Springfield, 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 5.9% more expensive than Springfield, MA (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Springfield works out to about $79,500 in Providence, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 37.0% 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 $1,963 in Springfield, $2,436 a year more in Providence (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $522,000 in Providence and $372,000 in Springfield.
- The gap has widened since 2019, when Providence was 4.1% more expensive than Springfield.
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: 37.0% higher in Providence than in Springfield
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Springfield, MA
- Providence, RI
All items Springfield, MA: 96.1 Providence, RI: 101.8
Goods Springfield, MA: 97.0 Providence, RI: 97.1
Housing (rents) Springfield, MA: 75.8 Providence, RI: 103.9
Utilities Springfield, MA: 155.0 Providence, RI: 148.8
Other services Springfield, 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
| Springfield, MA | Providence, RI | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 96.1 | 101.8 |
| Goods | 97.0 | 97.1 |
| Housing (rents) | 75.8 | 103.9 |
| Utilities | 155.0 | 148.8 |
| Other services | 101.2 | 102.3 |
| Category | Springfield | Providence | Providence vs Springfield |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 96.1 | 101.8 | +5.9% |
| Goods | 97.0 | 97.1 | +0.1% |
| Housing (rents) | 75.8 | 103.9 | +37.0% |
| Utilities | 155.0 | 148.8 | −4.0% |
| Other services | 101.2 | 102.3 | +1.1% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,963 | $2,166 | +10.3% |
| Typical home value | $372,000 | $522,000 | +40.2% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Springfield | $75,000 | $79,500 | +5.9% |
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 Springfield and Providence has widened since 2008: 4.2 points then, 5.7 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Springfield, 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
| Springfield, MA | Providence, RI | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 99.5 | 103.7 |
| 2009 | 101.8 | 103.8 |
| 2010 | 98.7 | 101.8 |
| 2011 | 97.7 | 101.3 |
| 2012 | 97.8 | 100.3 |
| 2013 | 101.3 | 101.6 |
| 2014 | 98.9 | 100.5 |
| 2015 | 99.7 | 102.3 |
| 2016 | 99.4 | 101.9 |
| 2017 | 99.4 | 103.1 |
| 2018 | 97.4 | 101.4 |
| 2019 | 97.8 | 101.9 |
| 2020 | 99.1 | 101.7 |
| 2021 | 97.7 | 101.4 |
| 2022 | 98.9 | 103.6 |
| 2023 | 98.1 | 101.5 |
| 2024 | 96.1 | 101.8 |
Goods
- Springfield, MA
- Providence, RI
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Springfield, MA | Providence, RI | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 99.9 | 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 | 98.4 | 99.9 |
| 2017 | 99.6 | 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)
- Springfield, MA
- Providence, RI
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Springfield, MA | Providence, RI | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 86.2 | 112.5 |
| 2009 | 99.4 | 113.7 |
| 2010 | 92.6 | 111.5 |
| 2011 | 87.9 | 110.3 |
| 2012 | 87.9 | 104.7 |
| 2013 | 104.2 | 107.4 |
| 2014 | 97.7 | 108.7 |
| 2015 | 90.7 | 110.3 |
| 2016 | 87.3 | 101.9 |
| 2017 | 82.3 | 104.6 |
| 2018 | 78.4 | 105.3 |
| 2019 | 81.8 | 106.1 |
| 2020 | 86.2 | 101.9 |
| 2021 | 85.5 | 105.8 |
| 2022 | 73.5 | 98.3 |
| 2023 | 78.5 | 99.0 |
| 2024 | 75.8 | 103.9 |
Utilities
- Springfield, MA
- Providence, RI
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Springfield, MA | Providence, RI | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 140.0 | 140.2 |
| 2009 | 138.5 | 139.3 |
| 2010 | 121.4 | 125.4 |
| 2011 | 120.8 | 122.2 |
| 2012 | 117.0 | 119.7 |
| 2013 | 121.6 | 120.4 |
| 2014 | 124.2 | 122.3 |
| 2015 | 130.0 | 127.5 |
| 2016 | 129.9 | 131.7 |
| 2017 | 135.2 | 135.6 |
| 2018 | 142.9 | 140.0 |
| 2019 | 141.3 | 140.3 |
| 2020 | 155.7 | 156.2 |
| 2021 | 147.4 | 146.5 |
| 2022 | 145.0 | 137.3 |
| 2023 | 154.1 | 147.3 |
| 2024 | 155.0 | 148.8 |
Other services
- Springfield, MA
- Providence, RI
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Springfield, MA | Providence, RI | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 101.3 | 101.8 |
| 2009 | 101.4 | 101.4 |
| 2010 | 99.9 | 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 | 102.2 | 102.1 |
| 2017 | 103.0 | 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 $1,963 in Springfield
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Springfield, 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
| Springfield, MA | Providence, RI | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $1,050 | $1,071 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $1,066 | $1,078 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $1,056 | $1,078 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $1,068 | $1,090 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $1,086 | $1,120 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $1,096 | $1,121 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $1,120 | $1,136 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $1,113 | $1,151 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $1,107 | $1,187 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $1,140 | $1,193 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $1,145 | $1,170 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $1,151 | $1,207 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $1,158 | $1,246 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $1,178 | $1,269 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $1,213 | $1,262 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $1,199 | $1,264 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,228 | $1,304 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,240 | $1,334 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,241 | $1,334 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,249 | $1,325 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,286 | $1,376 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,290 | $1,384 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,312 | $1,416 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,338 | $1,440 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,385 | $1,485 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,391 | $1,555 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,425 | $1,598 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,449 | $1,614 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,494 | $1,673 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,558 | $1,756 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,569 | $1,769 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,636 | $1,773 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,625 | $1,804 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,684 | $1,877 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,704 | $1,892 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,732 | $1,892 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,748 | $1,941 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,792 | $1,988 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,805 | $1,992 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,823 | $2,002 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,833 | $2,044 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,870 | $2,095 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,893 | $2,079 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,921 | $2,102 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,931 | $2,142 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,950 | $2,166 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,963 | $2,166 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $522,000 in Providence vs $372,000 in Springfield
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Springfield, 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
| Springfield, MA | Providence, RI | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $199K | $244K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $201K | $247K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $203K | $250K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $205K | $255K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $206K | $259K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $208K | $263K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $210K | $266K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $212K | $271K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $214K | $276K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $216K | $282K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $218K | $286K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $221K | $290K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $223K | $294K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $226K | $299K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $229K | $304K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $230K | $305K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $231K | $307K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $234K | $311K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $235K | $313K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $239K | $316K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $242K | $324K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $245K | $327K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $251K | $334K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $263K | $352K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $273K | $369K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $285K | $389K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $289K | $394K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $289K | $395K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $302K | $415K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $316K | $436K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $318K | $436K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $316K | $433K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $318K | $434K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $327K | $446K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $334K | $457K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $338K | $465K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $341K | $471K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $348K | $482K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $354K | $491K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $358K | $498K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $360K | $501K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $359K | $501K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $360K | $504K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $364K | $510K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $368K | $515K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $370K | $517K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $372K | $522K | $366K |
More about each city
- Cost of living in Springfield, MA
- Cost of living in Providence, RI
- Reverse: moving from Providence to Springfield
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.