Is it cheaper to live in Providence or Tampa?

Providence, RI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,310 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Tampa, FL's $1,500, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Providence versus $53,000 in Tampa.

Which has lower taxes, Providence or Tampa?

Providence is taxed under Rhode Island's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax); Tampa under Florida's (no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax).

Providence vs Tampa Cost of Living 2026

Providence

Rhode Island

$1,310/mo est.

Tampa

Florida

$1,500/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 $1,500 in Tampa, FL. Overall, Providence, RI is roughly 13% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Tampa, FL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $66,772 in Providence, RI and $71,302 in Tampa, FL — about 6% higher in Tampa, FL. Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax; Florida has no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax.

Providence, RI

Tampa, FL

Rent

Studio

$1,116

$1,242

+11% in Tampa, FL

1 Bedroom

$1,030

$1,324

+29% in Tampa, FL

2 Bedroom

$1,323

$1,673

+26% in Tampa, FL

3 Bedroom

$1,627

$1,729

+6% in Tampa, FL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$322,800

$375,300

+16% in Tampa, FL

Income

Median Household Income

$66,772

$71,302

+7% in Tampa, FL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$53,680

$48,940

+9% in Providence, RI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.9 yr

35.6 yr

+2.7 yr in Tampa, FL

Homeownership

41.2%

50.2%

+9.0 pp in Tampa, FL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

34.7%

44.6%

+9.9 pp in Tampa, FL

Avg Commute

25.0 min

24.7 min

+0.3 min in Providence, RI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

282.4

443.2

+57% in Tampa, FL

Property Crime

1,665.6

1,473.2

+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

51.6°F

73.4°F

+21.8°F in Tampa, FL

Annual Precipitation

47.2 in

46.3 in

+0.9 in in Providence, RI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.77/gal

+2% in Providence, RI

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Florida.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.00

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

29.5

15.2

+49% in Providence, RI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$16.06

$23.62

+47% in Tampa, FL

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Providence, RI

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.75

+9% in Providence, RI

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Tampa, FL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.45

+6% in Providence, RI

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$1.90

+13% in Providence, RI

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Providence, RI

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (RI / FL)

+1.0 pp in RI

Income Tax (top rate)

5.99%

None

+6.0 pp in RI

Providence vs Tampa — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Providence or Tampa?: Providence, RI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,310 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Tampa, FL's $1,500, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Providence than in Tampa?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Providence versus $53,000 in Tampa.
Which has lower taxes, Providence or Tampa?: Providence is taxed under Rhode Island's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax); Tampa under Florida's (no state income tax and a 6% 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).