New Mexico to Rhode Island Moving Guide
Updated June 20, 2025

Planning a 2,058 mile interstate move from New Mexico to Rhode Island? This moving guide will help you compare living in New Mexico vs Rhode Island across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like arid climate vs mild summers), food & health (like Green Chile vs Clam Cakes), real estate & housing (pueblo revival vs colonial and victorian), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Rhode Island), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Green Chile and Carne Adovada, but get your taste buds ready for Clam Cakes & Stuffies (Stuffed Quahogs)
- Rhode Island housing costs are 51% more expensive than they are in New Mexico
- Rent in Rhode Island is 52.81% more expensive than in New Mexico
- Moving from New Mexico to Rhode Island will cost on average between $2,500 - $8,500
- Our top recommended New Mexico to Rhode Island movers is JP Moving
New Mexico to Rhode Island Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from New Mexico to Rhode Island
- Arid climate
- Limited coastline
- Isolation
- Sparse amenities
- Mild summers
- Abundant beaches
- Community vibe
- Ample attractions
- Higher expenses
- Smaller state
- Unpredictable weather
- Limited desert terrain
- Low cost of living
- Rich history
- Sunny days
- Desert landscape
Pros of moving from New Mexico to Rhode Island
- Say goodbye to arid climate and hello to mild summers
- Look forward to moving away from limited coastline and moving to Rhode Island with abundant beaches
- Swap the isolation of New Mexico for the community vibe in Rhode Island
- Get ready for ample attractions in Rhode Island
Cons of moving from New Mexico to Rhode Island
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the low cost of living in New Mexico to live with higher expenses in Rhode Island
- You'll lose out on the pro of rich history and have to settle with the con of a smaller state
- Time to bid farewell to sunny days and get used to unpredictable weather in Rhode Island
- Swap the desert landscape for limited desert terrain
New Mexico vs. Rhode Island: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | New Mexico | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Green Chile | Clam Cakes |
Most popular meat dish | Carne Adovada | Stuffies (Stuffed Quahogs) |
Most popular street food item | Tacos | Hot Wieners |
Most popular vegan food | Blue Corn Enchiladas | Grilled Vegetable Pizza |
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 New Mexico to Rhode Island, you will be trading the iconic Green Chile of New Mexico for the equally delicious Clam Cakes of Rhode Island. And while the locals in New Mexico rave about their flavorful Carne Adovada and sumptuous Tacos, Rhode Island residents know they have tasty Stuffies (Stuffed Quahogs) and Hot Wieners to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Blue Corn Enchiladas they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Grilled Vegetable Pizza of Rhode Island. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic New Mexico eateries like Sadie's of New Mexico, El Modelo Mexican Foods, and Frontier Restaurant. 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, Flo's Clam Shack, and Iggy's Doughboys and Chowder House.
When comparing lifestyles, Rhode Island shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than New Mexico. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Rhode Island, compared to what you are used to in New Mexico. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Rhode Island.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between New Mexico and Rhode Island
Comparison | New Mexico | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Pueblo Revival | Colonial and Victorian |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Views, open space | Proximity to beaches, historic charm |
- The Pueblo Revival architecture that New Mexico is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Victorian architecture typical of Rhode Island.
- Compared to New Mexico's real estate listings that commonly reference views and open space, Rhode Island real estate listings often highlight features like proximity to beaches and historic charm.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Rhode Island is more walkable than New Mexico.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Rhode Island is more bike-friendly than New Mexico.
- Rhode Island has more of an urban feel than New Mexico.
- Rhode Island housing costs are 51% more expensive than they are in New Mexico, with a median home price of $451,868 compared to New Mexicoβs $300,227.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Rhode Island have increased by 55% compared to a 56% increase in New Mexico.
- Rent in Rhode Island is 52.81% more expensive than in New Mexico.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between New Mexico and Rhode Island
Comparison | New Mexico | 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 | Wildfires, Floods | Blizzards, Hurricanes |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 92Β°F / 64Β°F | 82Β°F / 63Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 49Β°F / 23Β°F | 40Β°F / 20Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 14 | 50 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 22 | 34 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from New Mexico to Rhode Island. Rhode Island gets 29% fewer sunshine days than New Mexico.
- Rhode Island has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to New Mexico.
- Say goodbye to the possible wildfires and floods in New Mexico, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and hurricanes in Rhode Island.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Rhode Island is 10 degrees colder than in New Mexico.
- The average winter lows are 3 degrees colder than they are in New Mexico.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Rhode Island. Rhode Island receives 36 more inches of rain compared to New Mexico.
Financial & Community Snapshot: New Mexico and Rhode Island
Comparison | New Mexico | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $59,726 | $81,854 |
Cost of Living Index | 96.45 | 123.3 |
State Income Tax | 4.9% | 5.99% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.8% | 1.3% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.8% | 7% |
Top 3 Industries | Oil and Gas, Tourism, Agriculture | Health Services, Education, Manufacturing |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Significant | Moderate |
Homelessness | Noticeable | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Rhode Island tend to earn about 37% more than in New Mexico
- The COLI in Rhode Island will be 28% higher than what you are used to living in New Mexico
- The state income tax in RI is 5.99% compared to 4.9% in NM
- The affluence in Rhode Island is high compared to moderate in New Mexico
- The poverty level is moderate in Rhode Island compared to significant in New Mexico
- In terms of homelessness, it is noticeable in New Mexico and low in Rhode Island
Political and Religious Climate in New Mexico vs. Rhode Island
Comparison | New Mexico | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Democratic-leaning | Democratic-leaning |
Local Politics | High engagement in environmental and local community issues | Strong labor union influence and active local governance |
Religion | Largely Catholic, with a significant presence of other Christian denominations and Native American religious practices | Primarily Catholic, but with a notable diversity of faiths including Jewish, Protestant, and other religions |
- New Mexico tends to lean Democratic-leaning in its political climate
- Rhode Island, on the other hand, is often described as Democratic-leaning
- Rhode Island's religious environment can be described as primarily Catholic but with a notable diversity of faiths including Jewish, Protestant, and other religions
- New Mexico's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as largely Catholic with a significant presence of other Christian denominations and Native American religious practices
Education Guide When Moving from New Mexico to Rhode Island
Comparison | New Mexico | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of New Mexico New Mexico State University Eastern New Mexico University | Brown University University of Rhode Island Rhode Island School of Design |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Georgia OβKeeffe Elementary School (Albuquerque) Double Eagle Elementary School (Albuquerque) Wood Gormley Elementary School (Santa Fe) | Rockwell Elementary School (Bristol) Nayatt School (Barrington) Community School (Cumberland) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Sidney Gutierrez Middle School (Roswell) Desert Ridge Middle School (Albuquerque) Eisenhower Middle School (Albuquerque) | Barrington Middle School (Barrington) Wickford Middle School (North Kingstown) Gallagher Middle School (Smithfield) |
Top 3 High School Schools | La Cueva High School (Albuquerque) Albuquerque Institute for Mathematics & Science (Albuquerque) Cottonwood Classical Preparatory School (Albuquerque) | Classical High School (Providence) Barrington High School (Barrington) East Greenwich High School (East Greenwich) |
Top 3 private high schools | Albuquerque Academy (Albuquerque) Sandia Preparatory School (Albuquerque) Bosque School (Albuquerque) | Moses Brown School (Providence) St. George's School (Middletown) Wheeler School (Providence) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Sandia Preparatory School (Albuquerque) Albuquerque Academy (Albuquerque) Bosque School (Albuquerque) | Moses Brown School (Providence) Wheeler School (Providence) Lincoln School (Providence) |
Top 3 School Districts | Los Alamos Public Schools Rio Rancho Public Schools Hobbs Municipal Schools | Barrington Public Schools East Greenwich Public Schools Cumberland School District |
How Much Do New Mexico to Rhode Island Movers Cost?
Moving 2,058 miles from New Mexico to Rhode Island will typically cost between $3,500 and $8,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,500 - $8,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: JP Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,369 | 300 ft3 | $7.90 |
1 Bedroom | $3,531 | 450 ft3 | $7.85 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,848 | 750 ft3 | $7.80 |
3 Bedrooms | $8,522 | 1100 ft3 | $7.75 |
4 Bedrooms | $12,316 | 1600 ft3 | $7.70 |
5+ Bedrooms | $13,765 | 1800 ft3 | $7.65 |
Top New Mexico to Rhode Island Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best New Mexico to Rhode Island movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.