Providence vs Austin
Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Providence
Austin
💡 The Verdict
Providence and Austin have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
💰 Salary Equivalence
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Rhode Island salaries · Texas salaries
Living in Providence vs Austin
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Providence has a housing index of 118 while Austin sits at 123 (national average = 100). The median home in Providence costs $310,000 compared to $430,000 in Austin, a difference of $120,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,500 in Providence versus $1,700 in Austin.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Providence scores 105 while Austin scores 96. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Providence (112) are higher than Austin (97).
Median household income in Providence is $47,012 compared to $75,413 in Austin. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
Relocating: Providence vs Austin
If you are considering a move between Providence (index: 110) and Austin (index: 107), the 3% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Austin is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.
Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in Providence can afford $1,097/month, while the median household in Austin can afford $1,760/month. With median homes at $310,000 in Providence versus $430,000 in Austin, homeownership requires above-median income in the pricier market.
Renting vs buying: At $1,500/month in Providence and $1,700/month in Austin, renters face similar costs in both cities. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.
Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes about equally far in both cities. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.
Reading These Numbers: Providence (110) vs Austin (107)
The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Providence at 110 is 10% above the US average, while Austin at 107 is 7% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.
The overall index is a weighted average of housing (the largest component), groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare. Housing typically drives the biggest differences between cities. Even when two cities have similar overall indices, their category-level costs can vary significantly — one city might have expensive housing but cheap groceries, while another is the reverse. Check the category breakdown above for the full picture.
For renters: With median rents of $1,500/month in Providence and $1,700/month in Austin, the annual rent difference is approximately $2,400. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $12,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $120,000 difference in median home prices between Providence and Austin translates to roughly $7,200 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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