B-
10%
Overall NAT. AVG.
10%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
13%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Pawtucket Rhode Island National
Cost of living110114100
Goods & Services110110100
Groceries102102100
Health care101101100
Housing113124100
Transportation9999100
Utilities131131100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Pawtucket, RI

Understanding the cost of living in Pawtucket can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Pawtucket cost of living index is 110, which is 10% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.

Is Pawtucket Affordable?

Is Pawtucket affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Pawtucket, for instance, where the median home price falls 20.3% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 3.9% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Pawtucket flaunting a median household income of $79,150, 2.7% lower than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Pawtucket?

Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In Pawtucket, the housing index is 13% higher than the national average.

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In Pawtucket, the healthcare costs are 0.7% higher than the national average.

Groceries: Grocery costs have continued to increase significantly over the last 2-3 years. In some markets the cost of food has gone up by more than 20% in that period. While other markets have managed to see only a moderate uptick. These food costs can have a major impact on the cost of living in any area. In Pawtucket, the groceries index is 1.5% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Pawtucket displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Pawtucket is 3% lower than the Rhode Island average
  • The cost of living in Pawtucket is 10% higher than the national average
  • Pawtucket housing is 13% higher than the national average
  • Rhode Island general sales tax is 37% higher than the national average
  • Rhode Island state income tax is 44% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Pawtucket

See all the best places to live around Pawtucket

Compare Pawtucket, RI Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$116,127$9,677$2,709$3,484
      Renters$55,748$4,646$1,301$1,673
      A good indicator of the general affordability of housing in Pawtucket, RI, is the percentage of monthly income that should be spent on housing expenses, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Generally speaking, no more than 28 percent of your total gross income should be spent on your housing expenses and not more than 36 percent of your gross income on total expenses, including debts. In Pawtucket, the median monthly income is $116,127 for those who own their own homes. Under the standard rule, that income level would allow for $2,709 to be budgeted for housing expenses each month, at the most. Renters, on the other hand, earn about $55,748, per the median income in the area. That would allow for renters to spend up to $1,301 on monthly rental expenses.

      Rhode Island Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Rhode Island 7% 7%

      Rhode Island Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Rhode Island 3.75% 5.99%

      Goods & Services

      Item Pawtucket National avg. Difference
      Haircut $34.50$27.6224.9%
      Beauty Salon $60.53$51.1118.4%
      Toothpaste $4.06$4.090.8%
      Shampoo $1.70$1.5410.2%
      Movie $16.39$12.8827.3%
      Yoga $24.00$19.6622.1%

      Groceries

      Item Pawtucket National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $7.45$7.703.3%
      Fried Chicken $1.54$1.667.4%
      Milk $4.79$4.731.2%
      Potatoes $5.11$5.262.8%
      Pizza $12.58$12.761.4%
      Beer $10.78$10.552.2%

      Health Care

      Item Pawtucket National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $118.58$140.0615.3%
      Doctor $175.33$153.8214.0%
      Dentist $117.56$123.154.5%
      Ibuprofen $12.05$11.732.7%
      Lipitor $21.98$23.616.9%

      Housing

      Item Pawtucket National avg. Difference
      Home Price $392,982.00$326,622.0020.3%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,220.26$2,480.2510.5%
      Apartment Rent $1,387.00$1,444.003.9%

      Transportation

      Item Pawtucket National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $2.97$3.062.7%
      Tire Balancing $68.09$65.214.4%

      Utilities

      Item Pawtucket National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $327.71$220.1248.9%
      Phone $199.66$195.712.0%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Central Falls, RI20,1751065.7%
      Woonsocket, RI42,7181088.0%
      Providence, RI185,55411211.5%
      East Providence, RI48,84911313.0%
      Fall River, MA91,43711514.6%
      Pawtucket, RI74,31111010.4%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Wood Buffalo, AB74,298n/a 
      Maple Grove, MN74,29111717.3%
      Bowling Green, KY74,252955.1%
      Sault Ste. Marie, ON74,249n/a 
      Redlands, CA74,42914645.8%
      Pawtucket, RI74,31111010.4%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.