Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
44% cheaper
Providence is 44% more affordable than Brooklyn. A $75,000 salary in Brooklyn is equivalent to $42,308 in Providence.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: New York salaries · Rhode Island salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Brooklyn has a housing index of 325 while Providence sits at 118 (national average = 100). The median home in Brooklyn costs $780,000 compared to $310,000 in Providence, a difference of $470,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $2,900 in Brooklyn versus $1,500 in Providence.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Brooklyn scores 108 while Providence scores 105.
Healthcare costs in Brooklyn (108) are lower than Providence (112).
Median household income in Brooklyn is $65,294 compared to $47,012 in Providence. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Providence.
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