Rhode Island to Minnesota Moving Guide
Updated June 8, 2025

Planning a 1,519 mile interstate move from Rhode Island to Minnesota? This moving guide will help you compare living in Rhode Island vs Minnesota across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons, food & health (like Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) vs Hotdish), real estate & housing (colonial vs prairie-style and bungalow), 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 Hotdish & Wild Rice and Chicken Soup
- Minnesota housing costs are 27% less expensive than they are in Rhode Island
- Rent in Minnesota is 19.94% more affordable than in Rhode Island
- Moving from Rhode Island to Minnesota will cost on average between $2,000 - $7,500
- Our top recommended Rhode Island to Minnesota movers is Metro Movers
Rhode Island vs. Minnesota: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Rhode Island | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) | Hotdish |
Most popular meat dish | Clam Cakes | Wild Rice and Chicken Soup |
Most popular street food item | Delβs Lemonade | Juicy Lucy |
Most popular vegan food | Seaweed Salad | Grain Bowls |
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 Minnesota, you will be trading the iconic Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) of Rhode Island for the equally delicious Hotdish of Minnesota. And while the locals in Rhode Island rave about their flavorful Clam Cakes and sumptuous Delβs Lemonade, Minnesota residents know they have tasty Wild Rice and Chicken Soup and Juicy Lucy 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 Grain Bowls of Minnesota. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Rhode Island eateries like Al Forno, Persimmon, and The Mooring. After the boxes are unpacked in Minnesota, don't wait too long before making your way to Minnesota's acclaimed eateries like Spoon and Stable, Matt's Bar, and The Bachelor Farmer.
When comparing lifestyles, Minnesota shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Rhode Island. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Minnesota compared to what you are used to in Rhode Island. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Minnesota.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Rhode Island and Minnesota
Comparison | Rhode Island | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial | Prairie-style and Bungalow |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Waterfront, historic charm | Lakeside, energy-efficient |
- The Colonial architecture that Rhode Island is known for will be replaced with the Prairie-style and Bungalow architecture typical of Minnesota.
- Compared to Rhode Island's real estate listings that commonly reference waterfront and historic charm, Minnesota real estate listings often highlight features like lakeside living and energy efficiency.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes; Minnesota is more walkable than Rhode Island.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike; Minnesota is more bike-friendly than Rhode Island.
- Minnesota has less of an urban feel than Rhode Island.
- Minnesota housing costs are 27% less expensive than they are in Rhode Island, with a median home price of $331,117 compared to Rhode Islandβs $451,868.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Minnesota have increased by 33% compared to a 55% increase in Rhode Island.
- Rent in Minnesota is 19.94% more affordable than in Rhode Island.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Rhode Island and Minnesota
Comparison | Rhode Island | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
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 | Nor'easters, Hurricanes | Tornadoes, Blizzards |
Air Quality | Good | Very Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 63Β°F | 83Β°F / 63Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40Β°F / 20Β°F | 23Β°F / 7Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 47" | 30" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 33" | 54" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Rhode Island to Minnesota. Minnesota gets 2% fewer sunshine days than Rhode Island.
- Minnesota has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Rhode Island.
- Say goodbye to the possible nor'easters and hurricanes in Rhode Island, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and blizzards in Minnesota.
- The average summer high temperature in Minnesota is 1 degree warmer than in Rhode Island.
- The average winter lows are 13 degrees colder than they are in Rhode Island.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Minnesota. Minnesota receives 17 fewer inches of rain compared to Rhode Island.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Rhode Island and Minnesota
Comparison | Rhode Island | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $81,854 | $82,338 |
Cost of Living Index | 123.3 | 98.75 |
State Income Tax | 3.75 to 5.99 | 5.35 to 9.85 |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.63 | 1.08 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.00 | 7.35 |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Tourism, Education | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture |
Affluence | Moderate | Considerable |
Poverty | Moderate | Low |
Homelessness | Moderate | Moderate |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Minnesota tend to earn about 1% more than in Rhode Island
- The COLI in Minnesota is 20% lower than what you are used to living in Rhode Island
- The state income tax in MN ranges from 5.35 to 9.85 compared to 3.75 to 5.99 in RI
- The affluence in Minnesota is considerable compared to moderate affluence in Rhode Island
- The poverty level is low in Minnesota compared to moderate poverty in Rhode Island
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Rhode Island and moderate in Minnesota
Political and Religious Climate in Rhode Island vs. Minnesota
Comparison | Rhode Island | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Lean Democratic | Mixed, with a slight Democratic lean |
Local Politics | Democratic majority in state legislature | Variable control, often mixed between Democratic and Republican |
Religion | Primarily Catholic | Diverse; including Protestant, Catholic, and Non-affiliated |
- Rhode Island tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Minnesota, on the other hand, is often described as mixed with a slight Democratic lean
- Minnesota's religious environment can be described as diverse, including Protestant, Catholic, and Non-affiliated
- Rhode Island's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as primarily Catholic
Education Guide When Moving from Rhode Island to Minnesota
Comparison | Rhode Island | Minnesota |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Rhode Island Brown University Rhode Island College | University of Minnesota Minnesota State University University of St. Thomas |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Rockwell Elementary Barrington; Nayatt School Barrington; Community School Cumberland | Deephaven Elementary Minnetonka; Creek Valley Elementary Edina; Scenic Heights Elementary Minnetonka |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Barrington Middle Barrington; Wickford Middle North Kingstown; Portsmouth Middle Portsmouth | Wayzata East Middle Plymouth; Minnetonka Middle School East Minnetonka; St. Anthony Middle School St. Anthony |
Top 3 High Schools | Classical High School Providence; Barrington High School Barrington; East Greenwich High East Greenwich | Edina Senior High Edina; Minnetonka Senior High Minnetonka; Wayzata High Plymouth |
Top 3 private high schools | Moses Brown School Providence; St. George's School Middletown; Wheeler School Providence | Breck School Golden Valley; The Blake School Minneapolis; St. Paul Academy St. Paul |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Lincoln School Providence; The Wheeler School Providence; Moses Brown School Providence | Breck School Golden Valley; The Blake School Minneapolis; St. Paul Academy and Summit School St. Paul |
Top 3 School Districts | Barrington School District East Greenwich Public Schools Cumberland School District | Edina Public Schools Minnetonka Public Schools Wayzata Public Schools |
How Much Do Rhode Island to Minnesota Movers Cost?
Moving 1,519 miles from Rhode Island to Minnesota 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: 5-6 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Metro Movers
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $2,064 | 300 ft3 | $6.88 |
1 Bedroom | $3,073 | 450 ft3 | $6.83 |
2 Bedrooms | $5,084 | 750 ft3 | $6.78 |
3 Bedrooms | $7,402 | 1100 ft3 | $6.73 |
4 Bedrooms | $10,686 | 1600 ft3 | $6.68 |
5+ Bedrooms | $11,932 | 1800 ft3 | $6.63 |
Top Rhode Island to Minnesota Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Rhode Island to Minnesota movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.