CostIndexUSA

Providence, RI vs Spokane, WA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

RI
Providence
101.8
overall index
$2,075/mo rent
More AffordableWA
Spokane
100.3
overall index
$1,475/mo rent

Spokane is slightly cheaper than Providence — 1.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Providence, you would need $78,800 in Spokane. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing6.5%
Providence
103.9
Spokane
97.1
🛒 Groceries+8.1%
Providence
97.1
Spokane
105
🚗 Transportation2.8%
Providence
107.4
Spokane
104.4
🏥 Healthcare2.8%
Providence
97.2
Spokane
94.5
Utilities38.7%
Providence
148.8
Spokane
91.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Spokane, WA
$78,800
$1,200 less needed in Spokane

Formula: salary × (100.3 ÷ 101.8) = salary × 0.9853. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Providence, RI

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

Spokane, WA

Median Home Price
$406,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,475
Housing Index
97.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.9×

Providence has 6.5% lower housing costs compared to Spokane.

Income & Job Market

Providence, RI

Median Household Income
$83,300
Per Capita Income
$47,500
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Population
190,934
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationFinanceManufacturingTourism

Spokane, WA

Median Household Income
$72,800
Per Capita Income
$41,500
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
228,989
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationGovernmentManufacturingRetail

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Providence, RI
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

70% of income left after rent (median)

Spokane, WA
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.