City Comparison
East Providence vs Pawtucket
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
East Providence scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
East Providence
Pawtucket
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
East Providence is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
4% lower than in Pawtucket.
| Metric | East Providence | Pawtucket | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,788 | -8% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $90 | +22% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,595 | $2,708 | -4% |
| Cost Index | 104 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
East Providence offers 2% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Pawtucket 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 $55,000 in Pawtucket.
| Metric | East Providence | Pawtucket |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $66,498 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,385 idx | 69,998 idx |
| Household Income | $74,500 | $68,310 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
East Providence runs warmer on average — a 51.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, East Providence comes out ahead with 254 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — East Providence sees 17.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | East Providence | Pawtucket |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 22.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 45.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 17.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 254 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
East Providence has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Pawtucket.
Pawtucket scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Pawtucket leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | East Providence | Pawtucket |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 71.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Pawtucket is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of East Providence.
From a growth perspective, Pawtucket is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | East Providence | Pawtucket |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,139 | 75,893 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 1.10% |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 3.90% |
| 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
Pawtucket
Advantages
Pawtucket is the third most walkable city in Rhode Island, with a Walk Score of 71, making it easy to run errands on foot.
The median household income in Pawtucket was $68,310 in 2024, which is competitive within the region.
Pawtucket's cost of living is generally more affordable than the national average, with a cost of living index of 95.
The city has a rich industrial history and is home to the Slater Mill Historic Site, a National Historic Landmark.
Pawtucket has a growing arts scene and is actively involved in community development programs.
Drawbacks
Pawtucket has a crime rate that is considerably higher than the national average, with a violent crime rate of 307.6 per 100,000 residents in 2024.
The unemployment rate in Pawtucket was 3.9% as of June 2026, which is higher than the national average of 4.1% in 2024.
Pawtucket's walkability score of 41 indicates a significant car dependency, despite its overall walkability ranking in the state.
While improving, the crime trajectory in Pawtucket is noted as 'improving' based on 5 years of data, suggesting past higher rates.
Pawtucket has a higher poverty rate (13.3%) than the national average (12.5%).
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
Pawtucket
#425Rhode Island, USA
56.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,788
Avg Salary
$66,498
Cost Index
95
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
71.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
74
Business
68
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