CostIndexUSA

Cincinnati, OH vs Providence, RI Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableOH
Cincinnati
95.4
overall index
$1,525/mo rent
RI
Providence
101.8
overall index
$2,075/mo rent

Cincinnati is moderately cheaper than Providence — 6.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Cincinnati, you would need $85,400 in Providence. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+18.6%
Cincinnati
87.6
Providence
103.9
🛒 Groceries+3.5%
Cincinnati
93.8
Providence
97.1
🚗 Transportation+3.3%
Cincinnati
104
Providence
107.4
🏥 Healthcare+3.3%
Cincinnati
94.1
Providence
97.2
Utilities+63.5%
Cincinnati
91
Providence
148.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Providence, RI
$85,400
$5,400 more needed in Providence

Formula: salary × (101.8 ÷ 95.4) = salary × 1.0671. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Cincinnati, OH

Median Home Price
$296,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,525
Housing Index
87.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.2×

Providence, RI

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

Providence has 18.6% higher housing costs compared to Cincinnati.

Income & Job Market

Cincinnati, OH

Median Household Income
$77,800
Per Capita Income
$44,300
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
309,317
Top Industries
FinanceManufacturingHealthcareRetailTechnology

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).

Cincinnati, OH
4.3×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.