Kentucky to Rhode Island Moving Guide
Updated June 17, 2025

Planning a 864 mile interstate move from Kentucky to Rhode Island? This moving guide will help you compare living in Kentucky vs Rhode Island across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high humidity vs cooler coastal climate), food & health (like Fried Chicken vs Clam Cakes), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch 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 Fried Chicken and BBQ Ribs, but get your taste buds ready for Clam Cakes & Stuffies (Stuffed Clams)
- Rhode Island housing costs are 124% more expensive than they are in Kentucky
- Rent in Rhode Island is 59% more expensive than in Kentucky
- Moving from Kentucky to Rhode Island will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Kentucky to Rhode Island movers is From Here to There
Kentucky to Rhode Island Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Kentucky to Rhode Island
- High humidity
- Limited coastline
- Fewer seafood options
- Less diversity in cities
- Severe winter storms
- Cooler coastal climate
- Beautiful beaches
- Abundance of seafood
- Rich cultural scenes
- Milder winters
- Limited land area
- Higher cost of living
- Denser population
- Expensive housing market
- Fewer rural areas
- Varied landscapes
- Southern hospitality
- Historic sites
- Lower housing costs
- Local festivals
Pros of moving from Kentucky to Rhode Island
- Say goodbye to high humidity and hello to a cooler coastal climate
- Look forward to moving away from a limited coastline and moving to Rhode Island with beautiful beaches
- Swap the fewer seafood options of Kentucky for an abundance of seafood in Rhode Island
- Get ready for rich cultural scenes in Rhode Island
Cons of moving from Kentucky to Rhode Island
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from varied landscapes in Kentucky to live with a limited land area in Rhode Island
- You'll lose out on the pro of southern hospitality and have to settle for the con of a higher cost of living
- Time to bid farewell to historic sites and get used to a denser population in Rhode Island
- Swap lower housing costs for an expensive housing market
Kentucky vs. Rhode Island: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Kentucky | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Fried Chicken | Clam Cakes |
Most popular meat dish | BBQ Ribs | Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) |
Most popular street food item | Hot Brown Sandwich | Delβs Lemonade |
Most popular vegan food | BBQ Jackfruit | Seaweed Salad |
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 Kentucky to Rhode Island, you will be trading the iconic Fried Chicken of Kentucky for the equally delicious Clam Cakes of Rhode Island. And while the locals in Kentucky rave about their flavorful BBQ Ribs and sumptuous Hot Brown Sandwich, Rhode Island residents know they have tasty Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) and Delβs Lemonade to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the BBQ Jackfruit they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Seaweed Salad of Rhode Island. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Kentucky eateries like The Brown Hotel, Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn, and 610 Magnolia. 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, The Mooring Seafood Kitchen and Bar, and Persimmon.
When comparing lifestyles, Rhode Island shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Kentucky. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Rhode Island compared to what you are used to in Kentucky. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Rhode Island.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Kentucky and Rhode Island
Comparison | Kentucky | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Ranch | Colonial, Victorian |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, Privacy | Coastal views, Historic properties |
- The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Kentucky is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Victorian architecture typical of Rhode Island.
- Compared to Kentucky's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and privacy, Rhode Island real estate listings often highlight features like coastal views and historic properties.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Rhode Island is more walkable than Kentucky.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Rhode Island is more bike-friendly than Kentucky.
- Rhode Island has more of an urban feel than Kentucky.
- Rhode Island housing costs are 124% more expensive than they are in Kentucky, with a median home price of $451,868 compared to Kentuckyβs $201,332.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Rhode Island have increased 55% compared to a 47% increase in Kentucky.
- Rent in Rhode Island is 59% more expensive than in Kentucky.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Kentucky and Rhode Island
Comparison | Kentucky | 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 | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 87Β°F / 66Β°F | 82Β°F / 63Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 43Β°F / 23Β°F | 39Β°F / 20Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 45" | 50" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 11" | 33" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Kentucky to Rhode Island. Rhode Island gets 4% more sunshine days than Kentucky.
- Rhode Island has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Kentucky.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and floods in Kentucky, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and blizzards in Rhode Island.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Rhode Island is 5 degrees colder than in Kentucky.
- The average winter lows are 3 degrees colder than they are in Kentucky.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Rhode Island. Rhode Island receives 5 more inches of rain compared to Kentucky.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Kentucky and Rhode Island
Comparison | Kentucky | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,341 | $81,854 |
Cost of Living Index | 87.8 | 123.3 |
State Income Tax | 5 | 4.75 |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.86 | 1.63 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6 | 7 |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture | Healthcare, Education, Manufacturing |
Affluence | Moderate | Above Average |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Rhode Island tend to earn about 38% more than in Kentucky
- The COLI in Rhode Island is 40% higher than what you are used to living in Kentucky
- The state income tax in RI is 4.75 compared to 5 in KY
- The affluence in Rhode Island is above average compared to moderate in Kentucky
- The poverty level is low in Rhode Island compared to moderate in Kentucky
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Kentucky and moderate in Rhode Island
Political and Religious Climate in Kentucky vs. Rhode Island
Comparison | Kentucky | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Generally leans Republican | Generally leans Democratic |
Local Politics | Mix of conservative and liberal local policies | Liberal-leaning local policies |
Religion | Christianity predominant, with a significant Baptist presence | Christianity predominant, with a higher proportion of Catholics |
- Kentucky tends to lean generally Republican in its political climate
- Rhode Island, on the other hand, is often described as generally Democratic
- Rhode Island's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christianity, with a higher proportion of Catholics
- Kentucky's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity, with a significant Baptist presence
Education Guide When Moving from Kentucky to Rhode Island
Comparison | Kentucky | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Kentucky Louisville University of Louisville Louisville Western Kentucky University Bowling Green | Brown University Providence University of Rhode Island Kingston Rhode Island School of Design Providence |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Stopher Elementary School Louisville Brandies Elementary School Louisville Rosa Parks Elementary School Lexington | Rockwell Elementary School Bristol Hamilton Elementary School North Kingstown Community Elementary School Cumberland |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Barret Traditional Middle School Louisville Beechwood Middle School Fort Mitchell Highlands Middle School Fort Thomas | Barrington Middle School Barrington Narragansett Pier Middle School Narragansett Wickford Middle School North Kingstown |
Top 3 High Schools | DuPont Manual High School Louisville Beechwood High School Fort Mitchell North Oldham High School Goshen | Classical High School Providence Barrington High School Barrington East Greenwich High School East Greenwich |
Top 3 private high schools | St. Xavier High School Louisville Sacred Heart Academy Louisville The Lexington School Lexington | Moses Brown School Providence St. George's School Middletown The Wheeler School Providence |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Kentucky Country Day School Louisville The Lexington School Lexington Sayre School Lexington | Moses Brown School Providence The Wheeler School Providence Lincoln School Providence |
Top 3 School Districts | Fort Thomas Independent Schools Fort Thomas Beechwood Independent School District Fort Mitchell Oldham County Schools La Grange | Barrington Public Schools Barrington East Greenwich Public Schools East Greenwich North Kingstown School District North Kingstown |
How Much Do Kentucky to Rhode Island Movers Cost?
Moving 864 miles from Kentucky 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: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Smooth Move Relocation Services
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,692 | 300 ft3 | $5.64 |
1 Bedroom | $2,516 | 450 ft3 | $5.59 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,156 | 750 ft3 | $5.54 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,040 | 1100 ft3 | $5.49 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,706 | 1600 ft3 | $5.44 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,704 | 1800 ft3 | $5.39 |
Top Kentucky to Rhode Island Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Kentucky to Rhode Island movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

From Here to There
Best moving company overall for Kentucky to Rhode Island