Cost of Living in Providence, RI
Providence-Warwick, RI-MA — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.
Salary comparison calculator
What would you need to earn in Providence, RI to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?
How expensive is Providence, RI?
With a price level of 101.8 (U.S. average = 100), Providence, RI is close to the national average. In detail, housing costs run 4% above average; everyday goods are 3% below average; utilities run 49% above average; other services such as healthcare and dining run 2% above average. The biggest difference from the national average is in utilities.
Prices in Providence, RI vs. the U.S. average
| Category | Index (U.S. = 100) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 101.8 | +1.8% |
| Housing | 103.9 | +3.9% |
| Goods | 97.1 | −2.9% |
| Utilities | 148.8 | +48.8% |
| Other services | 102.3 | +2.3% |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rent in Providence, RI
| Unit | Monthly rent | Income needed (30% rule) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,345 | $53,800/yr |
| 1 bedroom | $1,423 | $56,920/yr |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,774 | $70,960/yr |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,156 | $86,240/yr |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,545 | $101,800/yr |
HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.
Salary needed to live in Providence, RI
To keep the same standard of living as in an average-priced U.S. city, you would need to earn roughly:
| Salary in an average U.S. city | Equivalent in Providence, RI | Take-home here |
|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $40,700 | $33,973 |
| $60,000 | $61,100 | $49,599 |
| $80,000 | $81,400 | $63,659 |
| $100,000 | $101,800 | $77,213 |
| $150,000 | $152,700 | $109,985 |
Scaled by the BEA price level (pre-tax). Take-home: single filer, Rhode Island 2026 taxes. For a tax-aware comparison with a specific city, use the calculator above.
A monthly budget on the median wage
A single worker earning Providence, RI's median wage of $53,680 takes home about $3,660 a month. A typical one-bedroom rents for $1,423, which is 39% of take-home pay — above the 30% guideline that financial planners suggest. That leaves about $2,237 a month for everything else.
Take-home pay in Providence, RI
- Federal income tax$4,262
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,328
- Medicare (1.45%)$778
- Rhode Island income tax$1,396
- Take-home pay$43,916
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.75% state
Highest-paying jobs in Providence, RI
*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.
Pay and living costs in Rhode Island cities
Half of Rhode Island’s 501,340 workers earn less than $56,780 a year and half earn more; the middle 50% earn $39,780–$85,200 (BLS, May 2025).
| Metro area | Median pay | Price level | 1-BR rent | Rent share | Left after rent / mo | Buying power* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providence, RI | $53,680 | 101.8 | $1,423 | 39% | $2,237 | $43,151 |
*Yearly take-home pay (on each metro’s median wage, single filer) in U.S.-average dollars. Price level: BEA RPP 2024 (U.S. = 100). Rent: HUD FY2026 one-bedroom fair market rent.
Providence, RI vs. similar-size cities
| Metro area | Price level | 1-BR rent | Median wage | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providence, RI | 101.8 | $1,423 | $53,680 | 714,120 |
| Louisville, KY | 93.1 | $1,026 | $48,370 | 685,190 |
| Raleigh, NC | 98.2 | $1,596 | $51,990 | 743,120 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 90.4 | $1,002 | $47,230 | 677,680 |
| Virginia Beach, VA | 97.9 | $1,508 | $49,430 | 763,060 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 99.5 | $1,374 | $48,830 | 765,930 |
| Richmond, VA | 97.9 | $1,505 | $51,460 | 660,350 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Providence, RI expensive to live in?
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, overall prices in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area are 101.8% of the U.S. average, with housing at 103.9%. It is the #59 most expensive of 387 metro areas we track.
What salary do you need to live in Providence, RI?
To match the buying power of a $60,000 salary in an average-priced U.S. city you would need about $61,064 in Providence, RI (before tax differences). The median wage across all jobs here is $53,680.
Can you afford Providence, RI on the median wage?
A single worker on the $53,680 median wage takes home about $3,660 a month after 2026 taxes; a one-bedroom at $1,423 would take 39% of that.
How much is rent in Providence, RI?
HUD’s FY2026 fair market rents for Providence, RI are $1,345 for a studio, $1,423 for one bedroom, $1,774 for two bedrooms and $2,156 for three bedrooms, including utilities.
Top salaries by field in Providence, RI
Management Occupations
- Financial Manager — $167,570
- Medical and Health Services Manager — $119,260
- General and Operations Manager — $110,360
Business and Financial Operations Occupations
- Project Management Specialist — $104,510
- Management Analyst — $100,360
- Accountant and Auditor — $95,020
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $84,990
- Buyer and Purchasing Agent — $84,590
- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $83,960
- Human Resources Specialist — $76,930
Computer and Mathematical Occupations
- Software Developer — $130,690
Community and Social Service Occupations
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers — $70,900
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors — $59,120
- Social and Human Service Assistant — $47,440
Legal Occupations
- Lawyer — $133,000
- Paralegal and Legal Assistant — $57,100
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $92,110
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $89,450
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $86,720
- Substitute Teachers, Short-Term — $45,510
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $38,060
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education — $37,900
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
- Registered Nurse — $99,880
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $78,990
Healthcare Support Occupations
- Medical Assistant — $47,020
- Nursing Assistant — $46,330
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $40,890
Protective Service Occupations
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $76,850
- Firefighter — $66,150
- Security Guard — $38,120
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $46,640
- Cooks, Restaurant — $37,460
- Food Preparation Worker — $36,250
- Waiter and Waitress — $35,750
- Bartender — $35,680
- Dishwasher — $34,640
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $33,700
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $31,200
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker — $45,250
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $38,160
- Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner — $37,390
Personal Care and Service Occupations
- Childcare Worker — $37,230
Sales and Related Occupations
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $78,480
- First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $57,680
- Retail Salesperson — $35,230
- Cashier — $34,540
Office and Administrative Support Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $74,470
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks — $54,630
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive — $51,800
- Office Clerks, General — $47,450
- Customer Service Representative — $47,170
- Medical Secretary and Administrative Assistant — $46,860
- Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks — $45,850
- Receptionist and Information Clerk — $41,720
Construction and Extraction Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $97,560
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — $79,820
- Electrician — $73,980
- Carpenter — $61,910
- Construction Laborer — $59,280
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations
- Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic — $51,970
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $50,690
Production Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Production and Operating Workers — $78,680
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers — $52,800
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers — $49,790
- Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator — $40,720
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors — $70,170
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $60,610
- Bus Drivers, School — $59,320
- Light Truck Driver — $45,900
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator — $44,490
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $40,370
- Stocker and Order Filler — $36,640
- Packers and Packagers, Hand — $34,230