Wisconsin to Rhode Island Moving Guide
Updated June 12, 2025

Planning a 1,121 mile interstate move from Wisconsin to Rhode Island? This moving guide will help you compare living in Wisconsin vs Rhode Island across 7 important categories. Compare the pros & cons (like harsh winters vs milder climate), food & health (like Cheese curds vs Clam Cakes), real estate & housing (prairie and craftsman vs colonial and victorian), weather & wardrobe, cost of living & taxes (it's more expensive in Rhode Island), politics & religion, and education.
Key Takeaways:
- Say goodbye to Cheese curds and Bratwurst, but get your taste buds ready for Clam Cakes & Stuffies (Stuffed clams)
- Rhode Island housing costs are 53% more expensive than they are in Wisconsin
- Rent in Rhode Island is 66.48% more expensive than in Wisconsin
- Moving from Wisconsin to Rhode Island will cost on average between $2,000 - $6,500
- Our top recommended Wisconsin to Rhode Island movers is Elite Movers
Wisconsin to Rhode Island Moving Guide
Pros and Cons of Moving from Wisconsin to Rhode Island
- Harsh winters
- Rural isolation
- Limited ocean views
- Milder climate
- Coastal access
- Scenic coastlines
- Higher humidity
- Expensive housing
- Smaller land area
- Four seasons
- Low living costs
- Freshwater lakes
Pros of moving from Wisconsin to Rhode Island
- Say goodbye to harsh winters and hello to a milder climate
- Look forward to moving away from rural isolation and moving to Rhode Island with coastal access
- Swap the limited ocean views of Wisconsin for scenic coastlines in Rhode Island
Cons of moving from Wisconsin to Rhode Island
- Unfortunately, you'll be moving away from four seasons in Wisconsin to live with higher humidity in Rhode Island
- You'll lose out on the pro of low living costs and have to settle for the con of expensive housing
- Time to bid farewell to freshwater lakes and get used to a smaller land area in Rhode Island
Wisconsin vs. Rhode Island: Comparing the Local Foodie Scene
Comparison | Wisconsin | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Most iconic local food item | Cheese curds | Clam Cakes |
Most popular meat dish | Bratwurst | Stuffies (Stuffed clams) |
Most popular street food item | Fried cheese curds | Hot Weiners |
Most popular vegan food | Beer-battered cauliflower | Seaweed salad |
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 Wisconsin to Rhode Island, you will be trading the iconic cheese curds of Wisconsin for the equally delicious clam cakes of Rhode Island. And while the locals in Wisconsin rave about their flavorful bratwurst and sumptuous fried cheese curds, Rhode Island residents know they have tasty stuffies (stuffed clams) and hot weiners to savor. While the vegan transplants might be saying goodbye to the beer-battered cauliflower they've grown to love, they can get ready for the seaweed salad of Rhode Island. In the days before your move, make sure you get one final trip to iconic Wisconsin eateries like L'Etoile, The Old Fashioned, and Mader's. After the boxes are unpacked in Rhode Island, don't wait too long before making your way to Rhode Island's acclaimed eateries like Al Forno, Providence Oyster Bar, and Iggy's Doughboys.
When comparing lifestyles, Rhode Island shows a greater emphasis on fitness and health consciousness than Wisconsin. Food truck fans will discover a greater selection in Rhode Island compared to what you are used to in Wisconsin. Also, the overall foodie scene is more bustling in Rhode Island.
Real Estate & Lifestyle Differences between Wisconsin and Rhode Island
Comparison | Wisconsin | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Typical Architecture Style | Prairie and Craftsman | Colonial and Victorian |
Walkability | ππππππππππ | ππππππππππ |
Bikeability | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² | π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π²π² |
Urban Lifestyle | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ | ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈ |
Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Large yards, garages | Coastal views, historic details |
- The Prairie and Craftsman architecture that Wisconsin is known for will be replaced with the Colonial and Victorian architecture typical of Rhode Island.
- Compared to Wisconsin's real estate listings that commonly reference large yards and garages, Rhode Island real estate listings often highlight features like coastal views and historic details.
- Make sure you unpack those walking shoes. Rhode Island is more walkable than Wisconsin.
- Make sure the movers take care of your bike. Rhode Island is more bike-friendly than Wisconsin.
- Rhode Island has more of an urban feel than Wisconsin.
- Rhode Island housing costs are 53% more expensive than they are in Wisconsin, with a median home price of $451,868 compared to Wisconsinβs $294,909.
- Over the prior 5 years, home prices in Rhode Island have increased by 55% compared to a 47% increase in Wisconsin.
- Rent in Rhode Island is 66.48% more expensive than in Wisconsin.
Your Move, Your Forecast: Key Weather Differences between Wisconsin and Rhode Island
Comparison | Wisconsin | 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, Snowstorms | Hurricanes, Flooding |
Air Quality | Good | Good to Moderate |
Average Summer High/Low (Β°F) | 82Β°F / 62Β°F | 83Β°F / 63Β°F |
Average Winter High/Low (Β°F) | 28Β°F / 13Β°F | 39Β°F / 23Β°F |
Annual Rainfall (Inches) | 32 | 47 |
Annual Snowfall (Inches) | 48 | 33 |
- Break out the sunglasses for your move from Wisconsin to Rhode Island. Rhode Island gets 7% more sunshine days than Wisconsin.
- Rhode Island has lower humidity and a similar average UV index compared to Wisconsin.
- Say goodbye to the possible tornadoes and snowstorms in Wisconsin, but be on the lookout for potential hurricanes and flooding in Rhode Island.
- The average summer high temperature in Rhode Island is 1 degree warmer than Wisconsin.
- The average winter lows are 10 degrees warmer than they are in Wisconsin.
- Your umbrella might be more overworked in Rhode Island. Rhode Island receives 15 more inches of rain compared to Wisconsin.
Financial & Community Snapshot: Wisconsin and Rhode Island
Comparison | Wisconsin | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Avg. Household Income | $70,996 | $81,854 |
Cost of Living Index | 95.65 | 123.3 |
State Income Tax | 3.54% - 7.65% | 3.75% - 5.99% |
Avg. Property Tax | 1.73% | 1.53% |
Avg. Sales Tax | 5.46% | 7.00% |
Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare | Healthcare, Tourism, Education |
Affluence | Moderate | Higher |
Poverty | Moderate | Lower |
Homelessness | Low | Higher |
- When it comes to your monthly paycheck, residents in Rhode Island tend to earn about 15% more than in Wisconsin
- The COLI in Rhode Island will be 29% higher than what you are used to living in Wisconsin
- The state income tax in RI is 3.75% - 5.99% compared to 3.54% - 7.65% in WI
- The affluence in Rhode Island is higher compared to moderate affluence in Wisconsin
- The poverty level is lower in Rhode Island compared to moderate poverty in Wisconsin
- In terms of homelessness, it is low in Wisconsin and higher in Rhode Island
Political and Religious Climate in Wisconsin vs. Rhode Island
Comparison | Wisconsin | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Political Make-up | Swing state, mixed | Lean Democratic |
Local Politics | Moderate, varies by region | Liberal, especially in urban areas |
Religion | Christianity predominant, diverse religious communities | Christianity predominant, with Catholicism quite influential |
- Wisconsin tends to lean as a swing state in its political climate
- Rhode Island, on the other hand, is often described as leaning Democratic
- Rhode Island's religious environment can be described as predominantly Christianity, with Catholicism quite influential
- Wisconsin's residents' religious practices can be generally categorized as predominantly Christianity with diverse religious communities
Education Guide When Moving from Wisconsin to Rhode Island
Comparison | Wisconsin | Rhode Island |
---|---|---|
Where most Seniors go to college (top 3) | University of Wisconsin-Madison University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Marquette University | Brown University University of Rhode Island Rhode Island School of Design |
Top 3 Elementary Schools | Swan School (Madison) Lakeview Elementary (Neenah) Roosevelt Elementary (Kenosha) | Rockwell Elementary (Bristol) Community School (Cumberland) Nayatt School (Barrington) |
Top 3 Middle Schools | Longfellow Middle (Wauwatosa) Pilgrim Park Middle School (Brookfield) Glacier Creek Middle (Cross Plains) | Barrington Middle School (Barrington) Wickford Middle School (North Kingstown) Portsmouth Middle School (Portsmouth) |
Top 3 High School Schools | Brookfield East High School (Brookfield) Madison West High School (Madison) Homestead High School (Mequon) | Classical High School (Providence) Barrington High School (Barrington) East Greenwich High (East Greenwich) |
Top 3 private high schools | University School of Milwaukee (Milwaukee) Marquette University High (Milwaukee) Wayland Academy (Beaver Dam) | Moses Brown School (Providence) St. George's School (Middletown) Lincoln School (Providence) |
Top 3 private K-12 schools | University School of Milwaukee (Milwaukee) Prairie School (Racine) Brookfield Academy (Brookfield) | Moses Brown School (Providence) The Wheeler School (Providence) St. Andrew's School (Barrington) |
Top 3 School Districts | Elmbrook School District Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District Waunakee Community School District | Barrington Public Schools East Greenwich Public Schools Cumberland School District |
How Much Do Wisconsin to Rhode Island Movers Cost?
Moving 1,121 miles from Wisconsin 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: 2-2 days
- Most Affordable Recommended Movers: Above Average Moving LLC
HOME SIZE | MOVING COST | VOLUME OF PACKED ITEMS (FT3) | $/FT3 |
---|---|---|---|
Studio | $1,838 | 300 ft3 | $6.13 |
1 Bedroom | $2,735 | 450 ft3 | $6.08 |
2 Bedrooms | $4,520 | 750 ft3 | $6.03 |
3 Bedrooms | $6,574 | 1100 ft3 | $5.98 |
4 Bedrooms | $9,483 | 1600 ft3 | $5.93 |
5+ Bedrooms | $10,578 | 1800 ft3 | $5.88 |
Top Wisconsin to Rhode Island Movers
Read our in-depth analysis of the best Wisconsin to Rhode Island movers with detailed rankings, cost breakdowns, and reviews.