Rhode Island to Tennessee Moving Guide
Updated June 23, 2025

Planning a 1,084 mile interstate move from Rhode Island to Tennessee? This moving guide will help you compare living in Rhode Island vs Tennessee across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs mild winters), food & health (like Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) vs Barbecue Ribs), real estate & housing (colonial, victorian vs colonial revival, craftsman), 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 Barbecue Ribs & Pulled Pork
- Tennessee housing costs are 30% less expensive than they are in Rhode Island
- Rent in Tennessee is 19.24% more affordable than in Rhode Island
- Moving from Rhode Island to Tennessee will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Rhode Island to Tennessee movers is Alpha Moving & Storage LLC
Rhode Island to Tennessee Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Rhode Island to Tennessee
- Harsh winters
- High cost of living
- Limited job opportunities
- Small state size
- Dense population
- Mild winters
- Lower cost of living
- Growing job market
- Vast landscapes
- More open spaces
- No coastline
- Less historical sites
- Fewer close-knit areas
- Less diversity
- Different local cuisine
- Coastal views
- Rich history
- Close-knit communities
- Cultural diversity
- Seafood cuisine
Pros of moving from Rhode Island to Tennessee
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to mild winters
- Look forward to moving away from the high cost of living and moving to Tennessee with the lower cost of living
- Swap the limited job opportunities of Rhode Island for the growing job market in Tennessee
- Get ready for vast landscapes in Tennessee
Cons of moving from Rhode Island to Tennessee
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from coastal views in Rhode Island to live with no coastline in Tennessee
- You'll lose out on the pro of rich history and have to settle for the con of fewer historical sites
- Time to bid farewell to close-knit communities and get used to fewer close-knit areas in Tennessee
- Swap cultural diversity for less diversity
Rhode Island vs. Tennessee: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Rhode Island | Tennessee |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) | Barbecue Ribs |
Most popular meat dish | Clam Cakes | Pulled Pork |
Most popular street food item | Hot Wieners | Smoked Sausage |
Most popular vegan food | Seitan Stew | BBQ Jackfruit |
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 Tennessee, you will be trading the iconic Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) of Rhode Island for the equally delicious Barbecue Ribs of Tennessee. And while the locals in Rhode Island rave about their flavorful Clam Cakes and sumptuous Hot Wieners, Tennessee residents know they have tasty Pulled Pork and Smoked Sausage to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the Seitan Stew they've grown to love, they can get ready for the BBQ Jackfruit of Tennessee. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Rhode Island eateries like Flotsam Seafood, Landmark Wichery, and Harbor Light Dining. After the boxes are unpacked in Tennessee, don't wait too long before making your way to Tennessee's acclaimed eateries like MoonShine Grill, Southern Comfort Dine, and Riverside BBQ.
When comparing lifestyles, Tennessee shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Rhode Island. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Tennessee, compared to what you are used to in Rhode Island. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Tennessee.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Rhode Island and Tennessee
Comparison | Rhode Island | Tennessee |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Victorian | Colonial Revival, Craftsman |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Close to water, Historic charm | Spacious lots, Scenic views |
- The Colonial and Victorian architecture that Rhode Island is known for will be replaced with the Colonial Revival and Craftsman architecture typical of Tennessee.
- Compared to Rhode Island's real estate listings that commonly reference proximity to water and historic charm, Tennessee real estate listings often highlight features like spacious lots and scenic views.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away; Tennessee is less walkable than Rhode Island.
- You might want to think twice before moving your bike; Tennessee is less bike-friendly than Rhode Island.
- Tennessee has less of an urban feel than Rhode Island.
- Tennessee housing costs are 30% less expensive than they are in Rhode Island, with a median home price of $317,482 compared to Rhode Islandβs $451,868.
- Over the past 5 years, home prices in Tennessee have increased by 63% compared to a 55% increase in Rhode Island.
- Rent in Tennessee is 19.24% more affordable than in Rhode Island.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Rhode Island and Tennessee
Comparison | Rhode Island | Tennessee |
---|---|---|
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 | Hurricanes, Blizzards | Tornadoes, Floods |
Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 63Β°F | 89Β°F / 68Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 39Β°F / 23Β°F | 49Β°F / 30Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 47" | 53" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 35" | 6" |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Rhode Island to Tennessee. Tennessee gets 2% more sunshine days than Rhode Island.
- Tennessee has lower humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Rhode Island.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and blizzards in Rhode Island, but be on the lookout for potential tornadoes and floods in Tennessee.
- Get ready for warmer summers. The average summer high temperature in Tennessee is 7 degrees warmer than in Rhode Island.
- The average winter lows are 7 degrees warmer than they are in Rhode Island.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Tennessee. Tennessee receives 6 more inches of rain compared to Rhode Island.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Rhode Island and Tennessee
Comparison | Rhode Island | Tennessee |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $81,854 | $65,254 |
Cost of Living Index | 123.3 | 88.9 |
State Income Tax | 3.75% | 0% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.63% | 0.64% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7% | 9.55% |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Education, Manufacturing | Automotive, Agriculture, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | Varied |
Poverty | Moderate | Higher |
Homelessness | Low | Higher |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Tennessee tend to earn about 20% less than those in Rhode Island
- The COLI in Tennessee will be 28% lower than what you are used to living in Rhode Island
- Hooray, moving to TN means you'll no longer have state income taxes
- The affluence in Tennessee is varied compared to moderate affluence in Rhode Island
- The poverty level is higher in Tennessee compared to moderate poverty in Rhode Island
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Rhode Island and higher in Tennessee
Political and Religious Climate in Rhode Island vs. Tennessee
Comparison | Rhode Island | Tennessee |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Primarily Democratic | Primarily Republican |
Local Politics | Liberal | Conservative |
Religion | Majority Catholic | Majority Protestant |
- Rhode Island tends to lean primarily Democratic in its political climate
- Tennessee, on the other hand, is often described as primarily Republican
- Tennessee's religious environment can be described as majority Protestant
- Rhode Island's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as majority Catholic
Education Guide When Moving from Rhode Island to Tennessee
Comparison | Rhode Island | Tennessee |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Rhode Island Rhode Island College Brown University | University of Tennessee Vanderbilt University Tennessee State University |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Rockwell Elementary School (Bristol) Nayatt School (Barrington) Community School (Cumberland) | Lockeland Design Center (Nashville) New Hope Christian Academy (Memphis) Trinity Elementary (Franklin) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Barrington Middle School (Barrington) Wickford Middle School (North Kingstown) Portsmouth Middle School (Portsmouth) | Meigs Magnet Middle School (Nashville) Brentwood Middle School (Brentwood) Houston Middle School (Germantown) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Classical High School (Providence) Barrington High School (Barrington) East Greenwich High School (East Greenwich) | Hume-Fogg Academic High School (Nashville) Central Magnet School (Murfreesboro) Brentwood High School (Brentwood) |
Top 3 private high schools | Moses Brown School (Providence) The Wheeler School (Providence) St. George's School (Middletown) | Baylor School (Chattanooga) Montgomery Bell Academy (Nashville) Harpeth Hall School (Nashville) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Lincoln School (Providence) The Wheeler School (Providence) Rocky Hill Country Day School (East Greenwich) | University School of Nashville (Nashville) The Webb School (Bell Buckle) The McCallie School (Chattanooga) |
Top 3 School Districts | Barrington School District East Greenwich Public Schools Portsmouth School District | Williamson County Schools Maryville City Schools Oak Ridge School District |
How Much Do Rhode Island to Tennessee Movers Cost?
Moving 1,084 miles from Rhode Island to Tennessee will typically cost between $2,500 and $6,500 to hire full service movers. See the chart below for a detailed breakdown by home size.
- Expected Range: $2,500 - $6,500
- Expected Time To Complete: 2-4.5 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Rice's Professional Moving Service
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,817 | 300 ft3 | $6.06 |
1 Bedroom | $2,703 | 450 ft3 | $6.01 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,468 | 750 ft3 | $5.96 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,497 | 1100 ft3 | $5.91 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,371 | 1600 ft3 | $5.86 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,452 | 1800 ft3 | $5.81 |
Top Rhode Island to Tennessee Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Rhode Island to Tennessee movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

Alpha Moving & Storage LLC
Best moving company overall for Rhode Island to Tennessee