traffic
  • Quieter lifestyle

Pros of moving from Indiana to Rhode Island

  • Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to milder winters
  • Look forward to moving away from flat landscapes and moving to Rhode Island with coastal views
  • Swap the limited coastline of Indiana for beautiful beaches in Rhode Island

Cons of moving from Indiana to Rhode Island

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the lower cost of living in Indiana to live with the higher cost of living in Rhode Island
  • You'll lose out on the pro of less traffic and have to settle for the con of heavier traffic
  • Time to bid farewell to a quieter lifestyle and get used to a busier environment in Rhode Island

Indiana vs. Rhode Island: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonIndianaRhode Island
Most iconic local food itemPork Tenderloin SandwichClam Cakes
Most popular meat dishBeef and NoodlesStuffies (Stuffed Quahogs)
Most popular street food itemElephant EarsNew York System Hot Wieners
Most popular vegan foodSeitan BBQGrilled Vegetable Pizza
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • St. Elmo Steak House
  • Blue Sky
  • The Lizton Dairy Bar
  • Al Forno
  • Iggy's Doughboys & Chowder House
  • Mount Hope Farm CafΓ©
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 Indiana to Rhode Island, you will be trading the iconic Pork Tenderloin Sandwich of Indiana for the equally delicious Clam Cakes of Rhode Island. And while the locals in Indiana rave about their flavorful Beef and Noodles and sumptuous Elephant Ears, Rhode Island residents know they have tasty Stuffies (Stuffed Quahogs) and New York System Hot Wieners to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Seitan BBQ 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 Indiana eateries like St. Elmo Steak House, Blue Sky, and The Lizton Dairy 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 Mount Hope Farm CafΓ©.

When comparing lifestyles, Rhode Island shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Indiana. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Rhode Island, compared to what you are used to in Indiana. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Rhode Island.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Indiana and Rhode Island

ComparisonIndianaRhode Island
Typical Architecture StyleRanch, ColonialColonial, Victorian
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 yards, affordabilityCoastal views, historic homes
  • The Ranch and Colonial architecture that Indiana is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Victorian architecture typical of Rhode Island.
  • Compared to Indiana's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and affordability, Rhode Island's real estate listings often highlight features like coastal views and historic homes.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes, as Rhode Island is more walkable than Indiana.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike, because Rhode Island is more bike-friendly than Indiana.
  • Rhode Island has more of an urban feel than Indiana.
  • Rhode Island housing costs are 91% more expensive than they are in Indiana, with a median home price of $451,868 compared to Indiana’s $236,990.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Rhode Island have increased by 55% compared to a 54% increase in Indiana.
  • Rent in Rhode Island is 54.25% more expensive than in Indiana.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Indiana and Rhode Island

ComparisonIndianaRhode 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 DisastersTornados, FloodsHurricanes, Winter storms
Air QualityModerateGood
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)85/6482/63
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)35/1839/20
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4247
Annual Snowfall (Inches)2233
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Indiana to Rhode Island. Rhode Island gets 9% more sunshine days than Indiana.
  • Rhode Island has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Indiana.
  • Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Indiana, 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 Indiana.
  • The average winter lows are 2 degrees warmer than they are in Indiana.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Rhode Island. Rhode Island receives 5 more inches of rain compared to Indiana.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Indiana and Rhode Island

ComparisonIndianaRhode Island
Avg. Household Income$66,785$81,854
Cost of Living Index92.95123.3
State Income Tax3.233.75 - 5.99
Avg. Property Tax0.871.53
Avg. Sales Tax77
Top 3 IndustriesManufacturing, Agriculture, HealthcareHealthcare, Education, Tourism
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertyModerateModerate
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Rhode Island tend to earn about 23% more than in Indiana
  • The COLI in Rhode Island is 33% higher than what you are used to living in Indiana
  • The state income tax in RI is 3.75 to 5.99 compared to 3.23 in IN
  • The affluence in Rhode Island is moderate compared to moderate in Indiana
  • The poverty level is moderate in Rhode Island compared to moderate in Indiana
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Indiana and moderate in Rhode Island

Political and Religious Climate in Indiana vs. Rhode Island

ComparisonIndianaRhode Island
Political Make-upTraditionally leans RepublicanStrongly leans Democratic
Local PoliticsLocal governance varies, with a mix of Republican and Democratic leadersDemocratic leadership is predominant at local levels
ReligionChristianity is predominant, with a significant Protestant populationHighly Catholic, with one of the highest percentages of Catholics in the U.S.
  • Indiana tends to lean traditionally Republican 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 highly Catholic, with one of the highest percentages of Catholics in the U.S.
  • Indiana's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Christianity being predominant, with a significant Protestant population

Education Guide When Moving from Indiana to Rhode Island

ComparisonIndianaRhode Island
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)Indiana University
Purdue University
University of Notre Dame
Brown University
University of Rhode Island
Rhode Island School of Design
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsParamount School of Excellence
Indianapolis
Sigler Elementary
West Lafayette
College Wood Elementary
Carmel
Rockwell School
Bristol
Community School
Cumberland
Nayatt School
Barrington
Top 3 Middle SchoolsWest Lafayette Jr/Sr High School
West Lafayette
Discovery Middle School
Granger
Wilbur Wright Middle School
Munster
Barrington Middle School
Barrington
East Greenwich Middle
East Greenwich
Gordon School
East Providence
Top 3 High SchoolsCarmel High School
Carmel
Signature School
Evansville
West Lafayette Jr/Sr High School
West Lafayette
Classical High School
Providence
Barrington High School
Barrington
East Greenwich High
East Greenwich
Top 3 private high schoolsBrebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School
Indianapolis
Culver Academies
Culver
Park Tudor School
Indianapolis
Moses Brown School
Providence
The Wheeler School
Providence
St. George's School
Middletown
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsPark Tudor School
Indianapolis
Traders Point Christian Academy
Whitestown
Heritage Christian School
Indianapolis
Lincoln School
Providence
The Wheeler School
Providence
Moses Brown School
Providence
Top 3 School DistrictsCarmel Clay Schools
Carmel
West Lafayette Community School Corporation
West Lafayette
Zionsville Community Schools
Zionsville
Barrington Public Schools
Barrington
East Greenwich Public Schools
East Greenwich
Lincoln School District
Lincoln

How Much Do Indiana to Rhode Island Movers Cost?

Moving 857 miles from Indiana to Rhode Island will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Bulldogs Moving Co.
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,688300 ft3$5.63
1 Bedroom$2,510450 ft3$5.58
2 Bedrooms$4,146750 ft3$5.53
3 Bedrooms$6,0261100 ft3$5.48
4 Bedrooms$8,6841600 ft3$5.43
5+ Bedrooms$9,6801800 ft3$5.38

Top Indiana to Rhode Island Movers

Read our in-depth analysis of the best Indiana to Rhode Island movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

TOP PICK
MVM Moving & Storage featured image

MVM Moving & Storage

Best moving company overall for Indiana to Rhode Island

9.23/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Bulldogs Moving Co. featured image

Bulldogs Moving Co.

9.13/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving Merrillville featured image

College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving Merrillville

8.90/10

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