Indiana to Rhode Island Moving Guide
Updated June 17, 2025

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
- Harsh winters
- Flat landscapes
- Limited coastline
- Milder winters
- Coastal views
- Beautiful beaches
- Higher cost of living
- Heavier traffic
- Busier environment
- 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
Comparison | Indiana | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pork Tenderloin Sandwich | Clam Cakes |
Most popular meat dish | Beef and Noodles | Stuffies (Stuffed Quahogs) |
Most popular street food item | Elephant Ears | New York System Hot Wieners |
Most popular vegan food | Seitan BBQ | Grilled Vegetable 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 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
Comparison | Indiana | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch, Colonial | Colonial, Victorian |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, affordability | Coastal 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 Indianaβs $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
Comparison | Indiana | 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 | Tornados, Floods | Hurricanes, Winter storms |
Air Quality | Moderate | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 85/64 | 82/63 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 35/18 | 39/20 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 42 | 47 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 22 | 33 |
- 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
Comparison | Indiana | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $66,785 | $81,854 |
Cost of Living Index | 92.95 | 123.3 |
State Income Tax | 3.23 | 3.75 - 5.99 |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.87 | 1.53 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7 | 7 |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare | Healthcare, Education, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- 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
Comparison | Indiana | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Traditionally leans Republican | Strongly leans Democratic |
Local Politics | Local governance varies, with a mix of Republican and Democratic leaders | Democratic leadership is predominant at local levels |
Religion | Christianity is predominant, with a significant Protestant population | Highly 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
Comparison | Indiana | Rhode 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 Schools | Paramount School of Excellence Indianapolis Sigler Elementary West Lafayette College Wood Elementary Carmel | Rockwell School Bristol Community School Cumberland Nayatt School Barrington |
Top 3 Middle Schools | West 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 Schools | Carmel 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 schools | Brebeuf 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 schools | Park 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 Districts | Carmel 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,688 | 300 ft3 | $5.63 |
1 Bedroom | $2,510 | 450 ft3 | $5.58 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,146 | 750 ft3 | $5.53 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,026 | 1100 ft3 | $5.48 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,684 | 1600 ft3 | $5.43 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,680 | 1800 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.

MVM Moving & Storage
Best moving company overall for Indiana to Rhode Island