City Comparison

Warwick vs Washington

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Warwick

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

Washington

District of Columbia
152
Very Expensive
$580,000
Median Home
$2,300/mo
Median Rent
$90,842
Median Income

The Verdict

30.3%

Living in Warwick costs 30.3% less than Washington. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Warwick, you would need $107,547 in Washington.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
127
Warwick
226
Washington
Groceries
102
Warwick
108
Washington
Utilities
112
Warwick
118
Washington
Transportation
105
Warwick
109
Washington
Healthcare
103
Warwick
105
Washington

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Warwick has the same purchasing power as $107,547 in Washington.

Conversely, $75,000 in Washington equals $52,303 in Warwick.

Living in Warwick vs Washington

Housing Costs

Warwick's housing index of 127 is lower Washington's 226, translating to median home prices of $413,000 vs $580,000. The $167,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,860 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,425/mo in Warwick compared to $2,300/mo in Washington, a monthly difference of $875.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 102 in Warwick and 108 in Washington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Warwick vs $513/month in Washington. Warwick offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 112 in Warwick and 118 in Washington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $448 in Warwick vs $472 in Washington. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 103 in Warwick and 105 in Washington. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $74,600 in Warwick and $90,842 in Washington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $70,377 and $59,764 respectively. Warwick residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,741/month to housing in Warwick vs $2,120/month in Washington. In Warwick, median rent of $1,425/mo fits within this budget. In Washington, median rent of $2,300/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 99 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Warwick is 30.3% more affordable overall with an index of 106 vs 152.
A $75,000 salary in Warwick has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $107,547 in Washington, based on the cost of living difference.
Warwick's housing index is 127 with median homes at $413,000, while Washington's is 226 with median homes at $580,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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