Maine to Rhode Island Moving Guide
Updated June 21, 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, 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 SC Moving Services
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 |
|
|
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
Education Guide When Moving from Maine to Rhode Island
Comparison | Maine | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Maine Bates College Bowdoin College | Brown University University of Rhode Island Rhode Island School of Design |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Cape Elizabeth School Falmouth Elementary Yarmouth Schools | Moses Brown School (Providence) Lincoln School (Providence) Wheeler School (Providence) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Yarmouth Jr. High Cape Elizabeth Middle School Falmouth Middle School | Gordon School (East Providence) Moses Brown School (Providence) Wheeler School (Providence) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Yarmouth High School Cape Elizabeth High School Falmouth High School | Classical High School (Providence) Barrington High School East Greenwich High |
Top 3 private high schools | Waynflete (Portland) Berwick Academy (South Berwick) Hebron Academy (Hebron) | Moses Brown School (Providence) St. George's School (Middletown) Wheeler School (Providence) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Waynflete (Portland) North Yarmouth Academy Berwick Academy (South Berwick) | Moses Brown School (Providence) Lincoln School (Providence) Wheeler School (Providence) |
Top 3 School Districts | Falmouth Yarmouth Cape Elizabeth | East Greenwich Barrington Lincoln |
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: SC Moving Services
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 |
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.

SC Moving Services
Best moving company overall for Maine to Rhode Island