Head to head
Providence, RI vs Springfield, MA
Springfield is cheaper — estimated essentials for a single person run about $39/mo less, and living comfortably there takes roughly $1,000 less in annual salary (taxes included).
It flips for a family. For two adults with a pre-schooler and a school-age child, Providence is the cheaper of the two — rent scales to household size using each city's own bedroom spread, and childcare varies even more sharply between cities than rent does.
| Metric | Providence63 | Springfield45 |
|---|---|---|
| Est. monthly cost (single) | $4,282 | $4,243 |
| Est. monthly cost (family of 4, incl. childcare) | $9,658 | $10,225 |
| Salary for comfort | $79,000/yr | $80,000/yr |
| Typical rent | $1,729 | $1,734 |
| Median home value | $322,800 | $222,700 |
| Median household income | $66,772 | $51,339 |
| Unemployment | 3.9% | 6.7% |
| Housing score | 39 | 37 |
| Jobs score | 49 | 23 |
| Safety score | 66 | 25 |
| Climate score | 90 | 73 |
| Amenities score | 44 | 23 |
| Population | 190.2K | 154.8K |
| Summer high / winter low | 83° / 21° | 83° / 13° |
Fit scores use the reference profile (single, $6,700/mo gross, default weights). Green marks the better value per row.
Providence, RI
Springfield, MA