Living Cost Compare
Newark

Delaware

$1,620/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 $1,620 in Newark, DE versus $1,330 in Providence, RI. Overall, Providence, RI is roughly 18% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Newark, DE, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $71,373 in Newark, DE and $66,772 in Providence, RI — about 6% higher in Newark, DE. Delaware has a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax; Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax.

Newark, DE
Providence, RI

Rent

Studio
$1,649
$1,116
+32% in Newark, DE
1 Bedroom
$1,391
$1,030
+26% in Newark, DE
2 Bedroom
$1,513
$1,323
+13% in Newark, DE
3 Bedroom
$1,916
$1,627
+15% in Newark, DE

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$357,600
$322,800
+10% in Newark, DE

Income

Median Household Income
$71,373
$66,772
+6% in Newark, DE
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$54,310
$53,680
+1% in Newark, DE

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
22.0 yr
32.9 yr
+10.9 yr in Providence, RI
Homeownership
50.3%
41.2%
+9.1 pp in Newark, DE
Bachelor's+ (25+)
57.5%
34.7%
+22.8 pp in Newark, DE
Avg Commute
19.6 min
25.0 min
+5.4 min in Providence, RI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
326.3
282.4
+13% in Newark, DE
Property Crime
2,024.6
1,665.6
+18% in Newark, DE

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
54.9°F
51.6°F
+3.3°F in Newark, DE
Annual Precipitation
43.1 in
47.2 in
+4.1 in in Providence, RI

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.94/gal
$3.94/gal
about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
19.3
29.2
+52% in Providence, RI
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$29.73
$25.75
+13% in Newark, DE

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 Newark, DE
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 (DE / RI)
None
7%
+7.0 pp in RI
Income Tax (top rate)
6.60%
5.99%
+0.6 pp in DE

Newark vs Providence — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Newark or Providence?
Providence, RI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,330 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below Newark, DE's $1,620, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Newark than in Providence?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $56,000 a year in Newark versus $41,000 in Providence.
Which has lower taxes, Newark or Providence?
Newark is taxed under Delaware's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no 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).