Is it cheaper to live in Mesa or Providence?

Providence, RI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,310 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 10% below Mesa, AZ's $1,460, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Mesa than in Providence?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $52,000 a year in Mesa versus $41,000 in Providence.

Which has lower taxes, Mesa or Providence?

Mesa is taxed under Arizona's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax); Providence under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax).

Mesa vs Providence Cost of Living 2026

Mesa

Arizona

$1,460/mo est.

Providence

Rhode Island

$1,310/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,460 in Mesa, AZ versus $1,310 in Providence, RI. Overall, Providence, RI is roughly 10% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Mesa, AZ, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $78,779 in Mesa, AZ and $66,772 in Providence, RI — about 15% higher in Mesa, AZ. Arizona has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax; Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax.

Mesa, AZ

Providence, RI

Rent

Studio

$1,209

$1,116

+8% in Mesa, AZ

1 Bedroom

$1,288

$1,030

+20% in Mesa, AZ

2 Bedroom

$1,458

$1,323

+9% in Mesa, AZ

3 Bedroom

$1,819

$1,627

+11% in Mesa, AZ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$364,300

$322,800

+11% in Mesa, AZ

Income

Median Household Income

$78,779

$66,772

+15% in Mesa, AZ

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,380

$53,680

+4% in Providence, RI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.2 yr

32.9 yr

+4.3 yr in Mesa, AZ

Homeownership

64.4%

41.2%

+23.2 pp in Mesa, AZ

Bachelor's+ (25+)

31.5%

34.7%

+3.2 pp in Providence, RI

Avg Commute

25.0 min

about equal

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

486.2

282.4

+42% in Mesa, AZ

Property Crime

1,488

1,665.6

+12% in Providence, RI

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

75.1°F

51.6°F

+23.5°F in Mesa, AZ

Annual Precipitation

8.0 in

47.2 in

+39.1 in in Providence, RI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.09/gal

$3.86/gal

+24% in Mesa, AZ

Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

—

Adult base one-way fare — Valley Metro vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.2

29.5

+93% in Providence, RI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.44

$16.06

+28% in Mesa, AZ

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Mesa, AZ

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.92

+6% in Mesa, AZ

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.90

+6% in Mesa, AZ

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.19

+9% in Providence, RI

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.69

about equal

Average prices — West vs Northeast (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (AZ / RI)

5.6%

+1.4 pp in RI

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

5.99%

+3.5 pp in RI

Mesa vs Providence — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Mesa or Providence?: Providence, RI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,310 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 10% below Mesa, AZ's $1,460, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Mesa than in Providence?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $52,000 a year in Mesa versus $41,000 in Providence.
Which has lower taxes, Mesa or Providence?: Mesa is taxed under Arizona's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax); Providence under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).