Kansas to Rhode Island Moving Guide
Updated June 13, 2025

Planning a 1,589 mile interstate move from Kansas to Rhode Island? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kansas vs Rhode Island across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like severe tornadoes vs milder weather), food & health (like BBQ Ribs vs Clam Cakes), real estate & housing (ranch vs colonial), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Rhode Island), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to BBQ Ribs and Smoked Brisket, but get your taste buds ready for Clam Cakes & Stuffies (Stuffed Clams)
- Rhode Island housing costs are 102% more expensive than they are in Kansas
- Rent in Rhode Island is 89.71% more expensive than in Kansas
- Moving from Kansas to Rhode Island will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
- Our top recommended Kansas to Rhode Island movers is American Movers
Kansas to Rhode Island Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Kansas to Rhode Island
- Severe tornadoes
- Limited coastline
- Flat landscapes
- Fewer seafood options
- Milder weather
- Beautiful beaches
- Scenic vistas
- Fresh seafood
- Higher cost of living
- Dense population
- Street parking fees
- Congested roads
- Lower cost of living
- Open spaces
- Free parking
- Wide roads
Pros of moving from Kansas to Rhode Island
- Say goodbye to severe tornadoes and hello to milder weather
- Look forward to moving away from limited coastline and moving to Rhode Island with beautiful beaches
- Swap the flat landscapes of Kansas for scenic vistas in Rhode Island
- Get ready for fresh seafood in Rhode Island
Cons of moving from Kansas to Rhode Island
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the lower cost of living in Kansas to live with the higher cost of living in Rhode Island
- You'll lose out on the pro of open spaces and have to settle for the con of a dense population
- Time to bid farewell to free parking and get used to street parking fees in Rhode Island
- Swap wide roads for congested roads
Kansas vs. Rhode Island: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Kansas | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | BBQ Ribs | Clam Cakes |
Most popular meat dish | Smoked Brisket | Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) |
Most popular street food item | BBQ Sandwich | Hot Wieners |
Most popular vegan food | Jackfruit BBQ | Vegan Deli Sandwiches |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10) | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10) | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene (out of 10) | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly (out of 10) | 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 Kansas to Rhode Island, you will be trading the iconic BBQ Ribs of Kansas for the equally delicious Clam Cakes of Rhode Island. And while the locals in Kansas rave about their flavorful Smoked Brisket and sumptuous BBQ Sandwich, 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 Jackfruit BBQ they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Deli Sandwiches of Rhode Island. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Kansas eateries like Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que, The Anchor, and Fritz's Smoked Meats. After the boxes are unpacked in Rhode Island, don't wait too long before making your way to Rhode Island's acclaimed eateries like Iggy's Doughboys and Chowder House, Al Forno Restaurant, and The Mooring Seafood Kitchen.
When comparing lifestyles, Rhode Island shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Kansas. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Rhode Island compared to what you are used to in Kansas. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Rhode Island.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kansas and Rhode Island
Comparison | Kansas | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch | Colonial |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, Garages | Proximity to water, Historic details |
- The Ranch architecture that Kansas is known for will be replaced with the Colonial architecture typical of Rhode Island.
- Compared to Kansas's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and garages, Rhode Island real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to water and historic details.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Rhode Island is more walkable than Kansas.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Rhode Island is more bike-friendly than Kansas.
- Rhode Island has more of an urban feel than Kansas.
- Rhode Island housing costs are 102% more expensive than they are in Kansas, with a median home price of $451,868 compared to Kansasβs $223,883.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Rhode Island have increased 55% compared to a 49% increase in Kansas.
- Rent in Rhode Island is 89.71% more expensive than in Kansas.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Kansas and Rhode Island
Comparison | Kansas | 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, Storms | Hurricanes, Winter storms |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 90Β°F / 70Β°F | 82Β°F / 63Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 42Β°F / 20Β°F | 40Β°F / 25Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 28" | 50" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 15" | 33" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Kansas to Rhode Island. Rhode Island gets 13% fewer sunshine days than Kansas.
- Rhode Island has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Kansas.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and storms in Kansas, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and winter storms in Rhode Island.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Rhode Island is 8 degrees colder than Kansas.
- The average winter lows are 5 degrees warmer than they are in Kansas.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Rhode Island. Rhode Island receives 22 more inches of rain compared to Kansas.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Kansas and Rhode Island
Comparison | Kansas | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $68,925 | $81,854 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.8 | 123.3 |
State Income Tax | 5.7% | 5.99% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.4% | 1.68% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 8.7% | 7% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Energy | Education, Healthcare, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Rhode Island tend to earn about 19% more than in Kansas
- The COLI in Rhode Island will be 34% higher than what you are used to living in Kansas
- The state income tax in RI is 5.99% compared to 5.7% in KS
- The affluence in Rhode Island is high compared to moderate in Kansas
- The poverty level is moderate in Rhode Island compared to low in Kansas
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Kansas and moderate in Rhode Island
Political and Religious Climate in Kansas vs. Rhode Island
Comparison | Kansas | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Conservative | Lean Liberal |
Local Politics | Mixed, with a strong rural conservative presence | Dominantly liberal, especially in urban areas |
Religion | Christianity predominant, with a significant Evangelical presence | Diverse, with a higher Catholic percentage than national average |
- Kansas tends to lean Conservative in its political climate
- Rhode Island, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Liberal
- Rhode Island's religious environment can be described as diverse, with a higher Catholic percentage than the national average
- Kansas' residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity, with a significant Evangelical presence
Education Guide When Moving from Kansas to Rhode Island
Comparison | Kansas | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Kansas Kansas State University Wichita State University | Brown University University of Rhode Island Rhode Island School of Design |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Meadowlark Ridge Elementary (Salina) Corinth Elementary (Prairie Village) Sunset Hill Elementary (Lawrence) | Rockwell Elementary (Bristol) Nayatt School (Barrington) Hamilton Elementary (North Kingstown) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Leawood Middle School (Leawood) Prairie Star Middle School (Leawood) Lakewood Middle School (Overland Park) | Barrington Middle School (Barrington) Wickford Middle School (North Kingstown) Portsmouth Middle School (Portsmouth) |
Top 3 High Schools | Blue Valley North High School (Overland Park) Shawnee Mission East High School (Prairie Village) Blue Valley High School (Stilwell) | Classical High School (Providence) Barrington High School (Barrington) East Greenwich High School (East Greenwich) |
Top 3 private high schools | Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City) Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School (Wichita) St. Thomas Aquinas High School (Overland Park) | Moses Brown School (Providence) The Wheeler School (Providence) St. George's School (Middletown) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Independent School (Wichita) Cair Paravel Latin School (Topeka) Wichita Collegiate School (Wichita) | Lincoln School (Providence) The Wheeler School (Providence) St. George's School (Middletown) |
Top 3 School Districts | Blue Valley School District (Overland Park) Shawnee Mission School District (Shawnee Mission) Olathe School District (Olathe) | Barrington School District (Barrington) East Greenwich Public Schools (East Greenwich) Portsmouth School District (Portsmouth) |
How Much Do Kansas to Rhode Island Movers Cost?
Moving 1,589 miles from Kansas to Rhode Island will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: G Metz Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,103 | 300 ft3 | $7.01 |
1 Bedroom | $3,132 | 450 ft3 | $6.96 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,183 | 750 ft3 | $6.91 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,547 | 1100 ft3 | $6.86 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,898 | 1600 ft3 | $6.81 |
5+ Bedrooms | $12,170 | 1800 ft3 | $6.76 |
Top Kansas to Rhode Island Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Kansas to Rhode Island movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.