RI18 Cities • 2026 Data

Cost of Living in Rhode Island

Explore cost of living data for 18 cities in Rhode Island. Compare housing, rent, groceries, healthcare, and utility costs with detailed city-by-city breakdowns.

Cost Index
100.0
Average
Avg Rent
$2,350
/month
State Tax
5.99%
income tax
Avg Income
$N/A
/year
Cities
18
tracked

All Cities in Rhode Island(18 of 18)

Bradford

+14%
Rent$2,159 / month
Home Price$719,301
Housing
+35%
Groceries
+2%
View Details

Central Falls

+6%
Rent$1,580 / month
Home Price$526,468
Housing
-1%
Groceries
+2%
View Details

Charlestown

+27%
Rent$3,163 / month
Home Price$1,053,858
Housing
+97%
Groceries
+2%
View Details

Cranston

+15%
Rent$2,229 / month
Home Price$742,731
Housing
+39%
Groceries
+2%
View Details

East Providence

+12%
Rent$2,099 / month
Home Price$699,319
Housing
+31%
Groceries
+2%
View Details

Greenville

+21%
Rent$2,575 / month
Home Price$857,857
Housing
+61%
Groceries
+2%
View Details

Harrisville

+8%
Rent$1,944 / month
Home Price$647,776
Housing
+21%
Groceries
+2%
View Details

Hope Valley

+30%
Rent$3,009 / month
Home Price$1,002,662
Housing
+88%
Groceries
+2%
View Details

Hopkinton

+10%
Rent$2,442 / month
Home Price$813,605
Housing
+52%
Groceries
+2%
View Details

Kingston

+23%
Rent$3,029 / month
Home Price$1,009,399
Housing
+89%
Groceries
+2%
View Details

Newport

+29%
Rent$3,490 / month
Home Price$1,162,792
Housing
+118%
Groceries
+2%
View Details

Pascoag

+12%
Rent$2,041 / month
Home Price$680,185
Housing
+27%
Groceries
+2%
View Details

Pawtucket

+8%
Rent$1,762 / month
Home Price$587,223
Housing
+10%
Groceries
+2%
View Details

Providence

+11%
Rent$1,847 / month
Home Price$615,314
Housing
+15%
Groceries
+2%
View Details

Tiverton

+17%
Rent$2,427 / month
Home Price$808,705
Housing
+51%
Groceries
+2%
View Details

Warwick

+16%
Rent$2,134 / month
Home Price$711,158
Housing
+33%
Groceries
+2%
View Details

Westerly

+21%
Rent$2,716 / month
Home Price$904,964
Housing
+69%
Groceries
+2%
View Details

Woonsocket

+7%
Rent$1,651 / month
Home Price$550,078
Housing
+3%
Groceries
+2%
View Details

Living in Rhode Island: What to Know

Rhode Island has a cost of living index of 100.0, meaning overall expenses are approximately in line with the national average. With 18 cities tracked in our database, the state offers a wide range of living situations from very affordable small towns to pricier metropolitan areas.

Housing is typically the largest expense category. Average rent in Rhode Island is approximately $2,350 per month, with significant variation between urban centers and rural communities. Median home values average around $782,966 statewide.

The state income tax rate in Rhode Island is 5.99%, which directly affects take-home pay. Factor this into salary comparisons when considering a move from states with different tax rates.

Rhode Island Cost of Living FAQ

Common questions about living costs in Rhode Island.

Rhode Island has a cost of living index of 100.0 compared to the national average of 100. This means costs are approximately in line with national averages. The state has 18 cities tracked in our database with varying costs across urban and rural areas.
The average monthly rent in Rhode Island is approximately $2,350 per month. Rent varies significantly by city — major metropolitan areas tend to have rents 30-60% higher than rural communities within the state. Our city-by-city breakdown below provides median rent, median home prices, and utility costs for every tracked city.
Rhode Island has a state income tax rate of approximately 5.99%. This affects take-home pay significantly — on a $100,000 salary, you'd pay roughly $5,990 in state income taxes.
The most affordable cities in Rhode Island include Central Falls (+6% vs national average), Woonsocket (+7% vs national average), Harrisville (+8% vs national average). These cities offer significantly lower housing, grocery, and healthcare costs compared to national averages. Explore each city page for detailed expense breakdowns.
Rhode Island offers average cost of living with 18 cities to choose from. Key factors to consider include housing costs (average rent ~$2,350/mo), job market, climate, and quality of life. Browse individual city pages below for specific cost breakdowns to help you decide.