Rhode Island to Kentucky Moving Guide
Updated June 18, 2025

Planning a 867 mile interstate move from Rhode Island to Kentucky? This moving guide will help you compare living in Rhode Island vs Kentucky across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs affordable housing), food & health (like Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) vs Fried Chicken), real estate & housing (colonial, victorian vs colonial revival, 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 Fried Chicken & Burgoo
- Kentucky housing costs are 55% less expensive than they are in Rhode Island
- Rent in Kentucky is 37.11% more affordable than in Rhode Island
- Moving from Rhode Island to Kentucky will cost on average between $1,500 - $6,000
- Our top recommended Rhode Island to Kentucky movers is From Here to There
Rhode Island to Kentucky Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Rhode Island to Kentucky
- High cost of living
- Snowy winters
- Limited space
- Traffic congestion
- Affordable housing
- Mild winters
- Open landscapes
- Smoother commutes
- No ocean access
- Less historical heritage
- Limited culinary variety
- Further from major cities
- Beautiful coastline
- Rich history
- Diverse dining options
- Proximity to New York
Pros of moving from Rhode Island to Kentucky
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to affordable housing
- Look forward to moving away from snowy winters and moving to Kentucky with mild winters
- Swap the limited space of Rhode Island for open landscapes in Kentucky
- Get ready for smoother commutes in Kentucky
Cons of moving from Rhode Island to Kentucky
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the beautiful coastline in Rhode Island to live with no ocean access in Kentucky
- You'll lose out on the pro of rich history and have to settle for the con of less historical heritage
- Time to bid farewell to diverse dining options and get used to limited culinary variety in Kentucky
- Swap proximity to New York for being farther from major cities
Rhode Island vs. Kentucky: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Rhode Island | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) | Fried Chicken |
Most popular meat dish | Clam Cakes | Burgoo |
Most popular street food item | Hot Wieners | Hot Browns |
Most popular vegan food | Seaweed Salad | 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 Kentucky, you will be trading the iconic Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) of Rhode Island for the equally delicious Fried Chicken of Kentucky. And while the locals in Rhode Island rave about their flavorful Clam Cakes and sumptuous Hot Wieners, Kentucky residents know they have tasty Burgoo and Hot Browns to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Seaweed Salad they've grown to love, they can get ready for the BBQ Jackfruit of Kentucky. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Rhode Island eateries like Al Forno, The Duck and Bunny, and Hemenway's. After the boxes are unpacked in Kentucky, don't wait too long before making your way to Kentucky's acclaimed eateries like The Brown Hotel, Holly Hill Inn, and Ramsey's Diner.
When comparing lifestyles, Kentucky shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Rhode Island. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Kentucky compared to what you are used to in Rhode Island. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Kentucky.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Rhode Island and Kentucky
Comparison | Rhode Island | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Victorian | Colonial Revival, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Waterfront, Historic Charm | Spacious Backyards, Quiet Streets |
- The Colonial and Victorian architecture that Rhode Island is known for will be replaced with the Colonial Revival and Craftsman architecture typical of Kentucky.
- Compared to Rhode Island's real estate listings that commonly reference waterfront and historic charm, Kentucky real estate listings often highlight features like spacious backyards and quiet streets.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Kentucky is less walkable than Rhode Island.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Kentucky is less bike-friendly than Rhode Island.
- Kentucky has less of an urban feel than Rhode Island.
- Kentucky housing costs are 55% less expensive than they are in Rhode Island, with a median home price of $201,332 compared to Rhode Islandβs $451,868.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Kentucky have increased by 47% compared to a 55% increase in Rhode Island.
- Rent in Kentucky is 37.11% more affordable than in Rhode Island.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Rhode Island and Kentucky
Comparison | Rhode Island | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
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, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Variable |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F/63Β°F | 87Β°F/66Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40Β°F/20Β°F | 44Β°F/23Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 50 | 48 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 35 | 22 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Rhode Island to Kentucky. Kentucky gets 3% fewer sunshine days than Rhode Island.
- Kentucky 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 floods in Kentucky.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Kentucky is 5 degrees warmer than Rhode Island.
- The average winter lows are 3 degrees warmer than they are in Rhode Island.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Kentucky. Kentucky receives 2 fewer inches of rain compared to Rhode Island.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Rhode Island and Kentucky
Comparison | Rhode Island | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $81,854 | $59,341 |
Cost of Living Index | 123.3 | 87.8 |
State Income Tax | 3.75% - 5.99% | 2% - 5% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.63% | 0.86% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7% | 6% |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Education, Manufacturing | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Mining |
Affluence | Moderate | Modest |
Poverty | Low | Moderate |
Homelessness | Visible | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Kentucky tend to earn about 28% less than in Rhode Island
- The COLI in Kentucky will be 29% lower than what you are used to living in Rhode Island
- The state income tax in KY is 2% to 5% compared to 3.75% to 5.99% in RI
- The affluence in Kentucky is modest compared to moderate affluence in Rhode Island
- The poverty level is moderate in Kentucky compared to low in Rhode Island
- In terms of homelessness, it is visible in Rhode Island and low in Kentucky
Political and Religious Climate in Rhode Island vs. Kentucky
Comparison | Rhode Island | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Leans Democratic | Leans Republican |
Local Politics | Liberal policies in urban areas | Conservative policies prevalent |
Religion | Primarily Catholic | Primarily Evangelical Protestant |
- Rhode Island tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Kentucky, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Republican
- Kentucky's religious environment can be described as primarily Evangelical Protestant
- Rhode Island's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Catholic
Education Guide When Moving from Rhode Island to Kentucky
Comparison | Rhode Island | Kentucky |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Rhode Island Brown University Rhode Island College | University of Kentucky University of Louisville Western Kentucky University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Rockwell Elementary (Bristol) Nayatt School (Barrington) Community School (Cumberland) | Greathouse/Shryock Traditional (Louisville) Rosa Parks Elementary (Lexington) Veterans Park Elementary (Lexington) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Barrington Middle (Barrington) Wickford Middle (North Kingstown) Portsmouth Middle (Portsmouth) | Beechwood Middle School (Fort Mitchell) Highlands Middle School (Fort Thomas) Morton Middle School (Lexington) |
Top 3 High Schools | Classical High School (Providence) Barrington High School (Barrington) East Greenwich High (East Greenwich) | DuPont Manual High (Louisville) Highlands High School (Fort Thomas) Beechwood High School (Fort Mitchell) |
Top 3 private high schools | Moses Brown School (Providence) St. George's School (Middletown) Wheeler School (Providence) | Sacred Heart Academy (Louisville) St. Xavier High School (Louisville) Trinity High School (Louisville) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Lincoln School (Providence) Rocky Hill Country Day School (East Greenwich) Wheeler School (Providence) | The Lexington School (Lexington) Kentucky Country Day School (Louisville) Louisville Collegiate School (Louisville) |
Top 3 School Districts | Barrington School District East Greenwich Public Schools Lincoln School District | Fort Thomas Independent Schools Beechwood Independent School District Oldham County Schools |
How Much Do Rhode Island to Kentucky Movers Cost?
Moving 867 miles from Rhode Island to Kentucky will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,000
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-3 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Smooth Move Relocation Services
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,694 | 300 ft3 | $5.65 |
1 Bedroom | $2,519 | 450 ft3 | $5.60 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,160 | 750 ft3 | $5.55 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,046 | 1100 ft3 | $5.50 |
4 Bedrooms | $8,715 | 1600 ft3 | $5.45 |
5+ Bedrooms | $9,714 | 1800 ft3 | $5.40 |
Top Rhode Island to Kentucky Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Rhode Island to Kentucky movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

From Here to There
Best moving company overall for Rhode Island to Kentucky