Is it cheaper to live in Providence or Spokane?

Spokane, WA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below Providence, RI's $1,310, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Providence versus $36,000 in Spokane.

Which has lower taxes, Providence or Spokane?

Providence is taxed under Rhode Island's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Providence vs Spokane Cost of Living 2026

Providence

Rhode Island

$1,310/mo est.

Spokane

Washington

$1,070/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 $1,070 in Spokane, WA. Overall, Spokane, WA is roughly 18% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Providence, RI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $66,772 in Providence, RI and $65,745 in Spokane, WA — about 2% higher in Providence, RI. Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Providence, RI

Spokane, WA

Rent

Studio

$1,116

$884

+21% in Providence, RI

1 Bedroom

$1,030

$903

+12% in Providence, RI

2 Bedroom

$1,323

$1,192

+10% in Providence, RI

3 Bedroom

$1,627

$1,442

+11% in Providence, RI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$322,800

$326,200

+1% in Spokane, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$66,772

$65,745

+2% in Providence, RI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$53,680

$54,660

+2% in Spokane, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.9 yr

37.2 yr

+4.3 yr in Spokane, WA

Homeownership

41.2%

58.3%

+17.1 pp in Spokane, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

34.7%

32.6%

+2.1 pp in Providence, RI

Avg Commute

25.0 min

21.2 min

+3.8 min in Providence, RI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

282.4

683.6

+142% in Spokane, WA

Property Crime

1,665.6

4,931.8

+196% in Spokane, WA

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

48.9°F

+2.7°F in Providence, RI

Annual Precipitation

47.2 in

17.8 in

+29.4 in in Providence, RI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$5.12/gal

+33% in Spokane, WA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

29.5

14.9

+49% in Providence, RI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$16.06

$20.41

+27% in Spokane, WA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Spokane, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$2.04

+6% in Spokane, WA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$7.36

+7% in Spokane, WA

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 / WA)

6.5%

+0.5 pp in RI

Income Tax (top rate)

5.99%

None

+6.0 pp in RI

Providence vs Spokane — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Providence or Spokane?: Spokane, WA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below Providence, RI's $1,310, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Providence than in Spokane?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Providence versus $36,000 in Spokane.
Which has lower taxes, Providence or Spokane?: Providence is taxed under Rhode Island's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).