The 13th and smallest state in the US is saturated in history and the beauty of natural land and sea. Rhode Island, officially known as The Ocean State but affectionately known as Little Rhody, is home to just over one million people and has a relatively high cost of living.

But just how high is high? And what does that mean for everyday living essentials? Here to break Rhode Island’s cost of living down into more tangible terms like food costs and home prices is

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How high is the cost of living in Rhode Island?

Though there can be many inexpensive East Coast places to plant your roots, Rhode Island is not likely to be one of them. With a cost of living index (COLI) of 117.2, it easily surpasses the national average.

Consider it like this: the national average cost of living index sits firmly at 100. States with cost of living indexes higher than 100, like Rhode Island or the much more expensive Hawaii (117.2 and 193.3 respectively), are considered pricier than average. Any state with a cost of living index lower than 100 requires a lower income to make ends meet, like

Mississippi

, which comes in at just 83.3.

Those numbers taken at face value can seem a bit obtuse and abstract, so we’ll break Rhode Island’s COLI down into real costs like food, healthcare, housing, transportation, and more.

Food: $325 to $954 per month

One of the top needs for survival is food, so let’s talk about what you can expect to pay for your monthly grocery bill.

According to MIT’s

Living Wage Calculator

, a single adult in Rhode Island will pay around $3,891 a year, or $324.25 a month, at the grocery store. If you’re supporting a family of four, you’ll see a grocery bill nearing $11,446 a year, or $953.83 a month. For comparison, the average 2020 US household was found to dole out about $411 monthly for their groceries.

Keep in mind that these are just basic necessity grocery costs. These figures do not represent your food costs when they include those fun extras like date night dinners, bestie brunches, happy hour drinks, or morning coffee stops.

Healthcare: $417 per month

Rhode Island residents may find a bit of a financial break in their healthcare costs—Rhode Island was found to have the 7th best healthcare system in the country in 2019 and it’s cheaper than the national average.

Though healthcare isn’t really “affordable” anywhere in the US, Rhode Island’s average healthcare price of $417 per individual per month is more affordable than the US average of $477 per month.

But keep in mind that healthcare costs come with huge variations depending on your personal circumstances. Factors like your age, your existing health conditions, your location, what plan you need, and even your tobacco use will impact the amount you’ll pay in healthcare prices.

Housing: $941 to $1,971 per month

A main contributor to Rhode Island’s high cost of living is its housing costs. While the typical home value in the US comes in around $354,649, Rhode Island’s typical home value is $443,482.

Of course, the type of housing you live in will affect how much income you’ll need to put towards your home expenses:

Median monthly mortgage payment: $1,837

Average studio rent: $941

Average one-bedroom rent: $1,050

Average two-bedroom rent: $1,272

Average three-bedroom rent: $1,604

Average four-bedroom rent: $1,971

Bear in mind that these prices are simply averages for the entire state rather than definite prices.

Many towns across Rhode Island stick relatively close to these figures, but you’ll be shelling out more if you want to live in places like

Newport

Portsmouth

. The average two-bedroom rent price in both of these cities comes to $1,705 per month.

Transportation: $354 to $964 per month

It’s true that Rhode Island is only 48 miles long and 36 miles wide, but transportation costs are still a significant factor in the cost of living there. On average, Rhode Islanders can expect to pay between $354 and $964 per month on getting around.

Here are some of the top transportation costs for a clearer idea of where that money goes:

Average annual cost of car insurance in Rhode Island: $2,986 to $3,554 (

liability

only vs.

comprehensive and collision insurance

added)

Monthly Wave Pass (public transit): $70

Average commute time in Providence Metro Area: 26.4 minutes

Average cost of a gallon of gas: $3.73

MORE:

Rhode Island car insurance laws

How much you need to live comfortably in Rhode Island: $37,019 to $102,430 per year

Taking all these major living expenses into account, a single adult in Rhode Island would need to be bringing in $37,019 annually, or $17.80 per hour to meet their needs. The living wage for a family of four reaches $102,430 annually, or $24.62 per hour.

Since Rhode Island’s minimum wage across the demographic board is $12.25 per hour, it may be difficult for many to reach the living wage. Plus, the “living wage” only includes the absolute necessities and doesn’t leave room for the extras! Here are some non-essential expenses you may also wish to account for:

Average cost of a date: $164.57 (US average: $116)

Average cost of a night at the movies: $12.33/per person (US average: $10.61)

Average cost of a Big Mac: $4.47 (US average: $3.99)

Average sales tax: 7.00%(US average: 5.09%)

Not everyone will need these extras to live happy and fulfilling lives—we all live with different priorities. It’s totally possible to live in Rhode Island for less than these base figures, but in general, this is what Rhode Island residents spend to make ends meet.

The Rhode Island cities with the lowest cost of living

Nearly anywhere you go in Rhode Island will have a higher cost of living than the national average, but that doesn’t mean that every area will cost you top dollar.

Happily, there are several cities in Rhode Island that have a COLI below the state average:

Central Falls

(COLI: 106): Home to the US’s first ever chocolate mill and Rhode Island’s only majority-minority city, this town has quite a positive (and affordable) image.

Pawtucket

(COLI: 108): Another one of the state’s most affordable cities, this town enjoys vibrant arts and business communities.

Providence

(COLI: 109): That’s right! The state capital, home to Brown University and gorgeous old homes, is also among the more affordable cities in the state.

Valley Falls (COLI: 115): This town is great for renters—they’ll pay the 4th smallest portion of their income towards their rent in the state.

Warwick

(COLI: 115): Some of the cheapest home values, best BBQ, and natural beauty exist in this affordable Rhode Island town.

Take note of these five cities if you’re considering the move across Rhode Island’s charming borders on a budget!

MORE:

A guide to national parks in Rhode Island

How to easily find home and car insurance in Rhode Island

Home values and car insurance prices are some of the more significant players in Rhode Island’s high cost of living, it’s true.

Rhode Island drivers will typically pay about $249 a month for their basic liability car insurance, while the rest of the country typically only spends about $136 a month.

This shouldn’t have to mean that you’re stuck paying outrageous rates, though. No matter what town or city of Little Rhody is calling your name,

Jerry

can easily help you find the best rates and coverage for your home and auto insurance.

It’s this simple: download the Jerry app or go to getjerry.com. A

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