CostIndexUSA

Baltimore, MD vs Providence, RI Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MD
Baltimore
104.5
overall index
$1,850/mo rent
More AffordableRI
Providence
101.8
overall index
$2,075/mo rent

Providence is slightly cheaper than Baltimore — 2.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Baltimore, you would need $77,900 in Providence. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing12.1%
Baltimore
118.2
Providence
103.9
🛒 Groceries5.2%
Baltimore
102.4
Providence
97.1
🚗 Transportation+0.8%
Baltimore
106.6
Providence
107.4
🏥 Healthcare+0.8%
Baltimore
96.4
Providence
97.2
Utilities+35.0%
Baltimore
110.2
Providence
148.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Providence, RI
$77,900
$2,100 less needed in Providence

Formula: salary × (101.8 ÷ 104.5) = salary × 0.9742. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Baltimore, MD

Median Home Price
$391,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,850
Housing Index
118.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.6×

Providence, RI

Median Home Price
$501,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,075
Housing Index
103.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.1×

Baltimore has 12.1% lower housing costs compared to Providence.

Income & Job Market

Baltimore, MD

Median Household Income
$94,300
Per Capita Income
$53,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
585,708
Top Industries
HealthcareGovernmentFinanceEducationManufacturing

Providence, RI

Median Household Income
$83,300
Per Capita Income
$47,500
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Population
190,934
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationFinanceManufacturingTourism

Affordability at a Glance

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

Baltimore, MD
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Providence, RI
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

70% 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.