Newport, RI vs Westerly, RI

The cost of living difference between Newport, RI and Westerly, RI is dramatic. Westerly is 31.4% cheaper than Newport, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Newport has a cost index of 139 while Westerly sits at 106, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Newport is $1,612/month compared to $1,243/month in Westerly — a 30% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Westerly is more affordable at $400,200 median vs $669,500.

Median household income in Newport is $83,562 compared to $82,333 in Westerly (+1.5%). Newport does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Newport spend roughly 23.1% of their income on rent, more than the 18.1% in Westerly.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.3°F vs 52.5°F). Westerly receives more rainfall at 42.8" per year compared to 42.2" in Newport.