CICostIndexUSA

Austin, TX vs Providence, RI Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTX
Austin
98.1
overall index
$1,650/mo rent
RI
Providence
101.8
overall index
$2,175/mo rent

Austin is slightly cheaper than Providence — 3.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Austin, you would need $83,000 in Providence. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing13.7%
Austin
120.4
Providence
103.9
🛒 Groceries+3.5%
Austin
93.8
Providence
97.1
🚗 Transportation+6.2%
Austin
101.1
Providence
107.4
🏥 Healthcare+6.3%
Austin
91.4
Providence
97.2
Utilities+81.5%
Austin
82
Providence
148.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Austin to see what you'd need to earn in Providence to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Providence, RI
$83,000
$3,000 more needed in Providence

Formula: salary × (101.8 ÷ 98.1) = salary × 1.0377. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Austin, TX

Median Home Price
$424,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,650
Housing Index
120.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.4×

Providence, RI

Median Home Price
$530,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,175
Housing Index
103.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.3×

Austin has 13.7% lower housing costs compared to Providence.

Income & Job Market

Austin, TX

Median Household Income
$99,900
Per Capita Income
$56,900
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
978,908
Top Industries
TechnologyGovernmentHealthcareEducationEntertainment

Providence, RI

Median Household Income
$82,900
Per Capita Income
$47,300
Unemployment Rate
4.6%
Population
190,934
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationFinanceManufacturingTourism

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Austin, TX
5.0×income-to-rent ratio

80% of income left after rent (median)

Providence, RI
3.2×income-to-rent ratio

69% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.