Tennessee to Rhode Island Moving Guide
Updated June 7, 2025

Planning a 1,083 mile interstate move from Tennessee to Rhode Island? This moving guide will help you compare living in Tennessee vs Rhode Island across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like hot, humid summers vs mild, coastal climate), food & health (like Barbecue Pork vs Clam Cakes), real estate & housing (traditional, 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 Barbecue Pork and Hot Chicken, but get your taste buds ready for Clam Cakes & Stuffies (Stuffed Clams)
- Rhode Island housing costs are 42% more expensive than they are in Tennessee
- Rent in Rhode Island is 23.82% more expensive than in Tennessee
- Moving from Tennessee to Rhode Island will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Tennessee to Rhode Island movers is Alpha Moving & Storage LLC
Tennessee to Rhode Island Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Tennessee to Rhode Island
- Hot, humid summers
- Limited public transit
- Few coastal activities
- Limited seafood options
- Mild, coastal climate
- Comprehensive transit system
- Abundant beaches
- Fresh seafood cuisine
- Higher living expenses
- Cold, snowy winters
- Denser urban environment
- Lacks rural atmosphere
- Low cost of living
- Warm year-round weather
- Spacious landscapes
- Countryside charm
Pros of moving from Tennessee to Rhode Island
- Say goodbye to hot, humid summers and hello to a mild, coastal climate
- Look forward to moving away from limited public transit and moving to Rhode Island with a comprehensive transit system
- Swap the few coastal activities of Tennessee for abundant beaches in Rhode Island
- Get ready for fresh seafood cuisine in Rhode Island
Cons of moving from Tennessee to Rhode Island
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from the low cost of living in Tennessee to live with higher living expenses in Rhode Island
- You'll lose out on the pro of warm year-round weather and have to settle with the con of cold, snowy winters
- Time to bid farewell to spacious landscapes and get used to a denser urban environment in Rhode Island
- Swap countryside charm for a lack of rural atmosphere
Tennessee vs. Rhode Island: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Tennessee | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Barbecue Pork | Clam Cakes |
Most popular meat dish | Hot Chicken | Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) |
Most popular street food item | BBQ Nachos | Lobster Roll |
Most popular vegan food | BBQ Jackfruit | Seitan Sandwich |
Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the state |
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Fitness/Health Conscientiousness (out of 10) | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ | πͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺπͺ |
Abundance of Food Trucks (out of 10) | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Foodie Scene (out of 10) | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ | π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄π΄ |
Vegan Friendly (out of 10) | 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 Tennessee to Rhode Island, you will be trading the iconic Barbecue Pork of Tennessee for the equally delicious Clam Cakes of Rhode Island. And while the locals in Tennessee rave about their flavorful Hot Chicken and sumptuous BBQ Nachos, Rhode Island residents know they have tasty Stuffies (Stuffed Clams) and Lobster Roll to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the BBQ Jackfruit they've grown to love, they can get ready for the Seitan Sandwich of Rhode Island. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Tennessee eateries like Central BBQ, Prince's Hot Chicken, and The Loveless Cafe. After the boxes are unpacked in Rhode Island, don't wait too long before making your way to Rhode Island's acclaimed eateries like George's of Galilee, Flo's Clam Shack, and Al Forno.
When comparing lifestyles, Rhode Island shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Tennessee. Food truck fans will discover a similar selection in Rhode Island, compared to what you are used to in Tennessee. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Rhode Island.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Tennessee and Rhode Island
Comparison | Tennessee | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Traditional, Colonial | Colonial, Cottage |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Spacious lots, Scenic views | Coastal access, Historic homes |
- The Traditional and Colonial architecture that Tennessee is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Cottage architecture typical of Rhode Island.
- Compared to Tennessee's real estate listings that commonly reference spacious lots and scenic views, Rhode Island real estate listings often highlight features like coastal access and historic homes.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Rhode Island is more walkable than Tennessee.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Rhode Island is more bike-friendly than Tennessee.
- Rhode Island has more of an urban feel than Tennessee.
- Rhode Island housing costs are 42% more expensive than they are in Tennessee, with a median home price of $451,868 compared to Tennesseeβs $317,482.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Rhode Island have increased by 55% compared to a 63% increase in Tennessee.
- Rent in Rhode Island is 23.82% more expensive than in Tennessee.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Tennessee and Rhode Island
Comparison | Tennessee | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
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 | Tornadoes, Storms | Blizzards, Coastal Storms |
Air Quality | Good to Moderate | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 89Β°F / 67Β°F | 82Β°F / 63Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 49Β°F / 30Β°F | 40Β°F / 20Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 54" | 47" |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 5" | 33.8" |
- The shades won't be used as much for your move from Tennessee to Rhode Island. Rhode Island gets 2% fewer sunshine days than Tennessee.
- Rhode Island has higher humidity and a lower average UV index compared to Tennessee.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and storms in Tennessee, but be on the lookout for potential blizzards and coastal storms in Rhode Island.
- Get ready for colder summers. The average summer high temperature in Rhode Island is 7 degrees colder than Tennessee.
- The average winter lows are 10 degrees colder than they are in Tennessee.
- Your umbrella might be neglected in Rhode Island. Rhode Island receives 7 fewer inches of rain compared to Tennessee.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Tennessee and Rhode Island
Comparison | Tennessee | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $65,254 | $81,854 |
Cost of Living Index | 88.9 | 123.3 |
State Income Tax | 0% | 3.75% |
Avg. Property Tax | 0.67% | 1.35% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 9.55% | 7% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture | Healthcare, Education, Tourism |
Affluence | Moderate | Higher |
Poverty | Moderate | Lower |
Homelessness | Notable | Less Prominent |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Rhode Island tend to earn about 25% more than in Tennessee
- The COLI in Rhode Island will be 39% higher than what you are used to living in Tennessee
- Bummer... By moving from TN to RI, you'll now have a state income tax of 3.75%
- The affluence in Rhode Island is higher compared to moderate affluence in Tennessee
- The poverty level is lower in Rhode Island compared to moderate poverty in Tennessee
- In terms of homelessness, it is notable in Tennessee and less prominent in Rhode Island
Political and Religious Climate in Tennessee vs. Rhode Island
Comparison | Tennessee | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Conservative, Republican-leaning | Liberal, Democrat-leaning |
Local Politics | State government has a conservative tilt | State government has a liberal tilt |
Religion | Evangelical Protestant, Baptist prominent | Catholic predominant |
- Tennessee tends to lean conservative, Republican-leaning in its political climate
- Rhode Island, on the other hand, is often described as Liberal, Democrat-leaning
- Rhode Island's religious environment can be described as Catholic predominant
- Tennessee's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as evangelical Protestant, Baptist prominent
Education Guide When Moving from Tennessee to Rhode Island
Comparison | Tennessee | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Tennessee Vanderbilt University Tennessee State University | Brown University University of Rhode Island Rhode Island School of Design |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Lipscomb Elementary (Brentwood) Percy Priest Elementary (Nashville) Clovercroft Elementary (Franklin) | Rockwell Elementary (Bristol) Nayatt School (Barrington) Community School (Cumberland) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Brentwood Middle (Brentwood) Woodland Middle (Brentwood) Merrol Hyde Magnet School (Hendersonville) | Barrington Middle (Barrington) Wickford Middle (North Kingstown) Portsmouth Middle (Portsmouth) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet (Nashville) Martin Luther King Jr. Academic Magnet (Nashville) Brentwood High (Brentwood) | Classical High School (Providence) Barrington High School (Barrington) East Greenwich High (East Greenwich) |
Top 3 private high schools | Baylor School (Chattanooga) Montgomery Bell Academy (Nashville) Harpeth Hall School (Nashville) | Moses Brown School (Providence) Wheeler School (Providence) St. George's School (Middletown) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | Franklin Road Academy (Nashville) Knox School (Knoxville) University School of Nashville (Nashville) | Lincoln School (Providence) Providence Country Day School (East Providence) St. Michael's Country Day School (Newport) |
Top 3 School Districts | Williamson County Schools Metro Nashville Public Schools Maryville City Schools | Barrington Public Schools East Greenwich Public Schools Narragansett School System |
How Much Do Tennessee to Rhode Island Movers Cost?
Moving 1,083 miles from Tennessee to Rhode Island 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 | $1,816 | 300 ft3 | $6.05 |
1 Bedroom | $2,702 | 450 ft3 | $6.00 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,466 | 750 ft3 | $5.95 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,495 | 1100 ft3 | $5.90 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,368 | 1600 ft3 | $5.85 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,449 | 1800 ft3 | $5.80 |
Top Tennessee to Rhode Island Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Tennessee to Rhode Island movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.

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