City Comparison
North Providence vs Aiken
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Aiken scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
North Providence
Aiken
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Aiken is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in North Providence.
Housing costs are a major driver: North Providence's average rent is
18% higher than Aiken's.
| Metric | North Providence | Aiken | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,400 | +18% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $170 | $236 | -28% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,590 | $2,406 | +8% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
North Providence offers 3% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Aiken delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in North Providence is estimated at
$58,000 vs $55,000 in Aiken.
| Metric | North Providence | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $65,884 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,667 idx | 74,027 idx |
| Household Income | $76,500 | $76,746 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
North Providence runs warmer on average — a 51.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, North Providence comes out ahead with 253 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — North Providence sees 18.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | North Providence | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 80.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 22.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 45.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 18.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 253 | |
| Humidity | 66.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
North Providence scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Aiken leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | North Providence | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Aiken is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Aiken is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Aiken has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | North Providence | Aiken |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,075 | 33,306 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 46.6 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 3.40% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
North Providence
Advantages
Median home prices and rental rates offer a more accessible entry point than core Boston or downtown Providence markets per Zillow data.
Direct in-town presence of Our Lady of Fatima Hospital provides exceptional local healthcare access.
Strategic geographic location offers a quiet suburban atmosphere just minutes from downtown Providence.
Active local parks and recreation facilities, including Governor Notte Park, enhance outdoor lifestyle options.
Thriving local dining and retail corridors along Mineral Spring Avenue foster a strong community feel.
Drawbacks
Property tax rates in Rhode Island can present a notable financial burden for homeowners.
Car dependency is relatively high, as public transit options outside of primary bus lines are limited.
Regional commuter traffic during peak morning and evening hours on major arteries can cause delays.
Limited large-scale industrial or corporate headquarters directly within town limits constrains local job diversity.
Inventory for single-family home purchases can be tight, driving competitive bidding scenarios.
Aiken
Advantages
The cost of living in Aiken is approximately 11% lower than the national average.
Aiken boasts a higher homeownership rate of 68.1% as of 2024.
The city offers a mild climate with ample opportunities for outdoor activities and a vibrant downtown.
Aiken County's unemployment rate of 3.4% in April 2026 is lower than the national average.
The average commute time of 24 minutes is considered manageable.
Drawbacks
Aiken's transportation system is largely car-dependent, with limited public transit options.
The city's safety index of 30 suggests a higher crime rate compared to national benchmarks.
Aiken County's poverty rate of 14.3% is higher than the national average of 12.5%.
While the downtown is walkable, the city overall has a lower walkability score due to car dependency.
Some utility costs are reported to be slightly higher than the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
North Providence
#376Rhode Island, USA
59.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
253/yr
Avg Temp
51.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
74
Business
67
Aiken
#322South Carolina, USA
60.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,400
Avg Salary
$65,884
Cost Index
89
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
72
Business
65
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