Rhode Island has a cost of living index of 111 (US average = 100) with a median household income of $92,962 and a population of 678,634. We ranked 15 cities based on affordability, income, housing value, and climate to find the best places to call home in Rhode Island.
Cumberland Hill is 5% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $131,006 and a population of 8,638.
Warwick is 1% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $87,536 and a population of 82,871.
Cranston is 5% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $87,716 and a population of 82,632.
Valley Falls is 1% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $93,653 and a population of 12,370.
East Providence is 0% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $79,660 and a population of 46,970.
Greenville is 1% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $94,567 and a population of 8,586.
Wakefield-Peace Dale is 10% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $111,200 and a population of 9,812.
Pawtucket is 6% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $67,436 and a population of 75,280.
Providence is 2% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $66,772 and a population of 190,214.
Tiverton is 6% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $91,493 and a population of 8,151.
Woonsocket is 9% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $58,614 and a population of 43,074.
Westerly is 6% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $82,333 and a population of 18,528.
Central Falls is 6% cheaper than the national average with a median income of $45,921 and a population of 22,481.
Kingston is 16% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $82,143 and a population of 6,953.
Newport East is 29% more expensive than the national average with a median income of $86,310 and a population of 11,262.
Our livability score combines four data-driven factors: affordability (35% — cost of living index relative to national average), income (25% — median household income from the Census Bureau), housing value (15% — home price to income ratio), and climate (15% — NOAA temperature normals favoring moderate climates). Population serves as a proxy for amenities (10%).
Only cities with at least 5,000–10,000 residents are included. Data sourced from the US Census Bureau, Zillow, HUD, and NOAA.