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Rhode Island to Iowa Moving Guide

Updated June 4, 2025

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Planning a 1,249 mile interstate move from Rhode Island to Iowa? This moving guide will help you compare living in Rhode Island vs Iowa across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs affordable housing), food & health (like Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) vs Corn on the Cob), 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 (Stuffed Clams) and Grilled Pizza, but get your taste buds ready for Corn on the Cob & Pork Tenderloin Sandwich
  • Iowa housing costs are 53% less expensive than they are in Rhode Island
  • Rent in Iowa is 48.09% more affordable than in Rhode Island
  • Moving from Rhode Island to Iowa will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,000
  • Our top recommended Rhode Island to Iowa movers is Adamantine Spine Moving

Rhode Island to Iowa Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Rhode Island to Iowa

ConsRhode Island iconRhode Island
  • High cost of living
  • Dense population
  • Limited job market
ProsIowa iconIowa
  • Affordable housing
  • Open spaces
  • Diverse job opportunities

Iowa iconIowa
  • Landlocked geography
  • Fewer cultural venues
  • Newer developments
Rhode Island iconRhode Island
  • Coastal beauty
  • Cultural attractions
  • Historical charm

Pros of moving from Rhode Island to Iowa

  • Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to affordable housing
  • Look forward to moving away from the dense population and moving to Iowa with open spaces
  • Swap the limited job market of Rhode Island for diverse job opportunities in Iowa

Cons of moving from Rhode Island to Iowa

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the coastal beauty in Rhode Island to live with the landlocked geography in Iowa
  • You'll lose out on the pro of cultural attractions and have to settle for the con of fewer cultural venues
  • Time to bid farewell to historical charm and get used to newer developments in Iowa

Rhode Island vs. Iowa: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonRhode IslandIowa
Most iconic local food itemStuffies (Stuffed Clams)Corn on the Cob
Most popular meat dishGrilled PizzaPork Tenderloin Sandwich
Most popular street food itemHot WienersTaco Trucks
Most popular vegan foodDel's LemonadeBlack Bean Burger
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Zombie Burger
  • Fong's Pizza
  • Americana
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 Rhode Island to Iowa, you will be trading the iconic Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) of Rhode Island for the equally delicious Corn on the Cob of Iowa. And while the locals in Rhode Island rave about their flavorful Grilled Pizza and sumptuous Hot Wieners, Iowa residents know they have tasty Pork Tenderloin Sandwich and Taco Trucks to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Del's Lemonade they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Black Bean Burger of Iowa. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Rhode Island eateries like Al Forno, Mount Hope Farm, and New Rivers. After the boxes are unpacked in Iowa, don't wait too long before making your way to Iowa's acclaimed eateries like Zombie Burger, Fong's Pizza, and Americana.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Rhode Island and Iowa

ComparisonRhode IslandIowa
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, VictorianRanch, Craftsman
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 listingWaterfront views, Historical featuresSpacious yards, Proximity to nature
  • The Colonial and Victorian architecture that Rhode Island is known for will be replaced with the Ranch and Craftsman architecture typical of Iowa.
  • Compared to Rhode Island's real estate listings that commonly reference waterfront views and historical features, Iowa real estate listings often highlight features like spacious yards and proximity to nature.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Iowa is less walkable than Rhode Island.
  • Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Iowa is more bike-friendly than Rhode Island.
  • Iowa has less of an urban feel than Rhode Island.
  • Iowa housing costs are 53% less expensive than they are in Rhode Island, with a median home price of $214,151 compared to Rhode Island’s $451,868.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Iowa have increased 36% compared to a 55% increase in Rhode Island.
  • Rent in Iowa is 48.09% more affordable than in Rhode Island.

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

ComparisonRhode IslandIowa
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
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 DisastersHurricanes, StormsTornadoes, Floods
Air QualityGoodGood
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)82Β°F/63Β°F85Β°F/65Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)40Β°F/20Β°F31Β°F/13Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4736
Annual Snowfall (Inches)3334
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Rhode Island to Iowa. Iowa gets 1% more sunshine days than Rhode Island.
  • Iowa has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Rhode Island.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and storms in Rhode Island, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and floods in Iowa.
  • The average summer high temperature in Iowa is 3 degrees warmer than in Rhode Island.
  • The average winter lows in Iowa are 7 degrees colder than they are in Rhode Island.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Iowa. Iowa receives 11 fewer inches of rain compared to Rhode Island.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Rhode Island and Iowa

ComparisonRhode IslandIowa
Avg. Household Income$81,854$69,588
Cost of Living Index123.395.9
State Income Tax5.998.53
Avg. Property Tax1.631.57
Avg. Sales Tax7.06.94
Top 3 IndustriesHealth Care, Education, ManufacturingAgriculture, Manufacturing, Finance
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertyLowModerate
HomelessnessLowLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Iowa tend to earn about 15% less than those in Rhode Island
  • The COLI in Iowa will be 22% lower than what you are used to living in Rhode Island
  • The state income tax in IA is 8.53 compared to 5.99 in RI
  • The affluence in Iowa is moderate compared to moderate in Rhode Island
  • The poverty level is moderate in Iowa compared to low in Rhode Island
  • In terms of homelessness, it is low in Rhode Island and low in Iowa

Political and Religious Climate in Rhode Island vs. Iowa

ComparisonRhode IslandIowa
Political Make-upLean DemocraticSwing State
Local PoliticsLiberal policies in urban areasConservative in rural, liberal in urban areas
ReligionCatholic majorityProtestant majority
  • Rhode Island tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
  • Iowa, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state
  • Iowa's religious environment can be described as a Protestant majority
  • Rhode Island's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Catholic majority

Education Guide When Moving from Rhode Island to Iowa

ComparisonRhode IslandIowa
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Rhode Island
Brown University
Rhode Island College
University of Iowa
Iowa State University
University of Northern Iowa
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsRockwell Elementary
Bristol
Nayatt School
Barrington
Community School
Cumberland
Grant Ragan Elementary
Waukee
Brookview Elementary
West Des Moines
Shimek Elementary School
Iowa City
Top 3 Middle SchoolsBarrington Middle School
Barrington
Wickford Middle School
North Kingstown
Scituate Middle School
Scituate
Ames Middle School
Ames
North Central Junior High
Coralville
South East Junior High
Iowa City
Top 3 High School SchoolsClassical High School
Providence
Barrington High School
Barrington
East Greenwich High
East Greenwich
West High School
Iowa City
Ames High School
Ames
Johnston High School
Johnston
Top 3 private high schoolsMoses Brown School
Providence
La Salle Academy
Providence
St. George's School
Middletown
The Scattergood Friends School
West Branch
Maharishi School
Fairfield
St. Albert Catholic Schools
Council Bluffs
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsWheeler School
Providence
Lincoln School
Providence
St. Andrew's School
Barrington
Maharishi School
Fairfield
Scattergood Friends School
West Branch
Cedar Valley Christian School
Cedar Rapids
Top 3 School DistrictsBarrington Public Schools
East Greenwich Public Schools
Lincoln School District
Iowa City Community School District
Ames Community School District
Waukee Community School District

How Much Do Rhode Island to Iowa Movers Cost?

Moving 1,249 miles from Rhode Island to Iowa 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 - $7,000
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Hemmen Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,911300 ft3$6.37
1 Bedroom$2,843450 ft3$6.32
2 Bedrooms$4,701750 ft3$6.27
3 Bedrooms$6,8401100 ft3$6.22
4 Bedrooms$9,8701600 ft3$6.17
5+ Bedrooms$11,0131800 ft3$6.12

Top Rhode Island to Iowa Movers

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

TOP PICK
Adamantine Spine Moving featured image

Adamantine Spine Moving

Best moving company overall for Rhode Island to Iowa

9.54/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Adamantine Spine Moving featured image

Adamantine Spine Moving

9.44/10
ExceptionalView details
ALSO GREAT
Two Men and a Truck featured image

Two Men and a Truck

8.29/10
Very GoodView details
Top Rhode Island to Iowa Routes

Providence to Iowa