Rhode Island to Maine Moving Guide
Updated June 3, 2025

Planning a 317 mile interstate move from Rhode Island to Maine? This moving guide will help you compare living in Rhode Island vs Maine across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs more affordable housing), food & health (like Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) vs Lobster Roll), real estate & housing (colonial vs cape cod), 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 Italian Sausage Sub, but get your taste buds ready for Lobster Roll & Lobster Stew
- Maine housing costs are 13% less expensive than they are in Rhode Island
- Rent in Maine is 12.73% more affordable than in Rhode Island
- Moving from Rhode Island to Maine will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,000
- Our top recommended Rhode Island to Maine movers is Vacationland Moving
Top Rhode Island to Maine Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Rhode Island to Maine movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Vacationland Moving
Best moving company overall for Rhode Island to Maine

Allen's Transfer & Storage

Two Men and a Truck
Rhode Island to Maine Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Rhode Island to Maine
- High cost of living
- Traffic congestion
- Limited outdoor space
- Smaller coastline
- More affordable housing
- Less crowded roads
- Expansive natural beauty
- Picturesque rocky coast
- Longer travel to major cities
- Colder winters
- Fewer cultural activities
- Less urban development
- Proximity to Boston
- Warmer winters
- Rich cultural scene
- Historic architecture
Pros of moving from Rhode Island to Maine
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to more affordable housing
- Look forward to moving away from traffic congestion and moving to Maine with less crowded roads
- Swap the limited outdoor space of Rhode Island for the expansive natural beauty in Maine
- Get ready for the picturesque rocky coast in Maine
Cons of moving from Rhode Island to Maine
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from proximity to Boston in Rhode Island to live with longer travel to major cities in Maine
- You'll lose out on the pro of warmer winters and have to settle for the con of colder winters
- Time to bid farewell to the rich cultural scene and get used to fewer cultural activities in Maine
- Swap historic architecture for less urban development
Rhode Island vs. Maine: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Rhode Island | Maine |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) | Lobster Roll |
Most popular meat dish | Italian Sausage Sub | Lobster Stew |
Most popular street food item | Hot Wieners | Whoopie Pie |
Most popular vegan food | Vegetable Chow Mein | Maple Baked Beans |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10) | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene (out of 10) | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly (out of 10) | 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 Maine, you will be trading the iconic Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) of Rhode Island for the equally delicious Lobster Roll of Maine. And while the locals in Rhode Island rave about their flavorful Italian Sausage Sub and sumptuous Hot Wieners, Maine residents know they have tasty Lobster Stew and Whoopie Pie to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Vegetable Chow Mein they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Maple Baked Beans of Maine. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Rhode Island eateries like Iggy's Doughboys and Chowder House, Al Forno Restaurant, and Los Andes Restaurant. After the boxes are unpacked in Maine, don't wait too long before making your way to Maine's acclaimed eateries like Eventide Oyster Co., Fore Street, and Duckfat.
When comparing lifestyles, Maine shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Rhode Island. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Maine compared to what you are used to in Rhode Island. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Maine.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Rhode Island and Maine
Comparison | Rhode Island | Maine |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial | Cape Cod |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Close to beaches, Historical charm | Near nature, Quiet surroundings |
- The Colonial architecture that Rhode Island is known for will be replaced with the Cape Cod architecture typical of Maine.
- Compared to Rhode Island's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to beaches and historical charm, Maine real estate listings often highlight features like being near nature and offering quiet surroundings.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Maine is less walkable than Rhode Island.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike. Maine is less bike-friendly than Rhode Island.
- Maine has less of an urban feel than Rhode Island.
- Maine housing costs are 13% less expensive than they are in Rhode Island, with a median home price of $392,358 compared to Rhode Islandβs $451,868.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Maine have increased by 70% compared to a 55% increase in Rhode Island.
- Rent in Maine is 12.73% more affordable than in Rhode Island.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Rhode Island and Maine
Comparison | Rhode Island | Maine |
---|---|---|
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 | Storms, floods | Storms, floods, heavy snow |
Air Quality | Good | Very Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 63Β°F | 79Β°F / 59Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40Β°F / 20Β°F | 31Β°F / 13Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 47 | 43 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 33 | 75 |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Rhode Island to Maine. Maine gets 2% fewer sunshine days than Rhode Island.
- Maine has lower humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Rhode Island.
- Say goodbye to the possible storms and floods in Rhode Island, but be on the lookout for potential storms, floods, and heavy snow in Maine.
- The average summer high temperature in Maine is 3 degrees colder than Rhode Island.
- The average winter lows are 7 degrees colder than those in Rhode Island.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Maine. Maine receives 4 fewer inches of rain compared to Rhode Island.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Rhode Island and Maine
Comparison | Rhode Island | Maine |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $81,854 | $69,543 |
Cost of Living Index | 123.3 | 116.5 |
State Income Tax | 3.75 - 5.99% | 5.8 - 7.15% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.53% | 1.36% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.0% | 5.5% |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Manufacturing, Education | Agriculture, Healthcare, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | Moderate |
Poverty | Moderate | Moderate |
Homelessness | Low | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Maine tend to earn about 15% less than in Rhode Island
- The COLI in Maine will be 6% lower than what you are used to living in Rhode Island
- The state income tax in ME is 5.8% - 7.15% compared to 3.75% - 5.99% in RI
- The affluence in Maine is moderate compared to moderate in Rhode Island
- The poverty level is moderate in Maine compared to moderate in Rhode Island
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Rhode Island and low in Maine
Political and Religious Climate in Rhode Island vs. Maine
Comparison | Rhode Island | Maine |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Swing State, with a lean towards Democratic in recent elections |
Local Politics | Diverse urban politics with strong Democrat lean in cities | Local politics vary widely; coastal and urban areas lean Democrat, rural areas more Republican |
Religion | High Catholic population | Mixed religious landscape, less religious overall |
- Rhode Island tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Maine, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state, with a lean towards Democratic in recent elections
- Maine's religious environment can be described as a mixed religious landscape, less religious overall
- Rhode Island's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as having a high Catholic population
Education Guide When Moving from Rhode Island to Maine
Comparison | Rhode Island | Maine |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Rhode Island Rhode Island College Brown University | University of Maine Maine Maritime Academy Bowdoin College |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Rockwell Elementary - Bristol Hampden Meadows School - Barrington Nayatt School - Barrington | Ocean Avenue Elementary - Portland Falmouth Elementary School - Falmouth Cape Elizabeth Elementary School - Cape Elizabeth |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Barrington Middle - Barrington Wickford Middle - North Kingstown R.I. School for the Deaf - Providence | Falmouth Middle - Falmouth Cape Elizabeth Middle School - Cape Elizabeth Yarmouth Middle School - Yarmouth |
Top 3 High Schools | Classical High School - Providence Barrington High School - Barrington East Greenwich High - East Greenwich | Falmouth High School - Falmouth Cape Elizabeth High School - Cape Elizabeth Yarmouth High School - Yarmouth |
Top 3 private high schools | Moses Brown School - Providence Wheeler School - Providence St. George's School - Middletown | Waynflete School - Portland George Stevens Academy - Blue Hill Lincoln Academy - Newcastle |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Moses Brown School - Providence Wheeler School - Providence Lincoln School - Providence | Waynflete School - Portland North Yarmouth Academy - Yarmouth Hebron Academy - Hebron |
Top 3 School Districts | Barrington Public Schools East Greenwich Public Schools Lincoln School District | Falmouth School Department Cape Elizabeth School Department Yarmouth Schools |
How Much Do Rhode Island to Maine Movers Cost?
Moving 317 miles from Rhode Island to Maine will typically cost between $1,500 and $4,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $1,500 - $4,000
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Local Muscle Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,175 | 300 ft3 | $3.92 |
1 Bedroom | $1,743 | 450 ft3 | $3.87 |
2 Bedrooms | $2,873 | 750 ft3 | $3.83 |
3 Bedrooms | $4,168 | 1100 ft3 | $3.79 |
4 Bedrooms | $5,994 | 1600 ft3 | $3.75 |
5+ Bedrooms | $6,667 | 1800 ft3 | $3.70 |