City Comparison

Providence vs Warwick

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Providence

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

Warwick

Rhode Island
106
Above Average
$413,000
Median Home
$1,425/mo
Median Rent
$74,600
Median Income

The Verdict

3.8%

Living in Warwick costs 3.8% less than Providence. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Providence, you would need $72,273 in Warwick.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
118
Providence
127
Warwick
Groceries
105
Providence
102
Warwick
Utilities
119
Providence
112
Warwick
Transportation
102
Providence
105
Warwick
Healthcare
112
Providence
103
Warwick

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Providence has the same purchasing power as $72,273 in Warwick.

Conversely, $75,000 in Warwick equals $77,830 in Providence.

Living in Providence vs Warwick

Housing Costs

Providence's housing index of 118 is lower Warwick's 127, translating to median home prices of $310,000 vs $413,000. The $103,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,696 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Providence compared to $1,425/mo in Warwick, a monthly difference of $75.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 105 in Providence and 102 in Warwick. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $499/month in Providence vs $485/month in Warwick. 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 112 in Warwick. Monthly utility bills average approximately $476 in Providence vs $448 in Warwick. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 112 in Providence and 103 in Warwick. 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 $74,600 in Warwick. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $42,738 and $70,377 respectively. Warwick 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 $1,741/month in Warwick. In Providence, median rent of $1,500/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Warwick, median rent of $1,425/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 9 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Warwick is 3.8% more affordable overall with an index of 106 vs 110.
A $75,000 salary in Providence has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $72,273 in Warwick, based on the cost of living difference.
Providence's housing index is 118 with median homes at $310,000, while Warwick's is 127 with median homes at $413,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases