Rhode Island to New Hampshire Moving Guide
Updated June 7, 2025

Planning a 139 mile interstate move from Rhode Island to New Hampshire? This moving guide will help you compare living in Rhode Island vs New Hampshire across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high cost of living vs lower taxes), food & health (like Stuffies vs Apple Cider Donuts), real estate & housing (colonial vs colonial & cottage), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Rhode Island), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Stuffies and Clam Cakes, but get your taste buds ready for Apple Cider Donuts & Maple Glazed Ham
- New Hampshire housing costs are 3% more expensive than they are in Rhode Island
- Rent in New Hampshire is 5.47% more affordable than in Rhode Island
- Moving from Rhode Island to New Hampshire will cost on average between $1,000 - $4,000
- Our top recommended Rhode Island to New Hampshire movers is Fit 2 Move
Rhode Island to New Hampshire Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Rhode Island to New Hampshire
- High cost of living
- Limited natural landscapes
- Heavy traffic in cities
- State income tax
- Small area size
- Lower taxes
- Scenic mountains
- Less congestion
- No state income tax
- More spacious rural areas
- Less historical depth
- More dispersed populations
- No direct ocean access
- Fewer urban centers
- Fewer dining options
- Rich cultural history
- Close-knit communities
- Beautiful coastline
- More urban amenities
- Diverse food scene
Pros of moving from Rhode Island to New Hampshire
- Say goodbye to the high cost of living and hello to lower taxes
- Look forward to moving away from limited natural landscapes and moving to New Hampshire with scenic mountains
- Swap the heavy traffic in the cities of Rhode Island for less congestion in New Hampshire
- Get ready for no state income tax in New Hampshire
Cons of moving from Rhode Island to New Hampshire
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the rich cultural history in Rhode Island to live with less historical depth in New Hampshire
- You'll lose out on the pro of close-knit communities and have to settle for the con of more dispersed populations
- Time to bid farewell to the beautiful coastline and get used to no direct ocean access in New Hampshire
- Swap more urban amenities for fewer urban centers
Rhode Island vs. New Hampshire: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Rhode Island | New Hampshire |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Stuffies | Apple Cider Donuts |
Most popular meat dish | Clam Cakes | Maple Glazed Ham |
Most popular street food item | Hot Wieners | Lobster Rolls |
Most popular vegan food | Seitan Sandwich | Wild Mushroom Tofu Scramble |
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 New Hampshire, you will be trading the iconic Stuffies of Rhode Island for the equally delicious Apple Cider Donuts of New Hampshire. And while the locals in Rhode Island rave about their flavorful Clam Cakes and sumptuous Hot Wieners, New Hampshire residents know they have tasty Maple Glazed Ham and Lobster Rolls to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Seitan Sandwich they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Wild Mushroom Tofu Scramble of New Hampshire. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Rhode Island eateries like Olneyville New York System, Iggyβs Doughboys and Chowder House, and Al Forno. After the boxes are unpacked in New Hampshire, don't wait too long before making your way to New Hampshire's acclaimed eateries like The Common Man, Red Arrow Diner, and Moxy.
When comparing lifestyles, New Hampshire shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Rhode Island. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in New Hampshire compared to what you are used to in Rhode Island. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in New Hampshire.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Rhode Island and New Hampshire
Comparison | Rhode Island | New Hampshire |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial | Colonial & Cottage |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Waterfront Access, Historic Charm | Nature Views, Privacy |
- The Colonial architecture that Rhode Island is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cottage architecture typical of New Hampshire.
- Compared to Rhode Island's real estate listings that commonly reference waterfront access and historic charm, New Hampshire real estate listings often highlight features like nature views and privacy.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; New Hampshire is less walkable than Rhode Island.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; New Hampshire is less bike-friendly than Rhode Island.
- New Hampshire has less of an urban feel than Rhode Island.
- New Hampshire housing costs are 3% more expensive than they are in Rhode Island, with a median home price of $465,926 compared to Rhode Islandβs $451,868.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in New Hampshire have increased by 68% compared to a 55% increase in Rhode Island.
- Rent in New Hampshire is 5.47% more affordable than in Rhode Island.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Rhode Island and New Hampshire
Comparison | Rhode Island | New Hampshire |
---|---|---|
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, rare hurricanes | Snowstorms, rare hurricanes |
Air Quality | Good | Very Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 63Β°F | 80Β°F / 56Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 39Β°F / 20Β°F | 34Β°F / 15Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 47" | 43" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 34" | 60" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Rhode Island to New Hampshire. New Hampshire gets 2% fewer sunshine days than Rhode Island.
- New Hampshire has lower humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Rhode Island.
- Say goodbye to the possible storms and rare hurricanes in Rhode Island, but be on the lookout for potential snowstorms and rare hurricanes in New Hampshire.
- The average summer high temperature in New Hampshire is 2 degrees colder than in Rhode Island.
- The average winter lows are 5 degrees colder than they are in Rhode Island.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in New Hampshire. New Hampshire receives 4 fewer inches of rain compared to Rhode Island.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Rhode Island and New Hampshire
Comparison | Rhode Island | New Hampshire |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $81,854 | $89,992 |
Cost of Living Index | 123.3 | 116.8 |
State Income Tax | 3.75 | 0 |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.7 | 2.2 |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7 | 0 |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Education, Tourism | Technology, Healthcare, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | High |
Poverty | Average | Low |
Homelessness | Moderate | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in New Hampshire tend to earn about 10% more than those in Rhode Island
- The COLI in New Hampshire is 5% lower than what you are used to in Rhode Island
- Hooray, moving to NH means you'll no longer have state income taxes
- The affluence in New Hampshire is high compared to moderate affluence in Rhode Island
- The poverty level is low in New Hampshire compared to average poverty in Rhode Island
- In terms of homelessness, it is moderate in Rhode Island and low in New Hampshire
Political and Religious Climate in Rhode Island vs. New Hampshire
Comparison | Rhode Island | New Hampshire |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Leans Democratic | Mixed; swings between parties |
Local Politics | Community-oriented with a focus on local businesses | Independence-focused with a strong emphasis on personal freedom |
Religion | Predominantly Catholic | Less religiously affiliated; diverse |
- Rhode Island tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- New Hampshire, on the other hand, is often described as mixed and swings between parties
- New Hampshire's religious environment can be described as less religiously affiliated and diverse
- Rhode Island's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Catholic
Education Guide When Moving from Rhode Island to New Hampshire
Comparison | Rhode Island | New Hampshire |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Rhode Island Rhode Island College Brown University | University of New Hampshire Dartmouth College Southern New Hampshire University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Rockwell Elementary - Bristol Nayatt School - Barrington Hampden Meadows School - Barrington | Little Harbour School - Portsmouth Maude H. Trefethen School - New Castle Main Dunstable School - Nashua |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Barrington Middle School - Barrington Wickford Middle School - Wickford Gallagher Middle School - Smithfield | Rye Junior High School - Rye Hollis Brookline Middle School - Hollis Amherst Middle School - Amherst |
Top 3 High School Schools | Classical High School - Providence Barrington High School - Barrington East Greenwich High - East Greenwich | Phillips Exeter Academy - Exeter Bedford High School - Bedford Hanover High School - Hanover |
Top 3 private high schools | Moses Brown School - Providence The Wheeler School - Providence St. George's School - Middletown | Phillips Exeter Academy - Exeter St. Paul's School - Concord The Derryfield School - Manchester |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | The Wheeler School - Providence Moses Brown School - Providence Lincoln School - Providence | Phillips Exeter Academy - Exeter St. Paul's School - Concord The Derryfield School - Manchester |
Top 3 School Districts | Barrington School District East Greenwich Public Schools Lincoln School Department | Hanover School District Bedford School District Windham School District |
How Much Do Rhode Island to New Hampshire Movers Cost?
Moving 139 miles from Rhode Island to New Hampshire 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
- Expected Time To Complete: 5-10 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: First-Rate Moving, LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,089 | 300 ft3 | $3.63 |
1 Bedroom | $1,615 | 450 ft3 | $3.59 |
2 Bedrooms | $2,659 | 750 ft3 | $3.55 |
3 Bedrooms | $3,853 | 1100 ft3 | $3.50 |
4 Bedrooms | $5,536 | 1600 ft3 | $3.46 |
5+ Bedrooms | $6,152 | 1800 ft3 | $3.42 |
Top Rhode Island to New Hampshire Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Rhode Island to New Hampshire movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Fit 2 Move
Best moving company overall for Rhode Island to New Hampshire