Cost of Living in Rhode Island
Updated November 2026 · population 1,101,801
Rhode Island prices are 2.3% above the US average (index 102.3), ranking 15th most expensive of 51 states and DC; utilities is the biggest cost driver at 146.7, and a single adult's modelled budget at state-average prices is about $2,621 a month.
Prices by category
Rhode Island price index by category, US average = 100: All items 102.3, Housing (rents) 105.6, Goods 97.2, Utilities 146.7, Other services 102.8
| Area | All items |
|---|---|
| Rhode Island (whole state) | 102.3 |
| Metropolitan areas of Rhode Island | 102.3 |
| Rhode Island has no nonmetropolitan area in the BEA data. | |
Cities in Rhode Island
Select a column heading to sort.
| Providence | 191,767 | 102.0 | $2,658 | $5,587 | $1,408 | $362,200 |
| Cranston | 83,250 | 101.6 | $2,743 | $5,618 | $1,375 | $378,300 |
| Warwick | 83,175 | 101.4 | $2,720 | $5,636 | $1,363 | $354,600 |
| Pawtucket | 75,893 | 99.2 | $2,569 | $5,296 | $1,208 | $325,500 |
| Newport | 24,874 | 106.2 | $2,674 | $6,130 | $1,698 | $746,900 |
Metro areas in Rhode Island
| Metro area | All items | Housing |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | 101.8 | 103.9 |
BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for metropolitan statistical areas that include part of Rhode Island.
Modelled monthly budget at Rhode Island average prices
1 adult · 1-bedroom · modelled estimate for Rhode Island (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $837 | $10,044 | 32% |
| Utilities | $344 | $4,128 | 13% |
| Food at home | $274 | $3,288 | 10% |
| Transportation | $640 | $7,680 | 24% |
| Health care | $361 | $4,332 | 14% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $165 | $1,980 | 6% |
| Total | $2,621 | $31,452 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for Rhode Island (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,246 | $14,952 | 27% |
| Utilities | $551 | $6,612 | 12% |
| Food at home | $506 | $6,072 | 11% |
| Transportation | $1,267 | $15,204 | 28% |
| Health care | $670 | $8,040 | 15% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $325 | $3,900 | 7% |
| Total | $4,565 | $54,780 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for Rhode Island (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,409 | $16,908 | 25% |
| Utilities | $670 | $8,040 | 12% |
| Food at home | $722 | $8,664 | 13% |
| Transportation | $1,683 | $20,196 | 30% |
| Health care | $624 | $7,488 | 11% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $419 | $5,028 | 8% |
| Total | $5,527 | $66,324 | 100% |
state figures Rents are Census ACS state medians by bedrooms. See the methodology.
Electricity and gas and inflation
Residential electricity
28.18¢/kWh, August 2026
12-month change +6.2% · US 18.16¢
Regular gasoline regional figure: New England (PADD 1A)
$4.14/gal, week of 2026-11-02
12-month change +41.4% · US $4.15
Consumer prices in the Northeast region rose +4.2% over the 12 months to September 2026 (US +3.7%; BLS CPI-U).
Price level history
| Year | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | 102.4 | 101.8 | 102.2 | 104.5 | 102.1 | 102.3 |
Change over the period: −0.1 points. Each year is measured relative to that year's US average.
Frequently asked questions
Is Rhode Island an expensive state to live in?
Rhode Island has a cost of living index of 102.3 (US = 100), 2.3% above the US average. It ranks 15th of 51 (1 = most expensive). Housing is 105.6 (rank 18), goods 97.2, utilities 146.7 and other services 102.8. Source: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024.
How much does it cost to live in Rhode Island?
At Rhode Island state-average prices, our modelled monthly budget is $2,621 for a single adult, $4,565 for a couple and $5,527 for a family of four, before taxes and child care. Costs vary widely within the state.
What is the median rent and home value in Rhode Island?
The median gross rent in Rhode Island is $1,342 a month and the median home value is $404,200 (Census ACS 2020-2024). The typical renter spends 29.2% of income on rent.
Sources
- BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 (state, state metro and nonmetro portions, MSAs).
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2020-2024, state 44.
- EIA-861M residential electricity (August 2026); EIA weekly retail gasoline (New England (PADD 1A), 2026-11-02).
- BLS CPI-U, Northeast region (September 2026).
Budgets are modelled estimates, not observed spending. Not financial advice. Methodology