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Rhode Island to New Hampshire Moving Guide

Updated June 7, 2025

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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

ConsRhode Island iconRhode Island
  • High cost of living
  • Limited natural landscapes
  • Heavy traffic in cities
  • State income tax
  • Small area size
ProsNew Hampshire iconNew Hampshire
  • Lower taxes
  • Scenic mountains
  • Less congestion
  • No state income tax
  • More spacious rural areas

New Hampshire iconNew Hampshire
  • Less historical depth
  • More dispersed populations
  • No direct ocean access
  • Fewer urban centers
  • Fewer dining options
Rhode Island iconRhode Island
  • 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

ComparisonRhode IslandNew Hampshire
Most iconic local food itemStuffiesApple Cider Donuts
Most popular meat dishClam CakesMaple Glazed Ham
Most popular street food itemHot WienersLobster Rolls
Most popular vegan foodSeitan SandwichWild Mushroom Tofu Scramble
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state
  • Olneyville New York System
  • Iggy’s Doughboys & Chowder House
  • Al Forno
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 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, Iggy’s 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

ComparisonRhode IslandNew Hampshire
Typical Architecture StyleColonialColonial & Cottage
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 Access, Historic CharmNature 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 Island’s $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

ComparisonRhode IslandNew Hampshire
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 DisastersStorms, rare hurricanesSnowstorms, rare hurricanes
Air QualityGoodVery Good
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F)82Β°F / 63Β°F80Β°F / 56Β°F
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F)39Β°F / 20Β°F34Β°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

ComparisonRhode IslandNew Hampshire
Avg. Household Income$81,854$89,992
Cost of Living Index123.3116.8
State Income Tax3.750
Avg. Property Tax1.72.2
Avg. Sales Tax70
Top 3 IndustriesHealthcare, Education, TourismTechnology, Healthcare, Tourism
AffluenceModerateHigh
PovertyAverageLow
HomelessnessModerateLow
  • 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

ComparisonRhode IslandNew Hampshire
Political Make-upLeans DemocraticMixed; swings between parties
Local PoliticsCommunity-oriented with a focus on local businessesIndependence-focused with a strong emphasis on personal freedom
ReligionPredominantly CatholicLess 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

ComparisonRhode IslandNew 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 SchoolsRockwell 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 SchoolsBarrington 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 SchoolsClassical 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 schoolsMoses 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 schoolsThe 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 DistrictsBarrington 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 - $4,000
  • Expected Time To Complete: 5-10 days
  • Most Affordable Recommended Movers: First-Rate Moving, LLC
HOME SIZEMOVING COSTVOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3)$/FT3
Studio$1,089300 ft3$3.63
1 Bedroom$1,615450 ft3$3.59
2 Bedrooms$2,659750 ft3$3.55
3 Bedrooms$3,8531100 ft3$3.50
4 Bedrooms$5,5361600 ft3$3.46
5+ Bedrooms$6,1521800 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.

TOP PICK
Fit 2 Move featured image

Fit 2 Move

Best moving company overall for Rhode Island to New Hampshire

9.28/10
ExceptionalView details
RUNNER-UP
Bridges Bros Movers featured image

Bridges Bros Movers

8.99/10
ALSO GREAT
Two Men and a Truck featured image

Two Men and a Truck

8.29/10
Very GoodView details
Top Rhode Island to New Hampshire Routes

Providence to New Hampshire