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Rhode Island to Kansas Moving Guide

Updated June 19, 2025

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Planning a 1,589 mile interstate move from Rhode Island to Kansas? This moving guide will help you compare living in Rhode Island vs Kansas across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower cost of living), food & health (like Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) vs BBQ Brisket), real estate & housing (colonial vs ranch), 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 BBQ Brisket & Smoked Ribs
  • Kansas housing costs are 50% less expensive than they are in Rhode Island
  • Rent in Kansas is 47.29% more affordable than in Rhode Island
  • Moving from Rhode Island to Kansas will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
  • Our top recommended Rhode Island to Kansas movers is American Movers

Rhode Island to Kansas Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Rhode Island to Kansas

ConsRhode Island iconRhode Island
  • High cost of living
  • Harsh winters
  • Dense population
  • Limited job market
ProsKansas iconKansas
  • Lower cost of living
  • Mild winters
  • Open spaces
  • Growing job market

Kansas iconKansas
  • Landlocked state
  • Less diversity
  • Fewer historical sites
  • Limited water activities
Rhode Island iconRhode Island
  • Coastal views
  • Cultural diversity
  • Rich history
  • Ocean activities

Pros of moving from Rhode Island to Kansas

  • Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to the lower cost of living
  • Look forward to moving away from harsh winters and moving to Kansas with mild winters
  • Swap the dense population of Rhode Island for open spaces in Kansas
  • Get ready for a growing job market in Kansas

Cons of moving from Rhode Island to Kansas

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from coastal views in Rhode Island to live in a landlocked state in Kansas
  • You'll lose out on the pro of cultural diversity and have to settle for the con of less diversity
  • Time to bid farewell to rich history and get used to fewer historical sites in Kansas
  • Swap ocean activities for limited water activities

Rhode Island vs. Kansas: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonRhode IslandKansas
Most iconic local food itemStuffies (Stuffed Clams)BBQ Brisket
Most popular meat dishClam CakesSmoked Ribs
Most popular street food itemHot WienersBBQ Sandwiches
Most popular vegan foodGrilled Vegetable PlatterBBQ Jackfruit
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Al Forno
  • Hemenway's
  • Los Andes
  • Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que
  • Q39
  • Slap's BBQ
Fitness/Health Conscientiousness💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Rhode Island to Kansas, you will be trading the iconic Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) of Rhode Island for the equally delicious BBQ Brisket of Kansas. And while the locals in Rhode Island rave about their flavorful Clam Cakes and sumptuous Hot Wieners, Kansas residents know they have tasty Smoked Ribs and BBQ Sandwiches to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Grilled Vegetable Platter they've grown to love, they can get ready for the BBQ Jackfruit of Kansas. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Rhode Island eateries like Al Forno, Hemenway's, and Los Andes. After the boxes are unpacked in Kansas, don't wait too long before making your way to Kansas' acclaimed eateries like Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que, Q39, and Slap's BBQ.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Rhode Island and Kansas

ComparisonRhode IslandKansas
Typical Architecture StyleColonialRanch
Walkability👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban Lifestyle🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingWaterfront, Historic charmSpacious lots, Family-friendly
  • The Colonial architecture that Rhode Island is known for will be replaced with the Ranch architecture typical of Kansas.
  • Compared to Rhode Island's real estate listings that commonly reference waterfront and historic charm, Kansas real estate listings often highlight features like spacious lots and family-friendly amenities.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Kansas is less walkable than Rhode Island.
  • Kansas is similarly bike-friendly to Rhode Island.
  • Kansas has less of an urban feel than Rhode Island.
  • Kansas housing costs are 50% less expensive than they are in Rhode Island, with a median home price of $223,883 compared to Rhode Island's $451,868.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Kansas have increased by 49% compared to a 55% increase in Rhode Island.
  • Rent in Kansas is 47.29% more affordable than in Rhode Island.

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

ComparisonRhode IslandKansas
Days of Sunshine per Year☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️
Avg. Annual Humidity💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦
Avg. UV Index🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️
Natural DisastersStorms, FloodingTornadoes, Hail Storms
Air QualityGood to ModerateGood to Moderate
Average Summer High/Low (°F)82°F / 63°F91°F / 69°F
Average Winter High/Low (°F)40°F / 20°F44°F / 20°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4728
Annual Snowfall (Inches)3516
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Rhode Island to Kansas. Kansas gets 14% more sunshine days than Rhode Island.
  • Kansas has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Rhode Island.
  • Say goodbye to the possible storms and flooding in Rhode Island, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and hail storms in Kansas.
  • Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Kansas is 9 degrees warmer than in Rhode Island.
  • The average winter lows in Kansas are 0 degrees colder than they are in Rhode Island.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Kansas. Kansas receives 19 fewer inches of rain compared to Rhode Island.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Rhode Island and Kansas

ComparisonRhode IslandKansas
Avg. Household Income$81,854$68,925
Cost of Living Index123.391.8
State Income Tax5.99%5.7%
Avg. Property Tax1.53%1.41%
Avg. Sales Tax7%8.68%
Top 3 IndustriesHealth Care, Education, ManufacturingAgriculture, Aviation, Manufacturing
AffluenceModerateBalanced
PovertyModerateLow
HomelessnessNoticeableLimited
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Kansas tend to earn about 16% less than in Rhode Island
  • The COLI in Kansas will be 26% lower than what you are used to living in Rhode Island
  • The state income tax in KS is 5.7% compared to 5.99% in RI
  • The affluence in Kansas is balanced compared to moderate in Rhode Island
  • The poverty level is low in Kansas compared to moderate in Rhode Island
  • In terms of homelessness, it is noticeable in Rhode Island and limited in Kansas

Political and Religious Climate in Rhode Island vs. Kansas

ComparisonRhode IslandKansas
Political Make-upDemocratic-leaningRepublican-leaning
Local PoliticsDiverse, with a strong union presenceMore conservative, rural interests often influence
ReligionCatholic majority with progressive social valuesEvangelical Protestant with traditional social values
  • Rhode Island tends to lean Democratic-leaning in its political climate
  • Kansas, on the other hand, is often described as Republican-leaning
  • Kansas's religious environment can be described as evangelical Protestant with traditional social values
  • Rhode Island's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as a Catholic majority with progressive social values

Education Guide When Moving from Rhode Island to Kansas

ComparisonRhode IslandKansas
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Rhode Island (Kingston)
Rhode Island College (Providence)
Brown University (Providence)
University of Kansas (Lawrence)
Kansas State University (Manhattan)
Wichita State University (Wichita)
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsRockwell Elementary (Bristol)
Nayatt School (Barrington)
Community School (Cumberland)
Corinth Elementary (Leawood)
Briarwood Elementary (Prairie Village)
Sunset Hill Elementary (Lawrence)
Top 3 Middle SchoolsBarrington Middle (Barrington)
Wickford Middle (North Kingstown)
Gallagher Middle (Smithfield)
Prairie Star Middle (Leawood)
Lakewood Middle (Overland Park)
Leawood Middle (Leawood)
Top 3 High SchoolsClassical High (Providence)
Barrington High (Barrington)
East Greenwich High (East Greenwich)
Blue Valley North High (Overland Park)
Shawnee Mission East High (Prairie Village)
Blue Valley Northwest High (Overland Park)
Top 3 private high schoolsMoses Brown School (Providence)
Wheeler School (Providence)
St. George's School (Middletown)
Pembroke Hill School (Kansas City)
The Independent School (Wichita)
Bishop Miege High School (Roeland Park)
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsLincoln School (Providence)
Wheeler School (Providence)
Moses Brown School (Providence)
The Independent School (Wichita)
Maranatha Christian Academy (Shawnee)
Wichita Collegiate School (Wichita)
Top 3 School DistrictsBarrington School District
East Greenwich School District
Lincoln School District
Blue Valley School District (Overland Park)
Shawnee Mission School District (Shawnee Mission)
Olathe District Schools (Olathe)

How Much Do Rhode Island to Kansas Movers Cost?

Moving 1,589 miles from Rhode Island to Kansas will typically cost between $3,000 and $7,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $3,000 - $7,500
  • Expected Time To Complete: 2-2 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: G Metz Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,103300 ft3$7.01
1 Bedroom$3,132450 ft3$6.96
2 Bedrooms$5,183750 ft3$6.91
3 Bedrooms$7,5471100 ft3$6.86
4 Bedrooms$10,8981600 ft3$6.81
5+ Bedrooms$12,1701800 ft3$6.76

Top Rhode Island to Kansas Movers

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

TOP PICK
American Movers featured image

American Movers

Best moving company overall for Rhode Island to Kansas

9.03/10
RUNNER-UP
College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving featured image

College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving

8.53/10
FabulousView 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 Kansas Routes

Providence to Kansas