Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,235 in Florida versus $1,032 in Rhode Island. Overall, Rhode Island runs roughly 16% cheaper on rent than Florida, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $69,142 in Florida and $87,536 in Rhode Island — about 21% higher in Rhode Island. Florida has no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax; Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6%
7%
+1.0 pp in Rhode Island
Income Tax (top rate)
None
5.99%
+6.0 pp in Rhode Island
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,235
$1,032
+16% in Florida
Median Home Value
$320,700
$322,800
+1% in Rhode Island
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$69,142
$87,536
+27% in Rhode Island
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
71.8°F
51.6°F
+20.2°F in Florida
Florida vs Rhode Island — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Florida or Rhode Island?
- Rhode Island is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,032 runs about 16% below Florida's $1,235, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Florida than in Rhode Island?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $49,000 a year in Florida versus $41,000 in Rhode Island.
- Which has lower taxes, Florida or Rhode Island?
- Florida has no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax. Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 2/3 cities we track in Florida/Rhode Island — not population-weighted statewide figures. Taxes are exact state-level rates. Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026.