City Comparison
Newport vs Pawtucket
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Pawtucket scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Newport
Pawtucket
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Pawtucket is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
26% lower than in Newport.
Housing costs are a major driver: Newport's average rent is
40% higher than Pawtucket's.
| Metric | Newport | Pawtucket | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,500 | $1,788 | +40% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $342 | $180 | +90% |
| Transport | $120 | $90 | +33% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,662 | $2,708 | +35% |
| Cost Index | 130 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Pawtucket offers 15% lower 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 Newport is estimated at
$80,000 vs $55,000 in Pawtucket.
| Metric | Newport | Pawtucket |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $56,585 | $66,498 |
| Salary Needed | $80,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 43,527 idx | 69,998 idx |
| Household Income | $86,313 | $68,310 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Newport runs warmer on average — a 51.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Newport comes out ahead with 261 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Newport sees 20.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Newport | Pawtucket |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 72.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 27.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 41.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 20.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 261 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Newport has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 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 | Newport | Pawtucket |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 71.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Pawtucket is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Newport.
From a growth perspective, Pawtucket 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 | Newport | Pawtucket |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,874 | 75,893 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 1.10% |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 3.10% | 3.90% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
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.
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
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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