Cost of Living in Rhode Island: Cities Where Household Expenses are Highest and Lowest in 2024
What is the cost of living in Rhode Island? doxo breaks down key insights about Rhode Island’s household expenses, with a close look into how bills differ between towns and cities across the state.
According to doxo’s The Cost of Bills Index™ (COBI), the average household in Rhode Island pays $2,469 in monthly expenses. doxoINSIGHTS compares the cost of the ten most common household bills across different regions. This includes Utilities, Cable & Phone, Mobile Phone, Auto Loans, Auto Insurance, Life Insurance, Health Insurance, Alarm & Security, Rent, and Mortgage.
The data sheds light on Rhode Island’s cost of living through other metrics as well. For example, the “percent of household income” data point shows what percentage of their household income residents spend on bills each month.
By leveraging these tools, residents can gain a clearer understanding of their household expenses and optimize their financial planning.
Rhode Island ranks as the 11th most expensive state in the US for household bills
According to doxo’s COBI report, Rhode Island is ranked as the 11th most expensive state in the U.S. for household bills, making it the least expensive state for these expenses.
At $29,626 per year, Rhode Island’s household expenses, on average, are 16% higher than the US average of $25,513.
Absolute dollar amounts don’t tell the full story, however. doxo’s “Percentage of Household Income” data provides a more proportional look at bill spending in a particular location. Rhode Island households spend 35% of their income on bills.
COBI helps consumers understand how much it costs to live in one area as compared to another as it relates to the most common household bills. For COBI, the number 100 represents the national average and then, states, counties and cities are assigned a number, either above or below 100, based on how they compare to the national average. The COBI for Rhode Island is 116.
- Average Bill Cost per Household: $2,469 per month
- Cost of Bills Index(COBI): 116
- doxoINSIGHTS State Rank: #11
- Percent of Household Income Used for Bills: 35%
- Compared to the National Average: 16% higher
Rhode Island Household Expenses are 16% Higher Than the National Average
The average Rhode Island household pays $2,469 per month in the 10 most common household bills. The least expensive of these are alarm and security bills.
On the lowest end of the spectrum, the average monthly payment for alarm and security bills in Rhode Island is $85, compared to the national average of $85, making it the same as the average.
Monthly mortgage bills are the most significant of the 10 most common bills for Rhode Island residents. The average monthly mortgage payment is $1,912, compared to the national average of $1,402, making it 36% more expensive.
Average Rhode Island Household Bill Spending
| Bill Category | Average Rhode Island Monthly Bill | National Average Monthly Bill | Rhode Island Percent +/- National Average |
| Mortgage | $1,912 | $1,402 | 36% higher |
| Rent | $1,227 | $1,300 | 6% lower |
| Auto Loan | $506 | $496 | 2% higher |
| Utilities | $328 | $362 | 9% lower |
| Auto Insurance | $280 | $209 | 34% higher |
| Health Insurance | $194 | $114 | 70% higher |
| Mobile Phone | $113 | $121 | 7% lower |
| Cable & Internet | $112 | $122 | 8% lower |
| Life Insurance | $126 | $87 | 45% higher |
| Alarm & Security | $85 | $85 | The same |
| Total | $2,469 | $2,126 | 16% higher |
*Household Bill Pay Expense averages shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).
Barrington has the highest cost of living in Rhode Island for household bills
Residents of Barrington pay the highest household bills in the state of Rhode Island, at an average of $3,053 per month. The Cost of Bills Index (COBI) for Barrington is 144, meaning the average cost of bills in this city is 44% higher than the national average.
In proportion to household income, monthly bills in Barrington makeup 25% of the average annual household income of $145,028.
Access detailed infographics about each city or town by clicking on the hyperlinks in the “City” column in the tables below. You can also browse doxoINSIGHTS’ regional bill comparison database to see infographics about more than 4,200 cities and towns across all 50 states in the US.
10 Most Expensive Rhode Island Cities for Household Bills
| Rank | City | Average Income | Monthly Bill Expenses Per Household | Cost of Bills Index (COBI) – Standard | % +/- Than the National Average | Percent of Household Income Used for Bills |
| 1 | Barrington | $145,028 | $3,053 | 144 | 44% higher | 25% |
| 2 | East Greenwich | $120,219 | $3,003 | 141 | 41% higher | 30% |
| 3 | Portsmouth | $107,360 | $2,881 | 135 | 35% higher | 32% |
| 4 | Lincoln | $110,639 | $2,811 | 132 | 32% higher | 30% |
| 5 | Middletown | $97,555 | $2,716 | 128 | 28% higher | 33% |
| 6 | Newport | $81,277 | $2,628 | 124 | 24% higher | 39% |
| 7 | Cumberland | $109,746 | $2,600 | 122 | 22% higher | 28% |
| 8 | Warwick | $81,521 | $2,565 | 121 | 21% higher | 38% |
| 9 | Providence | $64,388 | $2,564 | 121 | 21% higher | 48% |
| 10 | Wakefield | $112,409 | $2,557 | 120 | 20% higher | 27% |
*Household Bill Pay Expense averages shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).
Tiverton has the lowest cost of living in Rhode Island for household bills
Out of 28 cities, Tiverton is the most affordable place in Rhode Island, with residents paying $2,078 on average for household bills, accounting for 27% of annual income of $92,444. The Cost of Bills Index (COBI) for Tiverton is 98, meaning the average cost of bills in this city is 2% below the national average.
Central Falls is the second most affordable city in Rhode Island, with residents paying $2,224 per month on average.
Also on the list of the 10 least expensive cities in Rhode Island are Charlestown ($2,239), Warren ($1,881) and Westerly ($2,281).
10 Most Affordable Rhode Island Cities for Household Bills
| Rank | City | Average Income | Monthly Bill Expense Per Household | Cost of Bills Index (COBI) – Standard | % +/- Than the National Average | Percent of Household Income Used for Bills |
| 19 | Riverside | $82,546 | $2,379 | 112 | 12% higher | 35% |
| 20 | Cranston | $83,949 | $2,368 | 111 | 11% higher | 34% |
| 21 | East Providence | $60,343 | $2,357 | 111 | 11% higher | 47% |
| 22 | Woonsocket | $54,483 | $2,336 | 110 | 10% higher | 51% |
| 23 | Pawtucket | $63,245 | $2,318 | 109 | 9% higher | 44% |
| 24 | Westerly | $89,243 | $2,311 | 109 | 9% higher | 31% |
| 25 | Warren | $81,575 | $2,281 | 107 | 7% higher | 34% |
| 26 | Charlestown | $103,182 | $2,239 | 105 | 5% higher | 26% |
| 27 | Central Falls | $43,092 | $2,224 | 105 | 5% higher | 62% |
| 28 | Tiverton | $92,444 | $2,078 | 98 | 2% lower | 27% |
*Household Bill Pay Expense averages shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).
Some individuals might be considering moving from a more expensive city to a less expensive one. For those making such decisions, doxoINSIGHTS can be a valuable resource. It allows consumers to compare household expenses in Rhode Island with average bills in various cities and states nationwide.