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Rhode Island to Montana Moving Guide

Updated June 4, 2025

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Planning a 2,269 mile interstate move from Rhode Island to Montana? This moving guide will help you compare living in Rhode Island vs Montana across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower cost of living), food & health (like Stuffies vs Montana Beef), real estate & housing (colonial, victorian vs rustic, craftsman), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Rhode Island), politics & religion, and education.

Key Takeaways:

  • Say goodbye to Stuffies and Grilled Pizza, but get your taste buds ready for Montana Beef & Bison Burger
  • Montana housing costs are 1% more expensive than they are in Rhode Island
  • Rent in Montana is 32.30% more affordable than in Rhode Island
  • Moving from Rhode Island to Montana will cost on average between $2,500 - $9,000
  • Our top recommended Rhode Island to Montana movers is Moving On Up

Rhode Island to Montana Moving Guide

Pros and Cons of Moving from Rhode Island to Montana

ConsRhode Island iconRhode Island
  • High cost of living
  • Dense population
  • Limited outdoor recreation
  • Traffic congestion
ProsMontana iconMontana
  • Lower cost of living
  • Open spaces
  • Abundant outdoor activities
  • Minimal traffic

Montana iconMontana
  • Less diverse culture
  • Landlocked state
  • Fewer historical sites
  • Limited seafood options
Rhode Island iconRhode Island
  • Cultural diversity
  • Proximity to the ocean
  • Historic attractions
  • Access to seafood

Pros of moving from Rhode Island to Montana

  • Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to the lower cost of living
  • Look forward to moving away from the dense population and moving to Montana with open spaces
  • Swap the limited outdoor recreation of Rhode Island for abundant outdoor activities in Montana
  • Get ready for minimal traffic in Montana

Cons of moving from Rhode Island to Montana

  • Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the cultural diversity in Rhode Island to live with a less diverse culture in Montana
  • You'll lose out on the pro of proximity to the ocean and have to settle for the con of a landlocked state
  • Time to bid farewell to historic attractions and get used to fewer historical sites in Montana
  • Swap access to seafood for limited seafood options

Rhode Island vs. Montana: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene

ComparisonRhode IslandMontana
Most iconic local food itemStuffiesMontana Beef
Most popular meat dishGrilled PizzaBison Burger
Most popular street food itemHot WienersElk Jerky
Most popular vegan foodSeaweed SaladWild Huckleberry Pie
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Al Forno
  • Hemenway’s
  • The Slow Rhode
  • The Buckhorn Bar
  • Louisa’s Pizza & Pasta
  • Crystal Bar
Fitness/Health ConscientiousnessπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺπŸ’ͺ
Abundance of Food Trucks🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚
Foodie Scene🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vegan Friendly🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

If you're moving from Rhode Island to Montana, you will be trading the iconic Stuffies of Rhode Island for the equally delicious Montana Beef of Montana. And while the locals in Rhode Island rave about their flavorful Grilled Pizza and sumptuous Hot Wieners, Montana residents know they have tasty Bison Burger and Elk Jerky 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 Wild Huckleberry Pie of Montana. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Rhode Island eateries like Al Forno, Hemenway’s, and The Slow Rhode. After the boxes are unpacked in Montana, don't wait too long before making your way to Montana's acclaimed eateries like The Buckhorn Bar, Louisa’s Pizza and Pasta, and Crystal Bar.

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

Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Rhode Island and Montana

ComparisonRhode IslandMontana
Typical Architecture StyleColonial, VictorianRustic, Craftsman
WalkabilityπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘ŸπŸ‘Ÿ
Bikeability🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
Urban LifestyleπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈπŸ›οΈ
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listingWaterfront, HistoricMountain Views, Acreage
  • The Colonial and Victorian architecture that Rhode Island is known for will be replaced with the Rustic and Craftsman architecture typical of Montana.
  • Compared to Rhode Island's real estate listings that commonly reference waterfront and historic features, Montana real estate listings often highlight features like mountain views and acreage.
  • You can keep your walking shoes packed away as Montana is less walkable than Rhode Island.
  • Montana is similarly bike-friendly to Rhode Island.
  • Montana has less of an urban feel than Rhode Island.
  • Montana housing costs are 1% more expensive than they are in Rhode Island, with a median home price of $456,199 compared to Rhode Island’s $451,868.
  • Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Montana have increased by 71% compared to a 55% increase in Rhode Island.
  • Rent in Montana is 32.30% more affordable than in Rhode Island.

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

ComparisonRhode IslandMontana
Days of Sunshine per Yearβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈβ˜€οΈ
Avg. Annual HumidityπŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦πŸ’¦
Avg. UV IndexπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈπŸ•ΆοΈ
Natural DisastersHurricanes, Nor'eastersWildfires, Earthquakes
Air QualityGoodExcellent
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)83Β°F/63Β°F85Β°F/50Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)40Β°F/20Β°F34Β°F/17Β°F
Annual Rainfall (Inches)4715
Annual Snowfall (Inches)3360
  • Break out the sunglasses for your move from Rhode Island to Montana. Montana gets 1% more sunshine days than Rhode Island.
  • Montana has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Rhode Island.
  • Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and nor'easters in Rhode Island, but be on the lookout for potential wildfires and earthquakes in Montana.
  • The average summer high temperature in Montana is 2 degrees warmer than Rhode Island.
  • The average winter lows in Montana are 3 degrees colder than they are in Rhode Island.
  • Your umbrella might be neglected in Montana. Montana receives 32 fewer inches of rain compared to Rhode Island.

Financial & Community Snapshot: Rhode Island and Montana

ComparisonRhode IslandMontana
Avg. Household Income$81,854$67,631
Cost of Living Index123.399.4
State Income Tax3.75% - 5.99%1.00% - 6.90%
Avg. Property Tax1.42%0.83%
Avg. Sales Tax7.00%0.00%
Top 3 IndustriesHealthcare, Manufacturing, EducationAgriculture, Tourism, Education
AffluenceModerateModest
PovertyModerateHigher
HomelessnessVisibleLess Visible
  • When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Montana tend to earn about 17% less than in Rhode Island
  • The COLI in Montana is 19% lower than what you are used to living in Rhode Island
  • The state income tax in MT is 1.00% - 6.90% compared to 3.75% - 5.99% in RI
  • The affluence in Montana is modest compared to moderate in Rhode Island
  • The poverty level is higher in Montana compared to moderate in Rhode Island
  • In terms of homelessness, it is visible in Rhode Island and less visible in Montana

Political and Religious Climate in Rhode Island vs. Montana

ComparisonRhode IslandMontana
Political Make-upPrimarily DemocratLean Republican
Local PoliticsMunicipally diverse, notable Democratic major citiesDiverse with a mix of Republican and Democratic strongholds
ReligionCatholic dominatedMixed Christian denominations, Protestant majority
  • Rhode Island tends to lean primarily Democrat in its political climate
  • Montana, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Republican
  • Montana's religious environment can be described as a mix of Christian denominations with a Protestant majority
  • Rhode Island's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as Catholic dominated

Education Guide When Moving from Rhode Island to Montana

ComparisonRhode IslandMontana
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3)University of Rhode Island
Rhode Island College
Brown University
Montana State University
University of Montana
Montana Tech
Top 3 Elementary SchoolsRockwell Elementary - Bristol
Nayatt School - Barrington
Community School - Cumberland
Hawthorne Elementary - Bozeman
Chief Joseph Elementary - Great Falls
Cold Springs Elementary - Missoula
Top 3 Middle SchoolsBarrington Middle - Barrington
Wickford Middle - North Kingstown
Portsmouth Middle - Portsmouth
Sacajawea Middle - Bozeman
C.R. Anderson Middle - Helena
Washington Middle - Missoula
Top 3 High SchoolsClassical High - Providence
Barrington High - Barrington
East Greenwich High - East Greenwich
Bozeman High - Bozeman
Hellgate High - Missoula
Sentinel High - Missoula
Top 3 private high schoolsThe Wheeler School - Providence
Moses Brown School - Providence
St. George's School - Middletown
Missoula International School - Missoula
Bozeman Field School - Bozeman
Billings Central Catholic HS - Billings
Top 3 private K-12 schoolsLincoln School - Providence
Providence Country Day - East Providence
Rocky Hill Country Day - East Greenwich
Petra Academy - Bozeman
Valley Christian School - Missoula
Stillwater Christian School - Kalispell
Top 3 School DistrictsBarrington Schools
East Greenwich Public Schools
North Kingstown Schools
Bozeman Public Schools
Missoula County Public Schools
Helena School District

How Much Do Rhode Island to Montana Movers Cost?

Moving 2,269 miles from Rhode Island to Montana will typically cost between $3,500 and $9,000 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.

  • Expected Range: $3,500 - $9,000
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: G Metz Moving
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$2,489300 ft3$8.30
1 Bedroom$3,711450 ft3$8.25
2 Bedrooms$6,147750 ft3$8.20
3 Bedrooms$8,9611100 ft3$8.15
4 Bedrooms$12,9541600 ft3$8.10
5+ Bedrooms$14,4831800 ft3$8.05

Top Rhode Island to Montana Movers

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

TOP PICK
Moving On Up

Moving On Up

Best moving company overall for Rhode Island to Montana

8.79/10
RUNNER-UP
On The Move LLC featured image

On The Move LLC

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 Montana Routes

Providence to Montana