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Rhode Island to Idaho Moving Guide

Updated June 4, 2025

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Planning a 2,632 mile interstate move from Rhode Island to Idaho? This moving guide will help you compare living in Rhode Island vs Idaho across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high living costs vs lower living costs), food & health (like Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) vs Idaho Potatoes), real estate & housing (colonial vs 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 Clam Cakes, but get your taste buds ready for Idaho Potatoes & Huckleberry BBQ Bison
  • Idaho housing costs are 0% less expensive than they are in Rhode Island
  • Rent in Idaho is 22.40% more affordable than in Rhode Island
  • Moving from Rhode Island to Idaho will cost on average between $2,500 - $9,500
  • Our top recommended Rhode Island to Idaho movers is 208 Moving Company

Rhode Island to Idaho Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Rhode Island to Idaho

ConsRhode Island iconRhode Island
  • High living costs
  • Heavy traffic
  • Small size limits exploration
  • Harsh winters
ProsIdaho iconIdaho
  • Lower living costs
  • Less congestion
  • Vast scenic landscapes
  • Milder winters in some areas

Idaho iconIdaho
  • No ocean access
  • Fewer exotic cuisines
  • Less historical diversity
  • More isolated cities
Rhode Island iconRhode Island
  • Ocean access
  • Diverse dining options
  • Rich colonial history
  • Proximity to major cities

Pros of moving from Rhode Island to Idaho

  • Say goodbye to high living costs and hello to lower living costs
  • Look forward to moving away from heavy traffic and moving to Idaho with less congestion
  • Swap the small size limits of exploration in Rhode Island for vast scenic landscapes in Idaho
  • Get ready for milder winters in some areas of Idaho

Cons of moving from Rhode Island to Idaho

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from ocean access in Rhode Island to live with no ocean access in Idaho
  • You'll lose out on the pro of diverse dining options and have to settle for the con of fewer exotic cuisines
  • Time to bid farewell to rich colonial history and get used to less historical diversity in Idaho
  • Swap proximity to major cities for more isolated cities

Rhode Island vs. Idaho: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonRhode IslandIdaho
Most iconic local food itemStuffies (Stuffed Clams)Idaho Potatoes
Most popular meat dishClam CakesHuckleberry BBQ Bison
Most popular street food itemHot WienersFinger Steaks
Most popular vegan foodJohnny CakesWild Huckleberry Pie
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Olneyville New York System
  • Allyn's Cafe
  • The Duck and Bunny
  • Boise Fry Company
  • Westside Drive-In
  • The Bitter Bills
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 Idaho, you will be trading the iconic Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) of Rhode Island for the equally delicious Idaho Potatoes of Idaho. And while the locals in Rhode Island rave about their flavorful Clam Cakes and sumptuous Hot Wieners, Idaho residents know they have tasty Huckleberry BBQ Bison and Finger Steaks to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Johnny Cakes they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Wild Huckleberry Pie of Idaho. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Rhode Island eateries like Olneyville New York System, Allyn's Cafe, and The Duck and Bunny. After the boxes are unpacked in Idaho, don't wait too long before making your way to Idaho's acclaimed eateries like Boise Fry Company, Westside Drive-In, and The Bitter Bills.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Rhode Island and Idaho

ComparisonRhode IslandIdaho
Typical Architecture StyleColonialCraftsman
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, Historic CharmMountain Views, Spacious Lots
  • The Colonial architecture that Rhode Island is known for will be replaced with the Craftsman architecture typical of Idaho.
  • Compared to Rhode Island's real estate listings that commonly reference waterfront and historic charm, Idaho real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and spacious lots.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Idaho is less walkable than Rhode Island.
  • You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Idaho is less bike-friendly than Rhode Island.
  • Idaho has less of an urban feel than Rhode Island.
  • Idaho housing costs are 0% less expensive than they are in Rhode Island, with a median home price of $451,298 compared to Rhode Island’s $451,868.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Idaho have increased by 69% compared to a 55% increase in Rhode Island.
  • Rent in Idaho is 22.40% more affordable than in Rhode Island.

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

ComparisonRhode IslandIdaho
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, FloodsWildfires, Earthquakes
Air QualityGoodVariable
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)82Β°F / 63Β°F85Β°F / 50Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)40Β°F / 20Β°F39Β°F / 19Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)47"12-24"
Annual Snowfall (Inches)33"19-300"
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Rhode Island to Idaho. Idaho gets 5% more sunshine days than Rhode Island.
  • Idaho has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Rhode Island.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and floods in Rhode Island, but be on the lookout for potential wildfires and earthquakes in Idaho.
  • The average summer high temperature in Idaho is 3 degrees warmer than in Rhode Island.
  • The average winter lows are 1 degree colder than they are in Rhode Island.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Idaho. Idaho receives 35 fewer inches of rain compared to Rhode Island.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Rhode Island and Idaho

ComparisonRhode IslandIdaho
Avg. Household Income$81,854$72,785
Cost of Living Index123.391.5
State Income Tax3.75-5.99%1.125-6.925%
Avg. Property Tax1.35%0.75%
Avg. Sales Tax7.00%6.00%
Top 3 IndustriesHealth Care, Education, ManufacturingTechnology, Agriculture, Manufacturing
AffluenceModerateModerate
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessModerateLow
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Idaho tend to earn about 11% less than in Rhode Island
  • The COLI in Idaho will be 26% lower than what you are used to living in Rhode Island
  • The state income tax in ID is 1.125-6.925% compared to 3.75-5.99% in RI
  • The affluence in Idaho is moderate compared to moderate in Rhode Island
  • The poverty level is low in Idaho compared to moderate in Rhode Island
  • In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Rhode Island and low in Idaho

Political and Religious Climate in Rhode Island vs. Idaho

ComparisonRhode IslandIdaho
Political Make-upPrimarily DemocraticPrimarily Republican
Local PoliticsLiberal policies in urban areasConservative policies statewide
ReligionLargely CatholicMajority LDS (Mormon) and Protestant
  • Rhode Island tends to lean primarily Democratic in its political climate
  • Idaho, on the other hand, is often described as primarily Republican
  • Idaho's religious environment can be described as majority LDS (Mormon) and Protestant
  • Rhode Island's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as largely Catholic

Education Guide When Moving from Rhode Island to Idaho

ComparisonRhode IslandIdaho
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Rhode Island
Brown University
Rhode Island College
Boise State University
University of Idaho
Idaho State University
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsRockwell Elementary (Bristol)
Community Elementary (Cumberland)
Hamilton Elementary (North Kingstown)
Longfellow Elementary (Boise)
White Pine Elementary (Boise)
Adams Elementary (Boise)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsBarrington Middle (Barrington)
Wickford Middle (North Kingstown)
Gallagher Middle (Smithfield)
North Star Charter (Eagle)
Heritage Middle (Meridian)
Lake Hazel Middle (Boise)
Top 3 High School SchoolsClassical High (Providence)
Barrington High (Barrington)
East Greenwich High (East Greenwich)
Boise High (Boise)
Renaissance High (Meridian)
Coeur d'Alene High (Coeur d'Alene)
Top 3 private high schoolsMoses Brown School (Providence)
Wheeler School (Providence)
St. George's School (Middletown)
Bishop Kelly High School (Boise)
The Ambrose School (Meridian)
Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy (Coeur d'Alene)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsLincoln School (Providence)
St. Andrews School (Barrington)
Rocky Hill Country Day School (East Greenwich)
Riverstone International School (Boise)
The Ambrose School (Meridian)
North Idaho Christian School (Hayden)
Top 3 School DistrictsBarrington School District
East Greenwich Public Schools
Lincoln School District
Boise School District
Blaine County School District
Coeur d'Alene School District

How Much Do Rhode Island to Idaho Movers Cost?

Moving 2,632 miles from Rhode Island to Idaho will typically cost between $4,000 and $9,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $4,000 - $9,500
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Valley Custom Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,695300 ft3$8.98
1 Bedroom$4,019450 ft3$8.93
2 Bedrooms$6,662750 ft3$8.88
3 Bedrooms$9,7151100 ft3$8.83
4 Bedrooms$14,0511600 ft3$8.78
5+ Bedrooms$15,7181800 ft3$8.73

Top Rhode Island to Idaho Movers

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

TOP PICK
208 Moving Company featured image

208 Moving Company

Best moving company overall for Rhode Island to Idaho

9.49/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Valley Custom Moving featured image

Valley Custom Moving

9.41/10
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 Idaho Routes

Providence to Idaho