North Dakota to Rhode Island Moving Guide
Updated June 14, 2025

Planning a 1,823 mile interstate move from North Dakota to Rhode Island? This moving guide will help you compare living in North Dakota vs Rhode Island across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs mild winters), food & health (like Lefse vs Clam Cakes), real estate & housing (ranch, split-level 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 Lefse and Bison steak, but get your taste buds ready for Clam Cakes & Stuffies (Stuffed Clams)
- Rhode Island housing costs are 78% more expensive than they are in North Dakota
- Rent in Rhode Island is 103.94% more expensive than in North Dakota
- Moving from North Dakota to Rhode Island will cost on average between $2,000 - $8,000
- Our top recommended North Dakota to Rhode Island movers is Two Men and a Truck
North Dakota to Rhode Island Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from North Dakota to Rhode Island
- Harsh winters
- Limited entertainment
- Sparse population
- Remote location
- Agricultural landscape
- Mild winters
- Rich cultural scene
- Dense population
- Coastal access
- Picturesque scenery
- Higher living costs
- Traffic congestion
- Limited space
- Urban sprawl
- Expensive real estate
- Close-knit community
- Low crime rates
- Expansive land
- Rural charm
- Affordable housing
Pros of moving from North Dakota to Rhode Island
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to mild winters
- Look forward to moving away from limited entertainment and moving to Rhode Island with its rich cultural scene
- Swap the sparse population of North Dakota for a dense population in Rhode Island
- Get ready for coastal access in Rhode Island
Cons of moving from North Dakota to Rhode Island
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from a close-knit community in North Dakota to live with higher living costs in Rhode Island
- You'll lose out on the pro of low crime rates and have to settle for the con of traffic congestion
- Time to bid farewell to expansive land and get used to limited space in Rhode Island
- Swap rural charm for urban sprawl
North Dakota vs. Rhode Island: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | North Dakota | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Lefse | Clam Cakes |
Most popular meat dish | Bison steak | Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) |
Most popular street food item | Knoephla Soup | Hot Wieners |
Most popular vegan food | Wild Rice Burger | Del's Lemonade |
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 North Dakota to Rhode Island, you will be trading the iconic Lefse of North Dakota for the equally delicious Clam Cakes of Rhode Island. And while the locals in North Dakota rave about their flavorful Bison Steak and sumptuous Knoephla Soup, 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 Wild Rice Burger they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Del's Lemonade of Rhode Island. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic North Dakota eateries like Kroll's Diner, Theodore's Dining Room, and Pit 340 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, Iggy's Doughboys and Chowder House, and Avenue N American Kitchen.
When comparing lifestyles, Rhode Island shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than North Dakota. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Rhode Island compared to what you are used to in North Dakota. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Rhode Island.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between North Dakota and Rhode Island
Comparison | North Dakota | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Ranch, Split-level | Colonial, Victorian |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious yards, quiet neighborhoods | Proximity to the ocean, historic features |
- The Ranch and Split-level architecture that North Dakota is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Victorian architecture typical of Rhode Island.
- Compared to North Dakota's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious yards and quiet neighborhoods, Rhode Island real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to the ocean and historic elements.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Rhode Island is more walkable than North Dakota.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Rhode Island is more bike-friendly than North Dakota.
- Rhode Island has more of an urban feel than North Dakota.
- Rhode Island housing costs are 78% more expensive than they are in North Dakota, with a median home price of $451,868 compared to North Dakotaβs $253,395.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Rhode Island have increased 55% compared to an 18% increase in North Dakota.
- Rent in Rhode Island is 103.94% more expensive than in North Dakota.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between North Dakota and Rhode Island
Comparison | North Dakota | 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 | Floods, Tornadoes | Hurricanes, Winter Storms |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β° / 55Β° | 82Β° / 63Β° |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 24Β° / 2Β° | 37Β° / 20Β° |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 17-25 | 40-50 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 40-50 | 33-37 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from North Dakota to Rhode Island. Rhode Island gets 0% more sunshine days than North Dakota.
- Rhode Island has higher humidity and a similar average UV index compared to North Dakota.
- Say goodbye to the possible floods and tornadoes in North Dakota, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and winter storms in Rhode Island.
- The average summer high temperature in Rhode Island is the same as North Dakota.
- The average winter lows are 18 degrees warmer than they are in North Dakota.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Rhode Island. Rhode Island receives 23 more inches of rain compared to North Dakota.
Financial & Community Snapshot: North Dakota and Rhode Island
Comparison | North Dakota | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $71,970 | $81,854 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.3 | 123.3 |
State Income Tax | 1.1% - 2.9% | 3.75% - 5.99% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.05% | 1.66% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5% | 7% |
Top 3 Industries | Agriculture, Energy, Manufacturing | Healthcare, Education, Manufacturing |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Rhode Island tend to earn about 14% more than those in North Dakota
- The COLI in Rhode Island will be 29% higher than what you are used to living in North Dakota
- The state income tax in RI is 3.75% to 5.99% compared to 1.1% to 2.9% in ND
- The affluence in Rhode Island is high compared to moderate in North Dakota
- The poverty level is moderate in Rhode Island compared to low in North Dakota
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in North Dakota and moderate in Rhode Island
Political and Religious Climate in North Dakota vs. Rhode Island
Comparison | North Dakota | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative | Liberal |
Local Politics | Largely Republican | Dominantly Democratic |
Religion | Primarily Christian | Primarily Christian, with a higher Catholic presence |
- North Dakota tends to lean conservative in its political climate
- Rhode Island, on the other hand, is often described as liberal
- Rhode Island's religious environment can be described as primarily Christian, with a higher Catholic presence
- North Dakota's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Christian
Education Guide When Moving from North Dakota to Rhode Island
Comparison | North Dakota | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of North Dakota North Dakota State University Minot State University | University of Rhode Island Rhode Island School of Design Brown University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Freedman Elementary Bismarck; Liberty Elementary West Fargo; Roosevelt Elementary Dickinson | Moses Brown Lower School Providence; The Wheeler School Lower Providence; Lincoln School Lower Providence |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Ben Franklin Middle School Fargo; Horizon Middle School Bismarck; Discovery Middle School Grand Forks | Moses Brown Middle School Providence; Wheeler Middle School Providence; Gordon School East Providence |
Top 3 High School Schools | Century High School Bismarck; Fargo North High School Fargo; Red River High School Grand Forks | Classical High School Providence; Barrington High School Barrington; East Greenwich High School East Greenwich |
Top 3 private high schools | Shanley High School Fargo; Oak Grove Lutheran School Fargo; Minot Christian Academy Minot | Moses Brown School Providence; The Wheeler School Providence; St. George's School Newport |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Oak Grove Lutheran School Fargo; Shiloh Christian School Bismarck; Grace Christian School Grand Forks | Moses Brown School Providence; The Wheeler School Providence; Lincoln School Providence |
Top 3 School Districts | Fargo Public Schools; Bismarck Public Schools; West Fargo Public Schools | Barrington Public Schools; East Greenwich Public Schools; Newport Public Schools |
How Much Do North Dakota to Rhode Island Movers Cost?
Moving 1,823 miles from North Dakota to Rhode Island will typically cost between $3,500 and $8,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,500 - $8,000
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Midwest Moving Company
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,236 | 300 ft3 | $7.45 |
1 Bedroom | $3,331 | 450 ft3 | $7.40 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,515 | 750 ft3 | $7.35 |
3 Bedrooms | $8,034 | 1100 ft3 | $7.30 |
4 Bedrooms | $11,605 | 1600 ft3 | $7.25 |
5+ Bedrooms | $12,966 | 1800 ft3 | $7.20 |
Top North Dakota to Rhode Island Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best North Dakota to Rhode Island movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Two Men and a Truck
Best moving company overall for North Dakota to Rhode Island

Quality Pack & Load
