City Comparison
East Providence vs Johnston
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Johnston scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
East Providence
Johnston
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
East Providence is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
14% lower than in Johnston.
Housing costs are a major driver: East Providence's average rent is
20% lower than Johnston's.
| Metric | East Providence | Johnston | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $2,072 | -20% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,595 | $3,022 | -14% |
| Cost Index | 104 | 105 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Johnston offers 6% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Johnston delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in East Providence is estimated at
$58,000 vs $60,000 in Johnston.
| Metric | East Providence | Johnston |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $72,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $60,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,385 idx | 68,571 idx |
| Household Income | $74,500 | $91,866 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.099999999999994°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Johnston sees 2.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | East Providence | Johnston |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.80°F | 51.70°F |
| Summer High | 79.40°F | 80.60°F |
| Winter Low | 22.90°F | 22.30°F |
| Rainfall | 45.20 in | 46.30 in |
| Snowfall | 17.50 in | 19.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 254 | 253 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
East Providence has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Johnston.
East Providence scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | East Providence | Johnston |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
East Providence is the larger city
— approximately 1.5x the population of Johnston.
From a growth perspective, East Providence is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, East Providence has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | East Providence | Johnston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,139 | 30,626 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.43% |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 44.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
East Providence
Advantages
Proximity to downtown Providence with often more accessible housing options
Extensive waterfront access and parks, including the East Bay Bike Path
Rich historical heritage and active community neighborhoods like Rumford and Riverside
Ongoing revitalization of the Waterfront District driving new dining and housing
Strong regional healthcare access via nearby Providence medical centers
Drawbacks
Housing costs and property taxes have risen in line with broader New England trends
Public transit options are limited outside of primary bus corridors, leading to car dependency
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours on key bridges and highways
Winters can be cold and snowy, requiring regular property and vehicle maintenance
Older housing stock in certain neighborhoods may require significant modern updates
Johnston
Advantages
Median household income stands at a robust $91,866 per census data, outperforming national averages.
Convenient location in Providence County providing quick access to downtown Providence and major highways.
Quiet, family-friendly residential neighborhoods such as Winsor Hill and Graniteville.
Active local municipal governance with dedicated community parks and recreational programming.
Close proximity to top-tier healthcare systems and medical centers in Rhode Island.
Drawbacks
Average rent prices exceed $2,000 per month, reflecting broader regional housing pressures.
High car dependency with limited public transit infrastructure within town boundaries.
Property tax rates and real estate costs have risen steadily in line with statewide trends.
Varying winter weather conditions require reliable snow removal and vehicle preparation.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options directly within town borders, requiring trips to Providence.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
East Providence
#366Rhode Island, USA
59.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
104
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
254/yr
Avg Temp
51.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
76
Business
70
Johnston
#253Rhode Island, USA
62.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,072
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
105
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
253/yr
Avg Temp
51.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.43%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
76
Business
70
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