City Comparison

Providence vs Roswell

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Providence

Rhode Island
110
Above Average
$310,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$47,012
Median Income

Roswell

Georgia
113
Above Average
$647,000
Median Home
$1,700/mo
Median Rent
$108,800
Median Income

The Verdict

2.7%

The cost gap between these cities is 2.7%, with Providence being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Providence has equivalent purchasing power to $77,045 in Roswell.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
118
Providence
187
Roswell
Groceries
105
Providence
101
Roswell
Utilities
119
Providence
98
Roswell
Transportation
102
Providence
110
Roswell
Healthcare
112
Providence
103
Roswell

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Providence has the same purchasing power as $77,045 in Roswell.

Conversely, $75,000 in Roswell equals $73,009 in Providence.

Living in Providence vs Roswell

Housing Costs

Providence's housing index of 118 is lower Roswell's 187, translating to median home prices of $310,000 vs $647,000. The $337,000 difference in home prices means roughly $21,900 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Providence compared to $1,700/mo in Roswell, a monthly difference of $200.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 105 in Providence and 101 in Roswell. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $499/month in Providence vs $480/month in Roswell. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 119 in Providence and 98 in Roswell. Monthly utility bills average approximately $476 in Providence vs $392 in Roswell. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 112 in Providence and 103 in Roswell. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $47,012 in Providence and $108,800 in Roswell. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $42,738 and $96,283 respectively. Roswell residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,097/month to housing in Providence vs $2,539/month in Roswell. In Providence, median rent of $1,500/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Roswell, median rent of $1,700/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 69 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Providence is 2.7% more affordable overall with an index of 110 vs 113.
A $75,000 salary in Providence has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $77,045 in Roswell, based on the cost of living difference.
Providence's housing index is 118 with median homes at $310,000, while Roswell's is 187 with median homes at $647,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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