Cost of living index
Providence, RI
101.8 / 100
Living in Providence, RI is 1.8% more expensive than the US average.
Overall prices
101.8
Housing / rent
103.9
vs US average
+1.8%
What it costs to live in Providence, RI
Providence, RI has an overall price level of 101.8 compared with the national average of 100, meaning everyday costs run about 1.8% higher than a typical US metro. Housing tells the sharper story: at 103.9 it is 3.9% above the national average. Because rent and mortgage payments are the biggest line in most household budgets, that housing figure is usually what you’ll feel most when you move here.
Common questions
Is Providence, RI an expensive place to live?
Providence, RI has an overall cost-of-living index of 101.8, where 100 is the US average. That makes it about 1.8% more expensive than the country as a whole.
Is housing expensive in Providence, RI?
Housing in Providence, RI scores 103.9 against a US average of 100 — roughly 3.9% above average. Housing is usually the largest single cost, so it drives most of the overall difference.
How does Providence, RI compare to the US average cost of living?
Overall prices in Providence, RI sit at 101.8 versus 100 for the US average, with housing at 103.9. Figures come from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis for 2024.