Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Hartford and Providence have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Connecticut salaries · Rhode Island salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Hartford has a housing index of 121 while Providence sits at 118 (national average = 100). The median home in Hartford costs $215,000 compared to $310,000 in Providence, a difference of $95,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,200 in Hartford versus $1,500 in Providence.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Hartford scores 106 while Providence scores 105.
Healthcare costs in Hartford (114) are higher than Providence (112).
Median household income in Hartford is $40,068 compared to $47,012 in Providence. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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