Is it cheaper to live in Rutland or Warwick?

Rutland, VT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 19% below Warwick, RI's $1,390, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Rutland than in Warwick?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Rutland versus $43,000 in Warwick.

Which has lower taxes, Rutland or Warwick?

Rutland is taxed under Vermont's rules (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax); Warwick under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax).

Rutland vs Warwick Cost of Living 2026

Rutland

Vermont

$1,120/mo est.

Warwick

Rhode Island

$1,390/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,120 in Rutland, VT versus $1,390 in Warwick, RI. Overall, Rutland, VT is roughly 19% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Warwick, RI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $55,000 in Rutland, VT and $87,536 in Warwick, RI — about 37% higher in Warwick, RI. Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax; Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax.

Rutland, VT

Warwick, RI

Rent

Studio

$893

$923

+3% in Warwick, RI

1 Bedroom

$856

$1,085

+27% in Warwick, RI

2 Bedroom

$1,097

$1,629

+48% in Warwick, RI

3 Bedroom

$1,207

$1,569

+30% in Warwick, RI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$176,400

$322,000

+83% in Warwick, RI

Income

Median Household Income

$55,000

$87,536

+59% in Warwick, RI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

—

$53,680

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

48.5 yr

44.6 yr

+3.9 yr in Rutland, VT

Homeownership

52.7%

73.4%

+20.7 pp in Warwick, RI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

32.2%

33.2%

+1.0 pp in Warwick, RI

Avg Commute

14.7 min

25.0 min

+10.3 min in Warwick, RI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

487.8

79.5

+84% in Rutland, VT

Property Crime

3,973.3

1,149.5

+71% in Rutland, VT

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

44.6°F

51.6°F

+7.0°F in Warwick, RI

Annual Precipitation

40.5 in

47.2 in

+6.7 in in Warwick, RI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

24.4

29.2

+20% in Warwick, RI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$26.07

$25.75

+1% in Rutland, VT

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.92

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (VT / RI)

+1.0 pp in RI

Income Tax (top rate)

8.75%

5.99%

+2.8 pp in VT

Rutland vs Warwick — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Rutland or Warwick?: Rutland, VT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 19% below Warwick, RI's $1,390, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Rutland than in Warwick?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Rutland versus $43,000 in Warwick.
Which has lower taxes, Rutland or Warwick?: Rutland is taxed under Vermont's rules (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax); Warwick 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).