Things to know before moving from Indiana to Providence, RI

Cost of living: Indiana vs Providence, RI

Indiana Providence
Average rent cost $844 $2,200
Average home value $228,879 $398,785
Average income (per capita) $67,173 $69,956
Unemployment rate 4% 9%
State income tax 3% 6%
  • Rent is about 161% more expensive in Providence than in Indiana.
  • Home prices are about 74% higher in Providence than in Indiana.
  • The average income is about 4% higher in Providence than in Indiana.
  • Providence has a higher unemployment rate than Indiana by about 139%.
  • Income taxes are 90% higher in Providence than in Indiana.

How life is different in Providence from Indiana

Providence Indiana
Population 190,934 6,833,037
Political leaning Democratic 56-44 Republican 57-41
Summer high 83ºF 85ºF
Winter low 19ºF 19ºF
Annual rain 49" 43"
Annual snow 36" 22"
Crime index 49.84 19.72
  • The population of Providence is approximately 97% lower than the population of Indiana.
  • In the last presidential election, Providence voted Democratic and Indiana voted Republican.
  • The average high in the summertime in Providence is 83ºF and in Indiana, it’s 85ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Providence reaches the temperature of 19ºF and Indiana gets down to 19ºF.
  • You can expect about 49 inches of annual rainfall in Providence vs 43 inches of rainfall in Indiana.
  • In Providence, it snows about 36 inches annually vs 22 inches of snow in Indiana.
  • Providence has a higher crime rate than Indiana with a crime index of 49.84 vs 19.72.

Things to do in Providence

Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Providence.

Museums in Providencetoggle

  • Rhode Island School of Design Museum of Art
  • Providence Children's Museum
  • John Brown House Museum
  • Providence Art Club
  • Lippitt House Museum
  • Museum of Natural History and Planetarium
  • WaterFire Arts Center
  • Woods-Gerry Gallery

Parks in Providencetoggle

  • Water Place Park
  • Roger Williams Park
  • India Point Park
  • Roger Williams National Memorial
  • Roger Williams Park Botanical Center
  • Prospect Terrace
  • Providence River

Sports Teams in Providencetoggle

  • Providence Bruins (AHL)
  • Brown Bears (Ivy League)
  • Providence Friars (Big East)

Universities in Providencetoggle

  • Brown University
  • Johnson & Wales University Providence
  • Rhode Island School of Design
  • Providence College
  • Rhode Island College

Other considerations when moving to Providence, RI

  • Weather: June, September and August are the most pleasant months in Providence, while January and February are the least comfortable months.
  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
  • Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
  • State licensing: In Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission (RIPUC) is responsible for providing regulation and oversight of the moving and storage industry. The state maintains a database of licensed movers, though some information may not be current. To verify that the movers you’re considering are licensed, insured, and authorized to provide relocation services without the state, check the above link and call (401) 780-9700. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Rhode Island moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Rhode Island does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Rhode Island. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. In Rhode Island, movers often provide Released Value Protection at no additional cost, offering coverage at 60 cents per pound. For enhanced protection, discuss Full Value Protection with the moving company or explore third-party insurance options. Prioritize understanding coverage limits, potential extra costs, and reading reviews before choosing an insurance plan for your move.
  • Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

FAQ

How long does a move from Indiana to Providence take?

The time frame for a move from Indiana to Providence, RI, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.

Obviously, the further upstate you are in Indiana, the longer the drive time to Providence will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.

With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to Providence from Indiana can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.

How far in advance should I book movers when moving from Indiana to Providence?

Because of the 870-mile move, it’s best to book your move from Indiana to Providence as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.

What time of year is the cheapest to move to Providence, RI?

With the summer highs of 83ºF and the winter lows of 19ºF, most people move to Providence from Indiana during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Providence during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources