| Index | Pawtucket | Rhode Island | National |
| Cost of living | 108 | 110 | 100 |
| Groceries | 106 | 103 | 100 |
| Health care | 101 | 103 | 100 |
| Housing | 113 | 124 | 100 |
| Transportation | 104 | 104 | 100 |
| Utilities | 109 | 106 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 110 | 107 | 100 |
| Household Items | 106 | 105 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 104 | 106 | 100 |
Knowing the cost of living in Pawtucket allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Pawtucket stands at 108, marking it 8% higher than the national average.
The cost of living in Pawtucket aligns closely with the national average when compared to other cities across the nation. Everyday essentials such as groceries, household expenses, health care and utility bills are priced at a level consistent with the average in similar urban areas. Pawtucket residents can anticipate that their daily expenses won't be significantly higher than those in an average city, ensuring that the cost of living remains manageable.
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.
Housing: When everyone's vying for homes in popular areas, it drives up property prices and rents, making the overall cost of living surge. On the flip side, in less sought-after locales, where housing demand is low, prices tend to dip, resulting in a more economical cost of living. In Pawtucket, the housing index comes in at 13% higher than the national average.
Utilities: Much like any other costs, utility expenses can exhibit considerable variations, influenced by factors such as climate, available energy sources, geographic location and state regulations. The costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can vary significantly depending on the city or state in question. In Pawtucket, the utilities index stands at 8.5% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Pawtucket, the general sales tax rate starts at 7%, and income tax rates begin at 3.75%.
The Pawtucket cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| 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 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Rhode Island | 7% | 7% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Rhode Island | 3.75% | 5.99% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Central Falls, RI | 20,175 | 103 | 3.0% |
| Woonsocket, RI | 42,718 | 105 | 4.7% |
| Providence, RI | 185,554 | 109 | 9.0% |
| East Providence, RI | 48,849 | 108 | 8.4% |
| Fall River, MA | 91,437 | 119 | 19.1% |
| Pawtucket, RI | 74,311 | 108 | 7.7% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Wood Buffalo, AB | 74,298 | n/a | |
| Maple Grove, MN | 74,291 | 119 | 19.5% |
| Bowling Green, KY | 74,252 | 94 | 5.8% |
| Sault Ste. Marie, ON | 74,249 | n/a | |
| Redlands, CA | 74,429 | 144 | 44.2% |
| Pawtucket, RI | 74,311 | 108 | 7.7% |
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