Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Providence and Springfield 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: Rhode Island salaries · Massachusetts salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Providence has a housing index of 118 while Springfield sits at 106 (national average = 100). The median home in Providence costs $310,000 compared to $230,000 in Springfield, a difference of $80,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,500 in Providence versus $1,200 in Springfield.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Providence scores 105 while Springfield scores 104. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Providence (112) are lower than Springfield (114).
Median household income in Providence is $47,012 compared to $41,612 in Springfield. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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