City Comparison
North Providence vs Johnston
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Johnston scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
North Providence
Johnston
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
North Providence is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
14% lower than in Johnston.
Housing costs are a major driver: North Providence's average rent is
20% lower than Johnston's.
| Metric | North Providence | Johnston | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $2,072 | -20% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $170 | $180 | -6% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,590 | $3,022 | -14% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 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 North Providence is estimated at
$58,000 vs $60,000 in Johnston.
| Metric | North Providence | Johnston |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $72,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $60,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,667 idx | 68,571 idx |
| Household Income | $76,500 | $91,866 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.2°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Johnston sees 1.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | North Providence | Johnston |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.50°F | 51.70°F |
| Summer High | 80.40°F | 80.60°F |
| Winter Low | 22.00°F | 22.30°F |
| Rainfall | 45.50 in | 46.30 in |
| Snowfall | 18.10 in | 19.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 253 | 253 |
| Humidity | 66.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
| Metric | North Providence | Johnston |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
North Providence is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Johnston is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, North Providence has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | North Providence | Johnston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,075 | 30,626 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.43% |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 44.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.30% |
| 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.
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.
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
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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