City Comparison
Johnston vs Newport
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Johnston scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Johnston
Newport
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Johnston is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
17% lower than in Newport.
Housing costs are a major driver: Johnston's average rent is
17% lower than Newport's.
| Metric | Johnston | Newport | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,072 | $2,500 | -17% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $342 | -47% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,022 | $3,662 | -17% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 130 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Johnston offers 27% higher 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 Johnston is estimated at
$60,000 vs $80,000 in Newport.
| Metric | Johnston | Newport |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $56,585 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $80,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,571 idx | 43,527 idx |
| Household Income | $91,866 | $86,313 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.2°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Newport sees 1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Johnston | Newport |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.70°F | 51.90°F |
| Summer High | 80.60°F | 72.80°F |
| Winter Low | 22.30°F | 27.40°F |
| Rainfall | 46.30 in | 41.40 in |
| Snowfall | 19.90 in | 20.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 253 | 261 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Newport has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Johnston.
Johnston scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Newport leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Johnston | Newport |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 65.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Johnston is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Newport.
From a growth perspective, Johnston is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Newport has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Johnston | Newport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 30,626 | 24,874 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.43% | — |
| Median Age | 44.5 | 37.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 3.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Newport
Advantages
Newport's total crime rate is 21% lower than the national average as of 2024.
The average commute time in Newport is 18.9 minutes, shorter than the national average.
The 'Ocean economy' in the Greater Newport region experienced a 27% growth from 2014 to 2024.
Newport's residents have a higher percentage of Bachelor's degrees or higher compared to the state and national averages.
The city offers a vibrant cultural scene and numerous outdoor activities, particularly water sports and historical attractions.
Drawbacks
The median property value in Newport was $746,900 in 2024, significantly higher than the national average.
Newport County experienced a population decrease of 0.37% between 2024 and 2025, primarily due to domestic migration.
The homeownership rate in Newport is 49.8%, which is lower than the national average.
Newport has a higher average monthly utility cost compared to other cities in Rhode Island.
Larceny/theft was noted as a concern in Newport's property crime rate in late 2023.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Newport
#547Rhode Island, USA
48.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,500
Avg Salary
$56,585
Cost Index
130
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
65.0/100
Sunny Days
261/yr
Avg Temp
51.90°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.10%
Livability
82
Business
70
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