Providence, RI vs Springfield, MA: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Springfield, MA is 5.6% less expensive than Providence, RI (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Providence works out to about $70,800 in Springfield, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 27.0% less in Springfield. Goods are 0.1% lower and other services 1.1% lower.
- Typical asking rent is $1,963 a month in Springfield and $2,166 in Providence, $2,436 a year less in Springfield (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $372,000 in Springfield and $522,000 in Providence.
- The gap has widened since 2019, when Springfield was 3.9% less expensive than Providence.
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: 27.0% lower in Springfield than in Providence
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Providence, RI
- Springfield, MA
All items Providence, RI: 101.8 Springfield, MA: 96.1
Goods Providence, RI: 97.1 Springfield, MA: 97.0
Housing (rents) Providence, RI: 103.9 Springfield, MA: 75.8
Utilities Providence, RI: 148.8 Springfield, MA: 155.0
Other services Providence, RI: 102.3 Springfield, MA: 101.2
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Providence, RI | Springfield, MA | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 101.8 | 96.1 |
| Goods | 97.1 | 97.0 |
| Housing (rents) | 103.9 | 75.8 |
| Utilities | 148.8 | 155.0 |
| Other services | 102.3 | 101.2 |
| Category | Providence | Springfield | Springfield vs Providence |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 101.8 | 96.1 | −5.6% |
| Goods | 97.1 | 97.0 | −0.1% |
| Housing (rents) | 103.9 | 75.8 | −27.0% |
| Utilities | 148.8 | 155.0 | +4.2% |
| Other services | 102.3 | 101.2 | −1.1% |
| Typical asking rent | $2,166 | $1,963 | −9.4% |
| Typical home value | $522,000 | $372,000 | −28.7% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Providence | $75,000 | $70,800 | −5.6% |
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 Providence and Springfield has widened since 2008: 4.2 points then, 5.7 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Providence, RI
- Springfield, MA
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Providence, RI | Springfield, MA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 103.7 | 99.5 |
| 2009 | 103.8 | 101.8 |
| 2010 | 101.8 | 98.7 |
| 2011 | 101.3 | 97.7 |
| 2012 | 100.3 | 97.8 |
| 2013 | 101.6 | 101.3 |
| 2014 | 100.5 | 98.9 |
| 2015 | 102.3 | 99.7 |
| 2016 | 101.9 | 99.4 |
| 2017 | 103.1 | 99.4 |
| 2018 | 101.4 | 97.4 |
| 2019 | 101.9 | 97.8 |
| 2020 | 101.7 | 99.1 |
| 2021 | 101.4 | 97.7 |
| 2022 | 103.6 | 98.9 |
| 2023 | 101.5 | 98.1 |
| 2024 | 101.8 | 96.1 |
Goods
- Providence, RI
- Springfield, MA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Providence, RI | Springfield, MA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 100.4 | 99.9 |
| 2009 | 100.7 | 101.1 |
| 2010 | 98.3 | 98.0 |
| 2011 | 99.1 | 97.9 |
| 2012 | 98.8 | 97.4 |
| 2013 | 98.5 | 97.3 |
| 2014 | 99.0 | 97.6 |
| 2015 | 99.9 | 98.8 |
| 2016 | 99.9 | 98.4 |
| 2017 | 100.6 | 99.6 |
| 2018 | 100.8 | 100.8 |
| 2019 | 98.6 | 97.9 |
| 2020 | 98.3 | 98.8 |
| 2021 | 97.8 | 96.9 |
| 2022 | 101.0 | 100.8 |
| 2023 | 98.4 | 98.8 |
| 2024 | 97.1 | 97.0 |
Housing (rents)
- Providence, RI
- Springfield, MA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Providence, RI | Springfield, MA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 112.5 | 86.2 |
| 2009 | 113.7 | 99.4 |
| 2010 | 111.5 | 92.6 |
| 2011 | 110.3 | 87.9 |
| 2012 | 104.7 | 87.9 |
| 2013 | 107.4 | 104.2 |
| 2014 | 108.7 | 97.7 |
| 2015 | 110.3 | 90.7 |
| 2016 | 101.9 | 87.3 |
| 2017 | 104.6 | 82.3 |
| 2018 | 105.3 | 78.4 |
| 2019 | 106.1 | 81.8 |
| 2020 | 101.9 | 86.2 |
| 2021 | 105.8 | 85.5 |
| 2022 | 98.3 | 73.5 |
| 2023 | 99.0 | 78.5 |
| 2024 | 103.9 | 75.8 |
Utilities
- Providence, RI
- Springfield, MA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Providence, RI | Springfield, MA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 140.2 | 140.0 |
| 2009 | 139.3 | 138.5 |
| 2010 | 125.4 | 121.4 |
| 2011 | 122.2 | 120.8 |
| 2012 | 119.7 | 117.0 |
| 2013 | 120.4 | 121.6 |
| 2014 | 122.3 | 124.2 |
| 2015 | 127.5 | 130.0 |
| 2016 | 131.7 | 129.9 |
| 2017 | 135.6 | 135.2 |
| 2018 | 140.0 | 142.9 |
| 2019 | 140.3 | 141.3 |
| 2020 | 156.2 | 155.7 |
| 2021 | 146.5 | 147.4 |
| 2022 | 137.3 | 145.0 |
| 2023 | 147.3 | 154.1 |
| 2024 | 148.8 | 155.0 |
Other services
- Providence, RI
- Springfield, MA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Providence, RI | Springfield, MA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 101.8 | 101.3 |
| 2009 | 101.4 | 101.4 |
| 2010 | 100.2 | 99.9 |
| 2011 | 99.4 | 99.4 |
| 2012 | 99.3 | 99.8 |
| 2013 | 101.0 | 101.9 |
| 2014 | 98.4 | 98.7 |
| 2015 | 100.7 | 101.4 |
| 2016 | 102.1 | 102.2 |
| 2017 | 102.9 | 103.0 |
| 2018 | 99.4 | 99.5 |
| 2019 | 101.3 | 100.9 |
| 2020 | 101.9 | 101.6 |
| 2021 | 100.8 | 99.9 |
| 2022 | 105.5 | 105.6 |
| 2023 | 102.5 | 102.1 |
| 2024 | 102.3 | 101.2 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,963 in Springfield vs $2,166 in Providence
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Providence, RI
- Springfield, MA
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Providence, RI | Springfield, MA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $1,071 | $1,050 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $1,078 | $1,066 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $1,078 | $1,056 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $1,090 | $1,068 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $1,120 | $1,086 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $1,121 | $1,096 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $1,136 | $1,120 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $1,151 | $1,113 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $1,187 | $1,107 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $1,193 | $1,140 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $1,170 | $1,145 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $1,207 | $1,151 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $1,246 | $1,158 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $1,269 | $1,178 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $1,262 | $1,213 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $1,264 | $1,199 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,304 | $1,228 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,334 | $1,240 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,334 | $1,241 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,325 | $1,249 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,376 | $1,286 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,384 | $1,290 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,416 | $1,312 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,440 | $1,338 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,485 | $1,385 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,555 | $1,391 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,598 | $1,425 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,614 | $1,449 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,673 | $1,494 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,756 | $1,558 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,769 | $1,569 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,773 | $1,636 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,804 | $1,625 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,877 | $1,684 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,892 | $1,704 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,892 | $1,732 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,941 | $1,748 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,988 | $1,792 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,992 | $1,805 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $2,002 | $1,823 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $2,044 | $1,833 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $2,095 | $1,870 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $2,079 | $1,893 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $2,102 | $1,921 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $2,142 | $1,931 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $2,166 | $1,950 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $2,166 | $1,963 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $372,000 in Springfield vs $522,000 in Providence
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Providence, RI
- Springfield, MA
- 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
| Providence, RI | Springfield, MA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $244K | $199K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $247K | $201K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $250K | $203K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $255K | $205K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $259K | $206K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $263K | $208K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $266K | $210K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $271K | $212K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $276K | $214K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $282K | $216K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $286K | $218K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $290K | $221K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $294K | $223K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $299K | $226K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $304K | $229K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $305K | $230K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $307K | $231K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $311K | $234K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $313K | $235K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $316K | $239K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $324K | $242K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $327K | $245K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $334K | $251K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $352K | $263K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $369K | $273K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $389K | $285K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $394K | $289K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $395K | $289K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $415K | $302K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $436K | $316K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $436K | $318K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $433K | $316K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $434K | $318K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $446K | $327K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $457K | $334K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $465K | $338K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $471K | $341K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $482K | $348K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $491K | $354K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $498K | $358K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $501K | $360K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $501K | $359K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $504K | $360K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $510K | $364K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $515K | $368K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $517K | $370K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $522K | $372K | $366K |
More about each city
- Cost of living in Providence, RI
- Cost of living in Springfield, MA
- Reverse: moving from Springfield to Providence
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.