Rhode Island to Arkansas Moving Guide
Updated June 8, 2025

Planning a 1,375 mile interstate move from Rhode Island to Arkansas? This moving guide will help you compare living in Rhode Island vs Arkansas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs affordable housing), food & health (like Stuffies vs Fried Catfish), real estate & housing (colonial, victorian vs ranch, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Rhode Island), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Stuffies and Clam Cakes, but get your taste buds ready for Fried Catfish & Smoked Pork Ribs
- Arkansas housing costs are 55% less expensive than they are in Rhode Island
- Rent in Arkansas is 36.78% more affordable than in Rhode Island
- Moving from Rhode Island to Arkansas will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
- Our top recommended Rhode Island to Arkansas movers is B2 Moving
Rhode Island to Arkansas Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Rhode Island to Arkansas
- High cost of living
- Harsh winters
- Limited outdoor space
- Dense population
- Affordable housing
- Milder climate
- Abundant natural beauty
- More open spaces
- Less historical attractions
- No coastline
- Further from major cities
- Less higher education prestige
- Rich history & culture
- Beautiful coastline
- Proximity to NYC & Boston
- Renowned universities
Pros of moving from Rhode Island to Arkansas
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to affordable housing
- Look forward to moving away from harsh winters and moving to Arkansas with a milder climate
- Swap the limited outdoor space of Rhode Island for abundant natural beauty in Arkansas
- Get ready for more open spaces in Arkansas
Cons of moving from Rhode Island to Arkansas
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the rich history and culture in Rhode Island to live with fewer historical attractions in Arkansas
- You'll lose out on the pro of a beautiful coastline and have to settle with the con of no coastline
- Time to bid farewell to your proximity to NYC and Boston and get used to being further from major cities in Arkansas
- Swap renowned universities for less higher education prestige
Rhode Island vs. Arkansas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Rhode Island | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Stuffies | Fried Catfish |
Most popular meat dish | Clam Cakes | Smoked Pork Ribs |
Most popular street food item | Hot Wieners | Fried Pickles |
Most popular vegan food | Seitan Sandwich | BBQ Jackfruit |
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 Rhode Island to Arkansas, you will be trading the iconic Stuffies of Rhode Island for the equally delicious Fried Catfish of Arkansas. And while the locals in Rhode Island rave about their flavorful Clam Cakes and sumptuous Hot Wieners, Arkansas residents know they have tasty Smoked Pork Ribs and Fried Pickles to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Seitan Sandwich they've grown to love, they can get ready for the BBQ Jackfruit of Arkansas. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Rhode Island eateries like Al's Corner Restaurant, Iggy's Doughboys and Chowder House, and The Mooring Seafood Kitchen and Bar. After the boxes are unpacked in Arkansas, don't wait too long before making your way to Arkansas' acclaimed eateries like McClard's Bar-B-Q, Whole Hog CafΓ©, and Simmons Bank Arena for food events.
When comparing lifestyles, Arkansas shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Rhode Island. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Arkansas compared to what you are used to in Rhode Island. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Arkansas.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Rhode Island and Arkansas
Comparison | Rhode Island | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Victorian | Ranch, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Near water, Historic details | Spacious yards, Natural landscapes |
- The Colonial and Victorian architecture that Rhode Island is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Craftsman architecture typical of Arkansas.
- Compared to Rhode Island's real estate listings that commonly reference near water and historic details, Arkansas real estate listings often highlight features like spacious yards and natural landscapes.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Arkansas is less walkable than Rhode Island.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Arkansas is less bike-friendly than Rhode Island.
- Arkansas has less of an urban feel than Rhode Island.
- Arkansas housing costs are 55% less expensive than they are in Rhode Island, with a median home price of $203,305 compared to Rhode Islandβs $451,868.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Arkansas have increased by 41% compared to a 55% increase in Rhode Island.
- Rent in Arkansas is 36.78% more affordable than in Rhode Island.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Rhode Island and Arkansas
Comparison | Rhode Island | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
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, Hurricanes | Tornadoes, Severe Thunderstorms |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 63Β°F | 92Β°F / 72Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40Β°F / 20Β°F | 50Β°F / 30Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 50" | 50" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 35" | 5" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Rhode Island to Arkansas. Arkansas gets 7% more sunshine days than Rhode Island.
- Arkansas has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Rhode Island.
- Say goodbye to the possible snowstorms and hurricanes in Rhode Island, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in Arkansas.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Arkansas is 10 degrees warmer than in Rhode Island.
- The average winter lows are 10 degrees warmer than they are in Rhode Island.
- Your umbrella might be used the same way in Arkansas. Arkansas receives inches of rain compared to Rhode Island.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Rhode Island and Arkansas
Comparison | Rhode Island | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $81,854 | $55,432 |
Cost of Living Index | 123.3 | 90.5 |
State Income Tax | 3.75-5.99% | 2-5.5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.29% | 0.61% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7% | 9.47% |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Education, Manufacturing | Agriculture, Manufacturing, Retail |
Affluence | Moderate | Modest |
Poverty | Moderate | Higher |
Homelessness | Low | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Arkansas tend to earn about 32% less than in Rhode Island
- The COLI in Arkansas is 27% lower than what you are used to living in Rhode Island
- The state income tax in Arkansas is 2-5.5% compared to 3.75-5.99% in Rhode Island
- The affluence in Arkansas is modest compared to moderate affluence in Rhode Island
- The poverty level is higher in Arkansas compared to moderate poverty in Rhode Island
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Rhode Island and moderate in Arkansas
Political and Religious Climate in Rhode Island vs. Arkansas
Comparison | Rhode Island | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Democrat-dominant | Republican-dominant |
Local Politics | Liberal-leaning, higher union influence | Conservative-leaning, focus on agricultural and business interests |
Religion | Higher Catholic presence | Primarily Protestant with a significant Baptist community |
- Rhode Island tends to lean democrat-dominant in its political climate
- Arkansas, on the other hand, is often described as Republican-dominant
- Arkansas' religious environment can be described as primarily Protestant with a significant Baptist community
- Rhode Island's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as having a higher Catholic presence
Education Guide When Moving from Rhode Island to Arkansas
Comparison | Rhode Island | Arkansas |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Rhode Island Brown University Rhode Island College | University of Arkansas Arkansas State University University of Central Arkansas |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Rockwell Elementary Bristol Nayatt School Barrington Community School Cumberland | Park Magnet Hot Springs Forest Park Elementary Little Rock Vandergriff Elementary Fayetteville |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Barrington Middle Barrington Community Middle Cumberland Broad Rock Middle South Kingstown | LISA Academy North North Little Rock Fulbright Junior High Bentonville Woodland Junior High Fayetteville |
Top 3 High Schools | Classical High School Providence Barrington High School Barrington East Greenwich High East Greenwich | Haas Hall Academy Fayetteville Bentonville High School Bentonville Arkansas School for Mathematics Sciences and the Arts Hot Springs |
Top 3 private high schools | The Wheeler School Providence Moses Brown School Providence St. George's School Middletown | Pulaski Academy Little Rock Little Rock Christian Academy Little Rock Shiloh Christian School Springdale |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Lincoln School Providence The Wheeler School Providence Moses Brown School Providence | Little Rock Christian Academy Little Rock Shiloh Christian School Springdale The New School Fayetteville |
Top 3 School Districts | Barrington School District East Greenwich Public Schools Lincoln School District | Bentonville School District Fayetteville Public Schools Little Rock School District |
How Much Do Rhode Island to Arkansas Movers Cost?
Moving 1,375 miles from Rhode Island to Arkansas will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: B2 Moving
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,982 | 300 ft3 | $6.61 |
1 Bedroom | $2,951 | 450 ft3 | $6.56 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,880 | 750 ft3 | $6.51 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,102 | 1100 ft3 | $6.46 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,251 | 1600 ft3 | $6.41 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,442 | 1800 ft3 | $6.36 |
Top Rhode Island to Arkansas Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Rhode Island to Arkansas movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.