Michigan to Rhode Island Moving Guide
Updated June 21, 2025

Planning a 889 mile interstate move from Michigan to Rhode Island? This moving guide will help you compare living in Michigan vs Rhode Island across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder climate), food & health (like Pasty vs Clam Cakes), real estate & housing (colonial, ranch vs colonial, cottage), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Rhode Island), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Pasty and Coney Dog, but get your taste buds ready for Clam Cakes & Stuffies (Stuffed Clams)
- Rhode Island housing costs are 88% more expensive than they are in Michigan
- Rent in Rhode Island is 43.50% more expensive than in Michigan
- Moving from Michigan to Rhode Island will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Michigan to Rhode Island movers is Pro-Low Moving
Michigan to Rhode Island Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Michigan to Rhode Island
- Harsh winters
- Economic decline
- Limited coastline
- Urban sprawl
- Traffic congestion
- Milder climate
- Stable job market
- Beautiful beaches
- Compact cities
- Less traffic
- High cost of living
- Smaller living spaces
- Fewer cultural options
- Less industrial diversity
- No large lakes
- Low cost of living
- Spacious living areas
- Diverse cultural events
- Rich automotive history
- Great lakes
Pros of moving from Michigan to Rhode Island
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to a milder climate
- Look forward to moving away from economic decline and moving to Rhode Island with a stable job market
- Swap the limited coastline of Michigan for beautiful beaches in Rhode Island
- Get ready for compact cities in Rhode Island
Cons of moving from Michigan to Rhode Island
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a low cost of living in Michigan to live with a high cost of living in Rhode Island
- You'll lose out on the pro of spacious living areas and have to settle for the con of smaller living spaces
- Time to bid farewell to diverse cultural events and get used to fewer cultural options in Rhode Island
- Swap rich automotive history for less industrial diversity
Michigan vs. Rhode Island: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Michigan | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Pasty | Clam Cakes |
Most popular meat dish | Coney Dog | Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) |
Most popular street food item | Detroit-Style Pizza | Hot Wieners |
Most popular vegan food | Traverse City Cherry Salad | Seitan Sandwich |
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 Michigan to Rhode Island, you will be trading the iconic Pasty of Michigan for the equally delicious Clam Cakes of Rhode Island. And while the locals in Michigan rave about their flavorful Coney Dog and sumptuous Detroit-Style Pizza, 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 Traverse City Cherry Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Seitan Sandwich of Rhode Island. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Michigan eateries like Zingerman's Delicatessen, The Mitten Bar, and Selden Standard. 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 Plant City.
When comparing lifestyles, Rhode Island shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Michigan. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Rhode Island, compared to what you are used to in Michigan. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Rhode Island.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Michigan and Rhode Island
Comparison | Michigan | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Ranch | Colonial, Cottage |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Lake access, Spacious yards | Coastal views, Historic properties |
- The Colonial and Ranch architecture that Michigan is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cottage architecture typical of Rhode Island.
- Compared to Michigan's real estate listings that commonly reference lake access and spacious yards, 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 Michigan.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Rhode Island is more bike-friendly than Michigan.
- Rhode Island has more of an urban feel than Michigan.
- Rhode Island housing costs are 88% more expensive than they are in Michigan, with a median home price of $451,868 compared to Michiganβs $239,770.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Rhode Island have increased 55% compared to a 45% increase in Michigan.
- Rent in Rhode Island is 43.50% more expensive than in Michigan.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Michigan and Rhode Island
Comparison | Michigan | 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, Tornadoes | Hurricanes, Coastal Storms |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 79/58 | 82/63 |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 31/18 | 37/23 |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 32.8 | 47.9 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 60.66 | 33.8 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Michigan to Rhode Island. Rhode Island gets 19% more sunshine days than Michigan.
- Rhode Island has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Michigan.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and tornadoes in Michigan, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and coastal storms in Rhode Island.
- The average summer high temperature in Rhode Island is 3 degrees warmer than in Michigan.
- The average winter lows are 5 degrees warmer than they are in Michigan.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Rhode Island. Rhode Island receives 15.1 more inches of rain compared to Michigan.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Michigan and Rhode Island
Comparison | Michigan | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $66,986 | $81,854 |
Cost of Living Index | 91.2 | 123.3 |
State Income Tax | 4.25% | 3.75% - 5.99% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.45% | 1.53% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.00% | 7.00% |
Top 3 Industries | Automotive, Manufacturing, Technology | Healthcare, Education, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | Affluent |
Poverty | Noticeable | Moderate |
Homelessness | Manageable | Present |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Rhode Island tend to earn about 22% more than in Michigan
- The COLI in Rhode Island will be 35% higher than what you are used to living in Michigan
- The state income tax in RI is 3.75% - 5.99% compared to 4.25% in MI
- The affluence in Rhode Island is affluent compared to moderate in Michigan
- The poverty level is moderate in Rhode Island compared to noticeable in Michigan
- In terms of homelessness, it is manageable in Michigan and present in Rhode Island
Political and Religious Climate in Michigan vs. Rhode Island
Comparison | Michigan | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Battleground state, mixture of conservative and liberal | Generally leans Democratic |
Local Politics | Local politics can vary significantly, with both Republican and Democrat strongholds | Democrat-strong with progressive policies often at the forefront |
Religion | Known for a diverse religious landscape, including Christians, Muslims, and others | Primarily Christian, but with a notable presence of other faiths contributing to cultural diversity |
- Michigan tends to lean battleground state, a mixture of conservative and liberal in its political climate
- Rhode Island, on the other hand, is often described as generally leaning Democratic
- Rhode Island's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian, but with a notable presence of other faiths contributing to cultural diversity
- Michigan's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as known for a diverse religious landscape, including Christians, Muslims, and others
Education Guide When Moving from Michigan to Rhode Island
Comparison | Michigan | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Michigan Michigan State University Wayne State University | Brown University University of Rhode Island Rhode Island School of Design |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Nova Classical Academy Bates Elementary Spring Mills Elementary | Rockwell Elementary Nayatt School Community School |
Top 3 Middle Schools | West Middle School Boulan Park Middle Smith Middle School | Lincoln School Gallagher Middle School Barrington Middle School |
Top 3 High Schools | International Academy City High Middle Troy High School | Classical High School Barrington High School East Greenwich High School |
Top 3 private high schools | Detroit Country Day School Greenhills School Cranbrook Schools | Moses Brown School St. George's School The Wheeler School |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Roeper School Detroit Country Day School Cranbrook Schools | Moses Brown School The Wheeler School Lincoln School |
Top 3 School Districts | Bloomfield Hills Schools Birmingham Public Schools Troy School District | Barrington Public Schools East Greenwich Public Schools Lincoln School District |
How Much Do Michigan to Rhode Island Movers Cost?
Moving 889 miles from Michigan 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: 6.5-15.5 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Pro-Low Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,706 | 300 ft3 | $5.69 |
1 Bedroom | $2,537 | 450 ft3 | $5.64 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,191 | 750 ft3 | $5.59 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,092 | 1100 ft3 | $5.54 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,781 | 1600 ft3 | $5.49 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,789 | 1800 ft3 | $5.44 |
Top Michigan to Rhode Island Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Michigan to Rhode Island movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Pro-Low Moving
Best moving company overall for Michigan to Rhode Island