Providence wins overall by ~38% (COL index)
Cost of living: Providence vs Los Angeles (2026)
A $64,500 salary in Providence buys roughly what $103,319 does in Los Angeles (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$19,565/yr
Favoring Providence for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $1,630/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~10 months and still keep ~$196/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Providence Rhode Island | Los Angeles California | Who wins | Your impact at $65K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,400Wins | $2,200 | Providence wins +$800/mo | $9,600/yr saves in Providence |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,800Wins | $2,800 | Providence wins +$1,000/mo | $12,000/yr saves in Providence |
| 2BR rent/mo | $2,400Wins | $3,800 | Providence wins +$1,400/mo | $16,800/yr saves in Providence |
| Median home price | $370KWins | $850K | Providence wins +$480K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 105Better | 108 | Providence wins +3 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $16Better | $18 | Providence wins +$2/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $65Wins | $75 | Providence wins +$10/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $75Wins | $100 | Providence wins +$25/mo | $300/yr saves in Providence |
| Gas price/gal | $3.40Wins | $4.50 | Providence wins +$1.10 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $168Wins | $195 | Providence wins +$27/mo | $324/yr saves in Providence |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $195 | $145Wins | Los wins −$50/mo | $600/yr saves in Los |
| Internet/mo | $68Better | $70 | Providence wins +$2/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $58K | $71KWins | Los wins +$13K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 6.0%Wins | 9.3% | Providence wins +3.3 pp | $2,129/yr saves in Providence |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 7.0%Wins | 10.3% | Providence wins +3.3 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $16.00Better | $17.00 | Providence wins +$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $48Wins | $55 | Providence wins +$7/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $7.00Wins | $8.00 | Providence wins +$1.00 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 108Wins | 173 | Providence wins +65 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 72Better | 68 | Providence wins -4 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Turn ~$2,124/yr tax difference into cash back
Providence fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Providence.
High-yield savings
Park ~$12,000/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
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Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Providence cheaper than Los Angeles?
Yes. Providence is 38% cheaper than Los Angeles based on overall cost of living indices (108 vs 173, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Providence vs Los Angeles?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Providence is $1,800/month and in Los Angeles is $2,800/month. Providence is cheaper by 36%.
How much do I need to earn in Los Angeles to match a $75,000 salary in Providence?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $120,139/year in Los Angeles to match a $75,000 salary in Providence. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Providence or Los Angeles?
Providence has the lower state income tax rate at 6% vs 9.3%. The difference is 3.3 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Providence to Los Angeles?
It depends on your priorities. Providence offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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Salary equivalent: Providence ↔ Los Angeles
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