City Comparison

Providence vs Tyler

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Providence

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

Tyler

Texas
85
Very Affordable
$250,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$54,800
Median Income

The Verdict

29.4%

Tyler is 29.4% less expensive than Providence overall. A household earning $75,000 in Providence would need approximately $57,955 in Tyler to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
118
Providence
69
Tyler
Groceries
105
Providence
96
Tyler
Utilities
119
Providence
97
Tyler
Transportation
102
Providence
92
Tyler
Healthcare
112
Providence
93
Tyler

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Providence has the same purchasing power as $57,955 in Tyler.

Conversely, $75,000 in Tyler equals $97,059 in Providence.

Living in Providence vs Tyler

Housing Costs

Providence's housing index of 118 is higher Tyler's 69, translating to median home prices of $310,000 vs $250,000. The $60,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,900 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Providence compared to $1,075/mo in Tyler, a monthly difference of $425.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 105 in Providence and 96 in Tyler. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $499/month in Providence vs $456/month in Tyler. Tyler offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 119 in Providence and 97 in Tyler. Monthly utility bills average approximately $476 in Providence vs $388 in Tyler. 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 93 in Tyler. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-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 $54,800 in Tyler. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $42,738 and $64,471 respectively. Tyler 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 $1,279/month in Tyler. In Providence, median rent of $1,500/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Tyler, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 49 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tyler is 29.4% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 110.
A $75,000 salary in Providence has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $57,955 in Tyler, based on the cost of living difference.
Providence's housing index is 118 with median homes at $310,000, while Tyler's is 69 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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