Is it cheaper to live in Providence or Reno?

Providence, RI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,310 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 3% below Reno, NV's $1,350, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Providence versus $48,000 in Reno.

Which has lower taxes, Providence or Reno?

Providence is taxed under Rhode Island's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax); Reno under Nevada's (no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax).

Providence vs Reno Cost of Living 2026

Providence

Rhode Island

$1,310/mo est.

Reno

Nevada

$1,350/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,310 in Providence, RI versus $1,350 in Reno, NV. Overall, Providence, RI is roughly 3% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Reno, NV, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $66,772 in Providence, RI and $78,448 in Reno, NV — about 15% higher in Reno, NV. Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax; Nevada has no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax.

Providence, RI

Reno, NV

Rent

Studio

$1,116

$964

+14% in Providence, RI

1 Bedroom

$1,030

$1,206

+17% in Reno, NV

2 Bedroom

$1,323

$1,518

+15% in Reno, NV

3 Bedroom

$1,627

$1,885

+16% in Reno, NV

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$322,800

$498,600

+54% in Reno, NV

Income

Median Household Income

$66,772

$78,448

+17% in Reno, NV

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$53,680

$49,660

+7% in Providence, RI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.9 yr

37.3 yr

+4.4 yr in Reno, NV

Homeownership

41.2%

49.4%

+8.2 pp in Reno, NV

Bachelor's+ (25+)

34.7%

35.7%

+1.0 pp in Reno, NV

Avg Commute

25.0 min

20.6 min

+4.4 min in Providence, RI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

282.4

528.9

+87% in Reno, NV

Property Crime

1,665.6

2,489.3

+49% in Reno, NV

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

51.6°F

53.8°F

+2.2°F in Reno, NV

Annual Precipitation

47.2 in

7.4 in

+39.8 in in Providence, RI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$5.09/gal

+32% in Reno, NV

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

29.5

13.6

+54% in Providence, RI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$16.06

$12.09

+25% in Providence, RI

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Reno, NV

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$2.04

+6% in Reno, NV

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$7.36

+7% in Reno, NV

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.01

+8% in Providence, RI

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.70

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (RI / NV)

6.85%

+0.2 pp in RI

Income Tax (top rate)

5.99%

None

+6.0 pp in RI

Providence vs Reno — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Providence or Reno?: Providence, RI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,310 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 3% below Reno, NV's $1,350, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Providence than in Reno?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Providence versus $48,000 in Reno.
Which has lower taxes, Providence or Reno?: Providence is taxed under Rhode Island's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax); Reno under Nevada's (no state income tax and a 6.85% 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).