Is it cheaper to live in Providence or Tucson?

Tucson, AZ 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 Tucson?

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 Tucson.

Which has lower taxes, Providence or Tucson?

Providence is taxed under Rhode Island's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax); Tucson under Arizona's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax).

Providence vs Tucson Cost of Living 2026

Providence

Rhode Island

$1,310/mo est.

Tucson

Arizona

$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 Tucson, AZ. Overall, Tucson, AZ 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 $54,546 in Tucson, AZ — about 18% higher in Providence, RI. Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax; Arizona has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax.

Providence, RI

Tucson, AZ

Rent

Studio

$1,116

$795

+29% in Providence, RI

1 Bedroom

$1,030

$891

+13% in Providence, RI

2 Bedroom

$1,323

$1,146

+13% in Providence, RI

3 Bedroom

$1,627

$1,520

+7% in Providence, RI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$322,800

$242,200

+25% in Providence, RI

Income

Median Household Income

$66,772

$54,546

+18% in Providence, RI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$53,680

$47,760

+11% in Providence, RI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.9 yr

34.6 yr

+1.7 yr in Tucson, AZ

Homeownership

41.2%

51.7%

+10.5 pp in Tucson, AZ

Bachelor's+ (25+)

34.7%

30.2%

+4.5 pp in Providence, RI

Avg Commute

25.0 min

22.2 min

+2.8 min in Providence, RI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

282.4

645.8

+129% in Tucson, AZ

Property Crime

1,665.6

3,460

+108% in Tucson, AZ

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

70.2°F

+18.6°F in Tucson, AZ

Annual Precipitation

47.2 in

11.6 in

+35.6 in in Providence, RI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$5.09/gal

+32% in Tucson, AZ

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

Free

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

29.5

15.2

+48% in Providence, RI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$16.06

$22.44

+40% in Tucson, AZ

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Tucson, AZ

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$2.04

+6% in Tucson, AZ

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$7.36

+7% in Tucson, AZ

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 / AZ)

5.6%

+1.4 pp in RI

Income Tax (top rate)

5.99%

2.50%

+3.5 pp in RI

Providence vs Tucson — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Providence or Tucson?: Tucson, AZ 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 Tucson?: 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 Tucson.
Which has lower taxes, Providence or Tucson?: Providence is taxed under Rhode Island's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax); Tucson under Arizona's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% 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).