Barnstable, MA vs Providence, RI: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Providence, RI is 3.5% more expensive than Barnstable, MA (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Barnstable works out to about $77,600 in Providence, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 15.4% more in Providence. Goods are 0.1% higher and other services 1.1% higher.
- Typical asking rent is $2,166 a month in Providence and $2,578 in Barnstable, $4,944 a year less in Providence (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $522,000 in Providence and $757,000 in Barnstable.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (3.2%).
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Housing drives the gap: 15.4% higher in Providence than in Barnstable
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Barnstable, MA
- Providence, RI
All items Barnstable, MA: 98.4 Providence, RI: 101.8
Goods Barnstable, MA: 97.0 Providence, RI: 97.1
Housing (rents) Barnstable, MA: 90.0 Providence, RI: 103.9
Utilities Barnstable, MA: 158.5 Providence, RI: 148.8
Other services Barnstable, MA: 101.2 Providence, RI: 102.3
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Barnstable, MA | Providence, RI | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 98.4 | 101.8 |
| Goods | 97.0 | 97.1 |
| Housing (rents) | 90.0 | 103.9 |
| Utilities | 158.5 | 148.8 |
| Other services | 101.2 | 102.3 |
| Category | Barnstable | Providence | Providence vs Barnstable |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 98.4 | 101.8 | +3.5% |
| Goods | 97.0 | 97.1 | +0.1% |
| Housing (rents) | 90.0 | 103.9 | +15.4% |
| Utilities | 158.5 | 148.8 | −6.1% |
| Other services | 101.2 | 102.3 | +1.1% |
| Typical asking rent | $2,578 | $2,166 | −16.0% |
| Typical home value | $757,000 | $522,000 | −31.1% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Barnstable | $75,000 | $77,600 | +3.5% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Barnstable and Providence has widened since 2008: 0.9 points then, 3.4 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Barnstable, MA
- Providence, RI
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Barnstable, MA | Providence, RI | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 102.8 | 103.7 |
| 2009 | 102.7 | 103.8 |
| 2010 | 105.2 | 101.8 |
| 2011 | 99.4 | 101.3 |
| 2012 | 100.9 | 100.3 |
| 2013 | 100.0 | 101.6 |
| 2014 | 104.5 | 100.5 |
| 2015 | 105.7 | 102.3 |
| 2016 | 105.8 | 101.9 |
| 2017 | 105.8 | 103.1 |
| 2018 | 101.1 | 101.4 |
| 2019 | 105.2 | 101.9 |
| 2020 | 101.3 | 101.7 |
| 2021 | 101.4 | 101.4 |
| 2022 | 108.8 | 103.6 |
| 2023 | 106.5 | 101.5 |
| 2024 | 98.4 | 101.8 |
Goods
- Barnstable, MA
- Providence, RI
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Barnstable, MA | Providence, RI | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 99.8 | 100.4 |
| 2009 | 101.1 | 100.7 |
| 2010 | 98.0 | 98.3 |
| 2011 | 97.9 | 99.1 |
| 2012 | 97.4 | 98.8 |
| 2013 | 97.3 | 98.5 |
| 2014 | 97.6 | 99.0 |
| 2015 | 98.8 | 99.9 |
| 2016 | 98.3 | 99.9 |
| 2017 | 99.5 | 100.6 |
| 2018 | 100.8 | 100.8 |
| 2019 | 97.9 | 98.6 |
| 2020 | 98.8 | 98.3 |
| 2021 | 96.9 | 97.8 |
| 2022 | 100.8 | 101.0 |
| 2023 | 98.8 | 98.4 |
| 2024 | 97.0 | 97.1 |
Housing (rents)
- Barnstable, MA
- Providence, RI
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Barnstable, MA | Providence, RI | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 106.8 | 112.5 |
| 2009 | 104.9 | 113.7 |
| 2010 | 127.3 | 111.5 |
| 2011 | 99.3 | 110.3 |
| 2012 | 107.0 | 104.7 |
| 2013 | 97.6 | 107.4 |
| 2014 | 126.8 | 108.7 |
| 2015 | 126.0 | 110.3 |
| 2016 | 123.3 | 101.9 |
| 2017 | 119.3 | 104.6 |
| 2018 | 101.7 | 105.3 |
| 2019 | 124.9 | 106.1 |
| 2020 | 100.4 | 101.9 |
| 2021 | 107.9 | 105.8 |
| 2022 | 125.2 | 98.3 |
| 2023 | 124.2 | 99.0 |
| 2024 | 90.0 | 103.9 |
Utilities
- Barnstable, MA
- Providence, RI
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Barnstable, MA | Providence, RI | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 139.4 | 140.2 |
| 2009 | 137.1 | 139.3 |
| 2010 | 122.5 | 125.4 |
| 2011 | 121.5 | 122.2 |
| 2012 | 119.4 | 119.7 |
| 2013 | 123.6 | 120.4 |
| 2014 | 127.9 | 122.3 |
| 2015 | 133.8 | 127.5 |
| 2016 | 132.8 | 131.7 |
| 2017 | 137.0 | 135.6 |
| 2018 | 147.6 | 140.0 |
| 2019 | 144.7 | 140.3 |
| 2020 | 155.0 | 156.2 |
| 2021 | 148.9 | 146.5 |
| 2022 | 149.1 | 137.3 |
| 2023 | 158.7 | 147.3 |
| 2024 | 158.5 | 148.8 |
Other services
- Barnstable, MA
- Providence, RI
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Barnstable, MA | Providence, RI | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 101.3 | 101.8 |
| 2009 | 101.4 | 101.4 |
| 2010 | 99.8 | 100.2 |
| 2011 | 99.4 | 99.4 |
| 2012 | 99.8 | 99.3 |
| 2013 | 101.9 | 101.0 |
| 2014 | 98.7 | 98.4 |
| 2015 | 101.4 | 100.7 |
| 2016 | 102.1 | 102.1 |
| 2017 | 102.9 | 102.9 |
| 2018 | 99.5 | 99.4 |
| 2019 | 100.9 | 101.3 |
| 2020 | 101.6 | 101.9 |
| 2021 | 99.9 | 100.8 |
| 2022 | 105.6 | 105.5 |
| 2023 | 102.1 | 102.5 |
| 2024 | 101.2 | 102.3 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $2,166 in Providence vs $2,578 in Barnstable
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Barnstable, MA
- Providence, RI
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Barnstable, MA | Providence, RI | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | – | $1,071 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | – | $1,078 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | – | $1,078 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | – | $1,090 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | – | $1,120 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | – | $1,121 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | – | $1,136 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | – | $1,151 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | – | $1,187 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | – | $1,193 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | – | $1,170 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | – | $1,207 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | – | $1,246 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | – | $1,269 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | – | $1,262 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | – | $1,264 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,587 | $1,304 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,520 | $1,334 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,534 | $1,334 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,708 | $1,325 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,727 | $1,376 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,695 | $1,384 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,786 | $1,416 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,784 | $1,440 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,833 | $1,485 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,978 | $1,555 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,979 | $1,598 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $2,002 | $1,614 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $2,152 | $1,673 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $2,149 | $1,756 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $2,252 | $1,769 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $2,197 | $1,773 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $2,285 | $1,804 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $2,351 | $1,877 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $2,359 | $1,892 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $2,328 | $1,892 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $2,429 | $1,941 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $2,441 | $1,988 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $2,442 | $1,992 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $2,428 | $2,002 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $2,492 | $2,044 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $2,532 | $2,095 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $2,526 | $2,079 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $2,489 | $2,102 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $2,596 | $2,142 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $2,599 | $2,166 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $2,578 | $2,166 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $522,000 in Providence vs $757,000 in Barnstable
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Barnstable, MA
- Providence, RI
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Barnstable, MA | Providence, RI | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $367K | $244K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $371K | $247K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $376K | $250K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $380K | $255K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $383K | $259K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $385K | $263K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $387K | $266K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $393K | $271K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $399K | $276K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $405K | $282K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $410K | $286K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $415K | $290K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $421K | $294K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $428K | $299K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $435K | $304K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $435K | $305K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $437K | $307K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $441K | $311K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $440K | $313K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $442K | $316K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $447K | $324K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $450K | $327K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $459K | $334K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $487K | $352K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $519K | $369K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $564K | $389K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $585K | $394K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $596K | $395K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $633K | $415K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $670K | $436K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $674K | $436K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $670K | $433K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $666K | $434K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $685K | $446K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $706K | $457K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $717K | $465K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $718K | $471K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $733K | $482K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $742K | $491K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $742K | $498K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $743K | $501K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $740K | $501K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $736K | $504K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $742K | $510K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $748K | $515K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $749K | $517K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $757K | $522K | $366K |
More about each city
- Cost of living in Barnstable, MA
- Cost of living in Providence, RI
- Reverse: moving from Providence to Barnstable
Related comparisons
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.