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Minnesota to Rhode Island Moving Guide

Updated June 11, 2025

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Planning a 1,515 mile interstate move from Minnesota to Rhode Island? This moving guide will help you compare living in Minnesota vs Rhode Island across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like brutal winters vs milder winters), food & health (like Hotdish vs Clam Cakes), real estate & housing (ranch, craftsman 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 Hotdish and Juicy Lucy, but get your taste buds ready for Clam Cakes & Stuffies
  • Rhode Island housing costs are 36% more expensive than they are in Minnesota
  • Rent in Rhode Island is 24.91% more expensive than in Minnesota
  • Moving from Minnesota to Rhode Island will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
  • Our top recommended Minnesota to Rhode Island movers is Metro Movers

Minnesota to Rhode Island Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Minnesota to Rhode Island

ConsMinnesota iconMinnesota
  • Brutal winters
  • Limited coastline
  • Higher taxes
  • Longer distances
ProsRhode Island iconRhode Island
  • Milder winters
  • Beautiful beaches
  • Lower taxes
  • Compact state

Rhode Island iconRhode Island
  • Less seasonal variety
  • Less parkland
  • Higher cost of living
  • Smaller art community
Minnesota iconMinnesota
  • Four distinct seasons
  • Natural parks
  • Lower cost of living
  • Flourishing arts scene

Pros of moving from Minnesota to Rhode Island

  • Say goodbye to brutal winters and hello to milder winters
  • Look forward to moving away from limited coastline and moving to Rhode Island with beautiful beaches
  • Swap the higher taxes of Minnesota for lower taxes in Rhode Island
  • Get ready for a compact state in Rhode Island

Cons of moving from Minnesota to Rhode Island

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from four distinct seasons in Minnesota to live with less seasonal variety in Rhode Island
  • You'll lose out on the pro of natural parks and have to settle for the con of less parkland
  • Time to bid farewell to a lower cost of living and get used to a higher cost of living in Rhode Island
  • Swap a flourishing arts scene for a smaller art community

Minnesota vs. Rhode Island: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonMinnesotaRhode Island
Most iconic local food itemHotdishClam Cakes
Most popular meat dishJuicy LucyStuffies
Most popular street food itemMini DonutsCalamari
Most popular vegan foodWild Rice SoupVegan Lobster Roll
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Matt's Bar
  • The Jucy Lucy
  • Grandma's Saloon & Grill
  • Al Forno
  • Providence Oyster Bar
  • Olneyville New York System
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Minnesota to Rhode Island, you will be trading the iconic Hotdish of Minnesota for the equally delicious Clam Cakes of Rhode Island. And while the locals in Minnesota rave about their flavorful Juicy Lucy and sumptuous Mini Donuts, Rhode Island residents know they have tasty Stuffies and Calamari to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Wild Rice Soup they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Lobster Roll of Rhode Island. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Minnesota eateries like Matt's Bar, The Jucy Lucy, and Grandma's Saloon and Grill. 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, Providence Oyster Bar, and Olneyville New York System.

When comparing lifestyles, Rhode Island shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Minnesota. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Rhode Island compared to what you are used to in Minnesota. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Rhode Island.

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Minnesota and Rhode Island

ComparisonMinnesotaRhode Island
Typical Architecture StyleRanch, CraftsmanColonial, Victorian
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingSpacious yards, Proximity to lakesCoastal views, Historic details
  • The Ranch and Craftsman architecture that Minnesota is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Victorian architecture typical of Rhode Island.
  • Compared to Minnesota's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and proximity to lakes, Rhode Island real estate listings often highlight features like coastal views and historic details.
  • Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Rhode Island is more walkable than Minnesota.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Rhode Island is more bike-friendly than Minnesota.
  • Rhode Island has more of an urban feel than Minnesota.
  • Rhode Island housing costs are 36% more expensive than they are in Minnesota, with a median home price of $451,868 compared to Minnesota’s $331,117.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Rhode Island have increased by 55% compared to a 33% increase in Minnesota.
  • Rent in Rhode Island is 24.91% more expensive than in Minnesota.

Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Minnesota and Rhode Island

ComparisonMinnesotaRhode Island
Days of Sunshine per Year198 days202 days
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersBlizzards, TornadoesHurricanes, Floods
Air QualityGoodGood to Moderate
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)83Β°F / 63Β°F82Β°F / 63Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)24Β°F / 7Β°F40Β°F / 20Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)30 inches50 inches
Annual Snowfall (Inches)54 inches33 inches
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Minnesota to Rhode Island. Rhode Island gets 2% more sunshine days than Minnesota.
  • Rhode Island has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Minnesota.
  • Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and tornadoes in Minnesota, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and floods in Rhode Island.
  • The average summer high temperature in Rhode Island is 1 degree colder than in Minnesota.
  • The average winter lows are 13 degrees warmer than they are in Minnesota.
  • Your umbrella might be more overworked in Rhode Island. Rhode Island receives 20 more inches of rain compared to Minnesota.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Minnesota and Rhode Island

ComparisonMinnesotaRhode Island
Avg. Household Income$82,338$81,854
Cost of Living Index98.75123.3
State Income Tax5.35% - 9.85%3.75% - 5.99%
Avg. Property Tax1.12%1.63%
Avg. Sales Tax6.875%7.0%
Top 3 IndustriesManufacturing, Agriculture, MiningHealthcare, Tourism, Education
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessLowModerate
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Rhode Island tend to earn about 1% less than in Minnesota
  • The COLI in Rhode Island will be 25% higher than what you are used to living in Minnesota
  • The state income tax in RI is 3.75% to 5.99% compared to 5.35% to 9.85% in MN
  • The affluence in Rhode Island is high compared to moderate in Minnesota
  • The poverty level is moderate in Rhode Island compared to low in Minnesota
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Minnesota and moderate in Rhode Island

Political and Religious Climate in Minnesota vs. Rhode Island

ComparisonMinnesotaRhode Island
Political Make-upMixed; leans DemocraticStrongly Democratic
Local PoliticsProgressive urban centers with conservative rural areasMostly liberal across the state
ReligionChristian majority with diverse religious communitiesHeavily Catholic with growing diverse religious groups
  • Minnesota tends to lean mixed and leans 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 heavily Catholic with growing diverse religious groups
  • Minnesota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Christian majority with diverse religious communities

Education Guide When Moving from Minnesota to Rhode Island

ComparisonMinnesotaRhode Island
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Minnesota
Minnesota State University
St. Cloud State University
Brown University
University of Rhode Island
Rhode Island School of Design
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsScenic Heights Elementary (Minnetonka)
St. Croix Catholic School (Stillwater)
Deephaven Elementary (Deephaven)
Rockwell Elementary (Bristol)
Hamilton Elementary (North Kingstown)
Community School (Cumberland)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsWayzata Central Middle School (Plymouth)
Minnetonka Middle School East (Minnetonka)
Twin Oaks Middle School (Prior Lake)
Barrington Middle School (Barrington)
Wickford Middle School (North Kingstown)
Portsmouth Middle School (Portsmouth)
Top 3 High SchoolsMinnetonka High School (Minnetonka)
Edina High School (Edina)
Wayzata High School (Plymouth)
Classical High School (Providence)
Barrington High School (Barrington)
East Greenwich High School (East Greenwich)
Top 3 private high schoolsBreck School (Minneapolis)
Blake School (Minneapolis)
St. Thomas Academy (Mendota Heights)
Moses Brown School (Providence)
St. George's School (Middletown)
Wheeler School (Providence)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsBreck School (Minneapolis)
Blake School (Minneapolis)
Mounds Park Academy (Saint Paul)
Moses Brown School (Providence)
Wheeler School (Providence)
Lincoln School (Providence)
Top 3 School DistrictsWayzata Public Schools
Edina Public Schools
Minnetonka Public Schools
Barrington Public Schools
East Greenwich Public Schools
North Kingstown School District

How Much Do Minnesota to Rhode Island Movers Cost?

Moving 1,515 miles from Minnesota 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 - $7,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 5-6 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Metro Movers
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,061300 ft3$6.87
1 Bedroom$3,070450 ft3$6.82
2 Bedrooms$5,078750 ft3$6.77
3 Bedrooms$7,3931100 ft3$6.72
4 Bedrooms$10,6741600 ft3$6.67
5+ Bedrooms$11,9181800 ft3$6.62

Top Minnesota to Rhode Island Movers

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

TOP PICK
Metro Movers featured image

Metro Movers

Best moving company overall for Minnesota to Rhode Island

9.51/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
General Expert Moving Service LLC featured image

General Expert Moving Service LLC

9.29/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Goal Line Moving featured image

Goal Line Moving

9.27/10
ExceptionalView details

Minneapolis to Rhode Island

St. Paul to Rhode Island