CostIndexUSA

Los Angeles, CA vs Providence, RI Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Los Angeles
113.6
overall index
$2,875/mo rent
More AffordableRI
Providence
101.8
overall index
$2,075/mo rent

Providence is moderately cheaper than Los Angeles — 10.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Los Angeles, you would need $71,700 in Providence. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing39.0%
Los Angeles
170.4
Providence
103.9
🛒 Groceries8.9%
Los Angeles
106.6
Providence
97.1
🚗 Transportation2.0%
Los Angeles
109.6
Providence
107.4
🏥 Healthcare1.9%
Los Angeles
99.1
Providence
97.2
Utilities6.2%
Los Angeles
158.6
Providence
148.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Providence, RI
$71,700
$8,300 less needed in Providence

Formula: salary × (101.8 ÷ 113.6) = salary × 0.8961. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Los Angeles, CA

Median Home Price
$944,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,875
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
27.4×

Providence, RI

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

Los Angeles has 39.0% lower housing costs compared to Providence.

Income & Job Market

Los Angeles, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
3,979,576
Top Industries
EntertainmentTechnologyHealthcareLogisticsReal Estate

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).

Los Angeles, CA
2.7×income-to-rent ratio

63% 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.