Living Cost Compare
Montgomery

Alabama

$1,020/mo est.

vs
Providence

Rhode Island

$1,330/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,020 in Montgomery, AL versus $1,330 in Providence, RI. Overall, Montgomery, AL is roughly 23% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Providence, RI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $55,687 in Montgomery, AL and $66,772 in Providence, RI — about 17% higher in Providence, RI. Alabama has a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax; Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax.

Montgomery, AL
Providence, RI

Rent

Studio
$864
$1,116
+29% in Providence, RI
1 Bedroom
$831
$1,030
+24% in Providence, RI
2 Bedroom
$982
$1,323
+35% in Providence, RI
3 Bedroom
$1,172
$1,627
+39% in Providence, RI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$148,500
$322,800
+117% in Providence, RI

Income

Median Household Income
$55,687
$66,772
+20% in Providence, RI
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$44,950
$53,680
+19% in Providence, RI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
36.2 yr
32.9 yr
+3.3 yr in Montgomery, AL
Homeownership
54.3%
41.2%
+13.1 pp in Montgomery, AL
Bachelor's+ (25+)
33.5%
34.7%
+1.2 pp in Providence, RI
Avg Commute
20.5 min
25.0 min
+4.5 min in Providence, RI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
605.5
282.4
+53% in Montgomery, AL
Property Crime
2,258.3
1,665.6
+26% in Montgomery, AL

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
65.1°F
51.6°F
+13.5°F in Montgomery, AL
Annual Precipitation
53.1 in
47.2 in
+5.9 in in Montgomery, AL

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.62/gal
$3.94/gal
+9% in Providence, RI

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
16.4
29.2
+78% in Providence, RI
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$24.06
$25.75
+7% in Providence, RI

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.00
$4.31
+8% in Providence, RI
Bread (lb)
$1.75
$1.92
+10% in Providence, RI
Eggs (doz)
$2.21
$2.19
+1% in Montgomery, AL
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.45
$6.90
+7% in Providence, RI
Chicken (lb)
$1.90
$2.19
+15% in Providence, RI
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.69
+12% in Providence, RI

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (AL / RI)
4%
7%
+3.0 pp in RI
Income Tax (top rate)
5.00%
5.99%
+1.0 pp in RI

Montgomery vs Providence — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Montgomery or Providence?
Montgomery, AL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Providence, RI's $1,330, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Montgomery than in Providence?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Montgomery versus $41,000 in Providence.
Which has lower taxes, Montgomery or Providence?
Montgomery is taxed under Alabama's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% 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).