Rhode Island to Wisconsin Moving Guide
Want help with the heavy lifting?
Updated August 20, 2025
Planning a 1,120 mile interstate move from Rhode Island to Wisconsin? This moving guide will help you compare living in Rhode Island vs Wisconsin across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like high housing costs vs lower home prices), food & health (like Calamari vs Cheese Curds), real estate & housing (colonial, victorian vs prairie & bungalow), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Rhode Island), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Calamari and Stuffies (Stuffed Clams), but get your taste buds ready for Cheese Curds & Bratwurst
- Wisconsin housing costs are 35% less expensive than they are in Rhode Island
- Rent in Wisconsin is 39.93% more affordable than in Rhode Island
- Moving from Rhode Island to Wisconsin will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Rhode Island to Wisconsin movers is Elite Movers

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

Elite Movers
Best moving company overall for Rhode Island to Wisconsin

MACS Moving and Storage

Two Men and a Truck
Rhode Island to Wisconsin Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Rhode Island to Wisconsin
- High housing costs
- Costly electricity rates
- Coastal storm risk
- Bridge tolls
- Limited land area
- Congested Providence traffic
- Few large lakes
- Higher car insurance
- Higher sales tax
- Smaller job market
- Limited big-league sports
- Expensive parking
- Lower home prices
- Cheaper utilities
- No hurricanes
- No toll roads
- More open space
- Easier commutes
- Thousands of lakes
- Lower auto premiums
- Lower sales tax
- Diverse industries
- NFL, NBA, MLB
- Ample parking
- No ocean coast
- Harsher, longer winters
- Hotter, stickier summers
- Longer in-state trips
- Less ocean seafood
- Limited intercity rail
- Far from East Coast
- More car-dependent
- No ocean surfing
- Fewer island getaways
- Ocean beaches nearby
- Milder winter temps
- Cool sea breezes
- Short statewide drives
- Fresh Atlantic seafood
- Northeast rail access
- Close to Boston
- Historic walkable towns
- Sailing and surfing
- Ferry to islands
Pros of moving from Rhode Island to Wisconsin
- Say goodbye to high housing costs and hello to lower home prices
- Look forward to moving away from costly electricity rates and moving to Wisconsin with cheaper utilities
- Swap the coastal storm risk of Rhode Island for no hurricanes in Wisconsin
- Get ready for no toll roads in Wisconsin
Cons of moving from Rhode Island to Wisconsin
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from ocean beaches nearby in Rhode Island to live with no ocean coast in Wisconsin
- You'll lose out on the pro of milder winter temperatures and have to settle for the con of harsher, longer winters
- Time to bid farewell to cool sea breezes and get used to hotter, stickier summers in Wisconsin
- Swap short statewide drives for longer in-state trips
Rhode Island vs. Wisconsin: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Rhode Island | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Calamari | Cheese Curds |
Most popular meat dish | Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) | Bratwurst |
Most popular street food item | Clam Cakes | Fried Cheese Curds |
Most popular vegan food | Seaweed salad | Beer-battered portobello mushrooms |
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 Wisconsin, you will be trading the iconic Calamari of Rhode Island for the equally delicious Cheese Curds of Wisconsin. And while the locals in Rhode Island rave about their flavorful Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) and sumptuous Clam Cakes, Wisconsin residents know they have tasty Bratwurst and Fried Cheese Curds 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 Beer-battered Portobello Mushrooms of Wisconsin. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Rhode Island eateries like Al Forno, The Duck and Bunny, and Los Andes. After the boxes are unpacked in Wisconsin, don't wait too long before making your way to Wisconsin's acclaimed eateries like AJ Bombers, Lakefront Brewery, and Grand Geneva Cafe.
When comparing lifestyles, Wisconsin shows less emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Rhode Island. Food truck fans will discover a less desirable selection in Wisconsin, compared to what you are used to in Rhode Island. Also, the overall foodie scene is less bustling in Wisconsin.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Rhode Island and Wisconsin
Comparison | Rhode Island | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Colonial, Victorian | Prairie & Bungalow |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Ocean views, historic details | Lake access, spacious yards |
- The Colonial and Victorian architecture that Rhode Island is known for will be replaced with the Prairie and Bungalow architecture typical of Wisconsin.
- Compared to Rhode Island's real estate listings that commonly reference ocean views and historic details, Wisconsin real estate listings often highlight features like lake access and spacious yards.
- You can keep your walking shoes packed away. Wisconsin is less walkable than Rhode Island.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Wisconsin is more bike-friendly than Rhode Island.
- Wisconsin has less of an urban feel than Rhode Island.
- Wisconsin housing costs are 35% less expensive than they are in Rhode Island, with a median home price of $294,909 compared to Rhode Islandβs $451,868.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Wisconsin have increased by 47% compared to a 55% increase in Rhode Island.
- Rent in Wisconsin is 39.93% more affordable than in Rhode Island.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Rhode Island and Wisconsin
Comparison | Rhode Island | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
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, Storms | Snowstorms, Tornadoes |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 63Β°F | 82Β°F / 60Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 40Β°F / 20Β°F | 28Β°F / 13Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 47" | 32" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 33" | 48" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Rhode Island to Wisconsin. Wisconsin gets 7% fewer sunshine days than Rhode Island.
- Wisconsin has higher humidity and a higher average UV index compared to Rhode Island.
- Say goodbye to the possible hurricanes and storms in Rhode Island, but be on the lookout for potential snowstorms and tornadoes in Wisconsin.
- The average summer high temperature in Wisconsin is the same as Rhode Island.
- The average winter lows are 7 degrees colder than they are in Rhode Island.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Wisconsin as it receives 15 fewer inches of rain compared to Rhode Island.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Rhode Island and Wisconsin
Comparison | Rhode Island | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $81,854 | $70,996 |
Cost of Living Index | 123.3 | 95.65 |
State Income Tax | 3.75% | 4.00% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.62% | 1.68% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 7.00% | 5.43% |
Top 3 Industries | Healthcare, Education, Manufacturing | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare |
Affluence | Moderate | Average |
Poverty | Low | Lower |
Homelessness | Low | Low |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Wisconsin tend to earn about 13% less than in Rhode Island
- The COLI in Wisconsin is 22% lower than what you are used to living in Rhode Island
- The state income tax in WI is 4.00% compared to 3.75% in RI
- The affluence in Wisconsin is average compared to moderate in Rhode Island
- The poverty level is lower in Wisconsin compared to low in Rhode Island
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Rhode Island and low in Wisconsin
Political and Religious Climate in Rhode Island vs. Wisconsin
Comparison | Rhode Island | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Democratic-leaning | Swing state |
Local Politics | Progressive on social issues | Mixture of conservative and liberal policies |
Religion | Largely Catholic | Mixed; Protestant and Catholic |
- Rhode Island tends to lean Democratic in its political climate
- Wisconsin, on the other hand, is often described as a swing state
- Wisconsin's religious environment can be described as mixed; Protestant and Catholic
- Rhode Island's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as largely Catholic
Education Guide When Moving from Rhode Island to Wisconsin
Comparison | Rhode Island | Wisconsin |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Rhode Island Kingston Rhode Island College Providence Brown University Providence | University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison Marquette University Milwaukee University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Milwaukee |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | East Greenwich School East Greenwich Nayatt School Barrington Rockwell School Bristol | Brookfield Academy Brookfield Elm Lawn Elementary School Middleton Crestwood Elementary Madison |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Barrington Middle School Barrington Cole Middle School East Greenwich Lincoln Middle School Lincoln | Velma Hamilton Middle School Madison Whitefish Bay Middle School Whitefish Bay North Middle School Menomonee Falls |
Top 3 High School Schools | Barrington High School Barrington Classical High School Providence East Greenwich High School East Greenwich | Brookfield East High School Brookfield Whitefish Bay High School Whitefish Bay Homestead High School Mequon |
Top 3 private high schools | Moses Brown School Providence Lincoln School Providence St. George's School Middletown | University School of Milwaukee Milwaukee Brookfield Academy Brookfield The Prairie School Racine |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Moses Brown School Providence The Wheeler School Providence St. Andrew's School Barrington | University School of Milwaukee Milwaukee Marquette University High School Milwaukee Madison Country Day School Waunakee |
Top 3 School Districts | Barrington Public Schools East Greenwich School District South Kingstown School District | Whitefish Bay School District Elmbrook School District Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District |
How Much Do Rhode Island to Wisconsin Movers Cost?
Moving 1,120 miles from Rhode Island to Wisconsin 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: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Above Average Moving LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,837 | 300 ft3 | $6.12 |
1 Bedroom | $2,734 | 450 ft3 | $6.07 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,519 | 750 ft3 | $6.02 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,572 | 1100 ft3 | $5.97 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,480 | 1600 ft3 | $5.92 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,575 | 1800 ft3 | $5.87 |