Maine to Rhode Island Moving Guide
Want help with the heavy lifting?
Updated August 20, 2025
Planning a 317 mile interstate move from Maine to Rhode Island? This moving guide will help you compare living in Maine vs Rhode Island across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like long, harsh winters vs milder winter climate), food & health (like Lobster Roll vs Calamari), real estate & housing (colonial, cape cod 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 Lobster Roll and Lobster Stew, but get your taste buds ready for Calamari & Italian Sausage
- Rhode Island housing costs are 15% more expensive than they are in Maine
- Rent in Rhode Island is 14.59% more expensive than in Maine
- Moving from Maine to Rhode Island will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,000
- Our top recommended Maine to Rhode Island movers is Vacationland Moving

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

Vacationland Moving
Best moving company overall for Maine to Rhode Island

Allen's Transfer & Storage

Earle W Noyes & Sons Moving Specialists
Maine to Rhode Island Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Maine to Rhode Island
- Long, harsh winters
- Heavy snowfall
- Colder ocean water
- Remote small towns
- Limited public transit
- Longer healthcare drives
- Fewer urban amenities
- Lower job diversity
- Slower rural internet
- Shorter beach season
- Early restaurant closures
- Sparse nightlife options
- Limited international flights
- Far from big cities
- Milder winter climate
- Less frequent snow
- Warmer beach water
- Compact, close amenities
- Better statewide transit
- Closer medical centers
- Vibrant Providence scene
- Broader industry mix
- Wider broadband access
- Longer beach season
- Later dining hours
- Livelier nightlife
- Nearby major airports
- Closer to Boston, NYC
- Hotter, more humid
- Higher housing prices
- Slightly higher crime
- Less open space
- Busier, denser living
- Less reliable snow
- Fewer secluded shores
- Higher sales tax
- Heavier traffic
- More light pollution
- Pricier activities
- Smaller lot sizes
- No national parks
- Cooler summer temps
- Lower housing costs
- Very low crime
- Vast wilderness access
- Quieter, slower pace
- Abundant winter sports
- Iconic rugged coastline
- Lower sales tax
- Less traffic congestion
- Darker night skies
- Cheaper outdoor recreation
- Bigger lots, yards
- Access to Acadia NP
Pros of moving from Maine to Rhode Island
- Say goodbye to long, harsh winters and hello to a milder winter climate
- Look forward to moving away from heavy snowfall and moving to Rhode Island with less frequent snow
- Swap the colder ocean water of Maine for warmer beach water in Rhode Island
- Get ready for compact, close amenities in Rhode Island
Cons of moving from Maine to Rhode Island
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from cooler summer temps in Maine to live with hotter, more humid weather in Rhode Island
- You'll lose out on the pro of lower housing costs and have to settle for the con of higher housing prices
- Time to bid farewell to very low crime and get used to slightly higher crime rates in Rhode Island
- Swap vast wilderness access for less open space
Maine vs. Rhode Island: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Maine | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Lobster Roll | Calamari |
Most popular meat dish | Lobster Stew | Italian Sausage |
Most popular street food item | Whoopie Pie | Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) |
Most popular vegan food | Blueberry Cobbler | Grilled Veggie 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 Maine to Rhode Island, you will be trading the iconic Lobster Roll of Maine for the equally delicious Calamari of Rhode Island. And while the locals in Maine rave about their flavorful Lobster Stew and sumptuous Whoopie Pie, Rhode Island residents know they have tasty Italian Sausage and Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Blueberry Cobbler 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 Maine eateries like Duckfat, Fore Street, and Eventide Oyster Co. 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 Moco Bar, and Los Andes.
When comparing lifestyles, Rhode Island shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Maine. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Rhode Island compared to what you are used to in Maine. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Rhode Island.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Maine and Rhode Island
Comparison | Maine | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Cape Cod | Colonial, Victorian |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Access to nature, Quiet neighborhoods | Close to amenities, Historical charm |
- The Colonial and Cape Cod architecture that Maine is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Victorian architecture typical of Rhode Island.
- Compared to Maine's real estate listings that commonly reference access to nature and quiet neighborhoods, Rhode Island real estate listings often highlight features like closeness to amenities and historical charm.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Rhode Island is more walkable than Maine.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Rhode Island is more bike-friendly than Maine.
- Rhode Island has more of an urban feel than Maine.
- Rhode Island housing costs are 15% more expensive than they are in Maine, with a median home price of $451,868 compared to Maineβs $392,358.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Rhode Island have increased by 55% compared to a 70% increase in Maine.
- Rent in Rhode Island is 14.59% more expensive than in Maine.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Maine and Rhode Island
Comparison | Maine | 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 | Snowstorms, freezing rain | Coastal storms, hurricanes |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 75Β°F/55Β°F | 83Β°F/63Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 31Β°F/13Β°F | 37Β°F/20Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 43" | 50" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 75" | 35" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Maine to Rhode Island. Rhode Island gets 6% more sunshine days than Maine.
- Rhode Island has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Maine.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and freezing rain in Maine, but be on the lookout for potential coastal storms and hurricanes in Rhode Island.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Rhode Island is 8 degrees warmer than in Maine.
- The average winter lows are 7 degrees warmer than they are in Maine.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Rhode Island. Rhode Island receives 7 more inches of rain compared to Maine.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Maine and Rhode Island
Comparison | Maine | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $69,543 | $81,854 |
Cost of Living Index | 116.5 | 123.3 |
State Income Tax | 5.8% | 5.99% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.30% | 1.55% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.5% | 7.0% |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Tourism, Manufacturing | Healthcare, Education, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Rhode Island tend to earn about 18% more than in Maine
- The COLI in Rhode Island is 6% higher than what you are used to living in Maine
- The state income tax in Rhode Island is 5.99% compared to 5.8% in Maine
- The affluence in Rhode Island is high compared to moderate affluence in Maine
- The poverty level is low in Rhode Island compared to moderate poverty in Maine
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Maine and moderate in Rhode Island
Political and Religious Climate in Maine vs. Rhode Island
Comparison | Maine | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Strongly Democratic |
Local Politics | Moderate, with rural regions leaning more conservative | Liberal, even in many rural areas |
Religion | Less religious overall, Christianity most prevalent | Higher Catholic presence |
- Maine 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 having a higher Catholic presence
- Maine's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as less religious overall, with Christianity being the most prevalent
How Much Do Maine to Rhode Island Movers Cost?
Moving 317 miles from Maine to Rhode Island will typically cost between $1,500 and $4,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $1,500 - $4,000
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Local Muscle Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,175 | 300 ft3 | $3.92 |
1 Bedroom | $1,743 | 450 ft3 | $3.87 |
2 Bedrooms | $2,873 | 750 ft3 | $3.83 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,168 | 1100 ft3 | $3.79 |
4 Bedrooms | $5,994 | 1600 ft3 | $3.75 |
5+ Bedrooms | $6,667 | 1800 ft3 | $3.70 |