Minnesota to Rhode Island Moving Guide
Updated June 11, 2025

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
- Brutal winters
- Limited coastline
- Higher taxes
- Longer distances
- Milder winters
- Beautiful beaches
- Lower taxes
- Compact state
- Less seasonal variety
- Less parkland
- Higher cost of living
- Smaller art community
- 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
Comparison | Minnesota | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Hotdish | Clam Cakes |
Most popular meat dish | Juicy Lucy | Stuffies |
Most popular street food item | Mini Donuts | Calamari |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Rice Soup | Vegan Lobster Roll |
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 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
Comparison | Minnesota | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch, Craftsman | Colonial, Victorian |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, Proximity to lakes | Coastal 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 Minnesotaβs $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
Comparison | Minnesota | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Days of Sunshine per Year | 198 days | 202 days |
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 | Blizzards, Tornadoes | Hurricanes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 83Β°F / 63Β°F | 82Β°F / 63Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 24Β°F / 7Β°F | 40Β°F / 20Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 30 inches | 50 inches |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 54 inches | 33 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
Comparison | Minnesota | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $82,338 | $81,854 |
Cost of Living Index | 98.75 | 123.3 |
State Income Tax | 5.35% - 9.85% | 3.75% - 5.99% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.12% | 1.63% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 6.875% | 7.0% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Mining | Healthcare, Tourism, Education |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- 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
Comparison | Minnesota | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Mixed; leans Democratic | Strongly Democratic |
Local Politics | Progressive urban centers with conservative rural areas | Mostly liberal across the state |
Religion | Christian majority with diverse religious communities | Heavily 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
Comparison | Minnesota | Rhode 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 Schools | Scenic Heights Elementary (Minnetonka) St. Croix Catholic School (Stillwater) Deephaven Elementary (Deephaven) | Rockwell Elementary (Bristol) Hamilton Elementary (North Kingstown) Community School (Cumberland) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Wayzata 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 Schools | Minnetonka 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 schools | Breck 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 schools | Breck School (Minneapolis) Blake School (Minneapolis) Mounds Park Academy (Saint Paul) | Moses Brown School (Providence) Wheeler School (Providence) Lincoln School (Providence) |
Top 3 School Districts | Wayzata 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 SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,061 | 300 ft3 | $6.87 |
1 Bedroom | $3,070 | 450 ft3 | $6.82 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,078 | 750 ft3 | $6.77 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,393 | 1100 ft3 | $6.72 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,674 | 1600 ft3 | $6.67 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,918 | 1800 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.