City Comparison
North Providence vs Pawtucket
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
North Providence scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
North Providence
Pawtucket
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
North Providence is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
4% lower than in Pawtucket.
| Metric | North Providence | Pawtucket | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,788 | -8% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $170 | $180 | -6% |
| Transport | $110 | $90 | +22% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,590 | $2,708 | -4% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
North 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 North Providence is estimated at
$58,000 vs $55,000 in Pawtucket.
| Metric | North Providence | Pawtucket |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $66,498 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,667 idx | 69,998 idx |
| Household Income | $76,500 | $68,310 |
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 | Pawtucket |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
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 | North Providence | Pawtucket |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 71.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Pawtucket is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of North Providence.
From a growth perspective, Pawtucket is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Pawtucket has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | North Providence | Pawtucket |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,075 | 75,893 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 1.10% |
| Median Age | 41.2 | 37.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 3.90% |
| 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.
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.
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
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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