11 cities · Updated March 2026
Rhode Island has a cost of living close to the national average, with an average index of 104 across its 11 tracked cities. The average monthly rent across Rhode Island cities is $1,310, with median household incomes averaging $76,319 per year. The cheapest city is Woonsocket (index 82) and the most expensive is Newport (index 150).
Rhode Island has a moderate tax environment with a 5.99% top income tax rate, 7.0% sales tax, and 1.53% effective property tax rate.
Sorted from cheapest to most expensive (US average = 100)
| # | City | Cost Index | Rent | Income | Home Value | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Woonsocket | 82 | $1,116/mo | $58,614 | $268,000 | 43,074 |
| 2 | Central Falls | 86 | $1,118/mo | $45,921 | $300,500 | 22,481 |
| 3 | Pawtucket | 87 | $1,152/mo | $67,436 | $286,200 | 75,280 |
| 4 | East Providence | 96 | $1,262/mo | $79,660 | $322,100 | 46,970 |
| 5 | Valley Falls | 97 | $1,160/mo | $93,653 | $347,900 | 12,370 |
| 6 | Providence | 99 | $1,333/mo | $66,772 | $322,800 | 190,214 |
| 7 | Warwick | 100 | $1,299/mo | $87,536 | $322,000 | 82,871 |
| 8 | Cranston | 104 | $1,332/mo | $87,716 | $348,800 | 82,632 |
| 9 | Westerly | 106 | $1,243/mo | $82,333 | $400,200 | 18,528 |
| 10 | Newport East | 137 | $1,784/mo | $86,310 | $479,200 | 11,262 |
| 11 | Newport | 150 | $1,612/mo | $83,562 | $669,500 | 25,029 |
Common questions about cost of living in Rhode Island