Providence vs Long Beach: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Providence, Rhode Island compare to Long Beach, California? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Providence is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 59% lower in Providence compared to Long Beach, while rent is 29% lower. State income tax is 5.99% in RI vs 13.3% in CA.
| Metric | Providence, RI | Long Beach, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $293,000 | $709,700 | -58.7% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,214 | $1,698 | -28.5% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $61,365 | $78,995 | -22.3% |
| Per Capita Income | $34,521 | $39,589 | -12.8% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 6.0% | 13.3% | -55.0% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 7.0% | 8.7% | -19.4% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 189,715 | 462,293 | -59.0% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Providence
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Long Beach
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Providence costs $293,000 compared to $709,700 in Long Beach — a 59% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,214/mo in Providence vs $1,698/mo in Long Beach.
- Income: Median household income is $61,365 in Providence and $78,995 in Long Beach.
- Taxes: State income tax is 5.99% in Rhode Island vs 13.3% in California.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).