Rhode Island to Illinois Moving Guide
Updated June 11, 2025

Planning a 1,078 mile interstate move from Rhode Island to Illinois? This moving guide will help you compare living in Rhode Island vs Illinois across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs affordability in housing), food & health (like Stuffies vs Deep Dish Pizza), real estate & housing (colonial, victorian vs prairie, modern), 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 Deep Dish Pizza & Italian Beef
- Illinois housing costs are 43% less expensive than they are in Rhode Island
- Rent in Illinois is 15.89% more affordable than in Rhode Island
- Moving from Rhode Island to Illinois will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Rhode Island to Illinois movers is 606 Movers, Inc.
Top Rhode Island to Illinois Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Rhode Island to Illinois movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

606 Movers, Inc.
Best moving company overall for Rhode Island to Illinois

Move-tastic!

Two Men and a Truck
Rhode Island to Illinois Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Rhode Island to Illinois
- High cost of living
- Limited job opportunities
- Small geographical size
- Harsh winters
- Affordability in housing
- Thriving job market
- Expansive landscapes
- More moderate winters
- Landlocked state
- Fewer historic towns
- More urban sprawl
- Fewer fresh seafood options
- Coastal access
- Historic charm
- Close-knit communities
- Produced seafood delicacies
Pros of moving from Rhode Island to Illinois
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to affordability in housing
- Look forward to moving away from limited job opportunities and moving to Illinois with a thriving job market
- Swap the small geographical size of Rhode Island for expansive landscapes in Illinois
- Get ready for more moderate winters in Illinois
Cons of moving from Rhode Island to Illinois
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from coastal access in Rhode Island to live in a landlocked state in Illinois
- You'll lose out on the pro of historic charm and have to settle for the con of fewer historic towns
- Time to bid farewell to close-knit communities and get used to more urban sprawl in Illinois
- Swap produced seafood delicacies for fewer fresh seafood options
Rhode Island vs. Illinois: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Rhode Island | Illinois |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Stuffies | Deep Dish Pizza |
Most popular meat dish | Clam Cakes | Italian Beef |
Most popular street food item | Hot Wieners | Chicago-style Hot Dog |
Most popular vegan food | Vegan Calamari | Vegan Deep Dish 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 Rhode Island to Illinois, you will be trading the iconic Stuffies of Rhode Island for the equally delicious Deep Dish Pizza of Illinois. And while the locals in Rhode Island rave about their flavorful Clam Cakes and sumptuous Hot Wieners, Illinois residents know they have tasty Italian Beef and Chicago-style Hot Dog to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegan Calamari they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Vegan Deep Dish Pizza of Illinois. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Rhode Island eateries like Al Forno, The White Horse Tavern, and Los Andes Restaurant. After the boxes are unpacked in Illinois, don't wait too long before making your way to Illinois' acclaimed eateries like Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, Portillo's Hot Dogs, and Alinea.
When comparing lifestyles, Illinois shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Rhode Island. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Illinois, compared to what you are used to in Rhode Island. Also, the overall foodie scene is similarly bustling in Illinois.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Rhode Island and Illinois
Comparison | Rhode Island | Illinois |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Victorian | Prairie, Modern |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Waterfront views, historic homes | Energy efficiency, smart homes |
- The Colonial and Victorian architecture that Rhode Island is known for will be replaced with the Prairie and Modern architecture typical of Illinois.
- Compared to Rhode Island's real estate listings that commonly reference waterfront views and historic homes, Illinois real estate listings often highlight features like energy efficiency and smart homes.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Illinois is more walkable than Rhode Island.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Illinois is more bike-friendly than Rhode Island.
- Illinois has more of an urban feel than Rhode Island.
- Illinois housing costs are 43% less expensive than they are in Rhode Island, with a median home price of $257,738 compared to Rhode Islandβs $451,868.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Illinois have increased 35% compared to a 55% increase in Rhode Island.
- Rent in Illinois is 15.89% more affordable than in Rhode Island.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Rhode Island and Illinois
Comparison | Rhode Island | Illinois |
---|---|---|
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 | Blizzards, Hurricanes | Tornadoes, Blizzards |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 63Β°F | 85Β°F / 65Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 39Β°F / 20Β°F | 35Β°F / 18Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 47" | 39" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 35" | 22" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Rhode Island to Illinois. Illinois gets 6% fewer sunshine days than Rhode Island.
- Illinois has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Rhode Island.
- Say goodbye to the possible blizzards and hurricanes in Rhode Island, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and blizzards in Illinois.
- The average summer high temperature in Illinois is 3 degrees warmer than in Rhode Island.
- The average winter lows in Illinois are 2 degrees colder than they are in Rhode Island.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Illinois. Illinois receives 8 fewer inches of rain compared to Rhode Island.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Rhode Island and Illinois
Comparison | Rhode Island | Illinois |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $81,854 | $76,708 |
Cost of Living Index | 123.3 | 94.25 |
State Income Tax | 3.75% | 4.95% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.63% | 2.05% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.00% | 8.82% |
Top 3 Industries | Education, Healthcare, Manufacturing | Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | Varied |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Stable | Increasing |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Illinois tend to earn about 6% less than those in Rhode Island
- The COLI in Illinois will be 24% lower than what you are used to living in Rhode Island
- The state income tax in IL is 4.95% compared to 3.75% in RI
- The affluence in Illinois is varied compared to moderate affluence in Rhode Island
- The poverty level is moderate in Illinois compared to low in Rhode Island
- In terms of homelessness, it is stable in Rhode Island and increasing in Illinois
Political and Religious Climate in Rhode Island vs. Illinois
Comparison | Rhode Island | Illinois |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Democratically leaning | Democratically leaning |
Local Politics | Focus on maritime industries and education | Heavy emphasis on manufacturing and agriculture |
Religion | Largely Catholic | Diverse, with a significant Protestant presence |
- Rhode Island tends to lean democratically in its political climate
- Illinois, on the other hand, is often described as democratically leaning
- Illinois' religious environment can be described as diverse with a significant Protestant presence
- Rhode Island's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as largely Catholic
Education Guide When Moving from Rhode Island to Illinois
Comparison | Rhode Island | Illinois |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Rhode Island Brown University Rhode Island College | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Northwestern University University of Chicago |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Rockwell Elementary School (Bristol) Hampden Meadows School (Barrington) Community School (Cumberland) | Lincoln Elementary School (River Forest) South Park Elementary School (Deerfield) Willowbrook Elementary School (Glenview) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Barrington Middle School (Barrington) Wickford Middle School (North Kingstown) Archie R. Cole Middle School (East Greenwich) | Woodlawn Middle School (Long Grove) Daniel Wright Junior High School (Lincolnshire) Maple School (Northbrook) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Classical High School (Providence) Barrington High School (Barrington) East Greenwich High School (East Greenwich) | Adlai E. Stevenson High School (Lincolnshire) New Trier Township High School (Winnetka) Northside College Preparatory High School (Chicago) |
Top 3 private high schools | Moses Brown School (Providence) St. George's School (Middletown) Wheeler School (Providence) | University of Chicago Lab School (Chicago) Latin School of Chicago (Chicago) Francis W. Parker School (Chicago) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Wheeler School (Providence) Lincoln School (Providence) Moses Brown School (Providence) | University of Chicago Lab School (Chicago) Francis W. Parker School (Chicago) Latin School of Chicago (Chicago) |
Top 3 School Districts | Barrington Public Schools East Greenwich Public Schools Jamestown School Department | New Trier Township HSD 203 Northfield Township HSD 225 Community High School District 128 |
How Much Do Rhode Island to Illinois Movers Cost?
Moving 1,078 miles from Rhode Island to Illinois will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-9 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: A1 Movers, Inc
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,814 | 300 ft3 | $6.05 |
1 Bedroom | $2,698 | 450 ft3 | $6.00 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,459 | 750 ft3 | $5.95 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,485 | 1100 ft3 | $5.90 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,353 | 1600 ft3 | $5.85 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,432 | 1800 ft3 | $5.80 |