CostIndexUSA

Newark, NJ vs Providence, RI Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NJ
Newark
112.6
overall index
$3,225/mo rent
More AffordableRI
Providence
101.8
overall index
$2,075/mo rent

Providence is moderately cheaper than Newark — 9.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Newark, you would need $72,300 in Providence. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing30.1%
Newark
148.6
Providence
103.9
🛒 Groceries12.0%
Newark
110.3
Providence
97.1
🚗 Transportation3.3%
Newark
111.1
Providence
107.4
🏥 Healthcare3.3%
Newark
100.5
Providence
97.2
Utilities+17.2%
Newark
127
Providence
148.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Providence, RI
$72,300
$7,700 less needed in Providence

Formula: salary × (101.8 ÷ 112.6) = salary × 0.9041. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Newark, NJ

Median Home Price
$703,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,225
Housing Index
148.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.2×

Providence, RI

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

Newark has 30.1% lower housing costs compared to Providence.

Income & Job Market

Newark, NJ

Median Household Income
$95,200
Per Capita Income
$54,300
Unemployment Rate
5.2%
Population
311,549
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingLogisticsGovernmentFinance

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).

Newark, NJ
2.5×income-to-rent ratio

59% 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.