Taxed — taxes Social Security benefits, but income thresholds and age rules exempt many retirees — check the state's own limits before assuming you would owe
Effective property tax rate
1.31%
metro-area
#133 of 200
Median property tax paid
$4,681
metro-area
#170 of 200
Health & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Life expectancy at birth
78.3 years
metro-area
#56 of 200
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$7,600
state
#179 of 200
Uninsured (share of residents)
4.5%
metro-area
#12 of 200
Primary care providers per 100k
81
metro-area
#79 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$13,000
state
#131 of 200
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$100
state
#83 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)
None
state
#1 of 200
Emissions testing
Required
Emissions detail
Required in major metro counties
DMV & license offices
1
Avg commute to work
26 min
metro-area
#142 of 200
Commute by driving alone
74.9%
metro-area
#94 of 200
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min
37.1%
metro-area
#144 of 200
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
28.3¢/kWh
state
#164 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill
$255
state
#164 of 200
Gasoline
$3.35/gal
state
#111 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$92
state
#185 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$80
state
#45 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$67
state
#10 of 200
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,700
state
#96 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)
$2,100
state
#126 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: hurricanes, flooding — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)
82.4 — Relatively Moderate
metro-area
#42 of 200
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$900
state
#152 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#1 of 200
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
42
metro-area
#57 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
600
metro-area
#14 of 200
Homes with air conditioning (state)
90%
state
#136 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)
5,700
metro-area
#141 of 200
Days per year ≥ 90°F
9
metro-area
#43 of 200
Days per year ≥ 100°F
0
metro-area
#5 of 200
Avg summer high (state)
82°F
metro-area
#10 of 200
Avg winter low
21°F
metro-area
#146 of 200
Annual precipitation
47.5"
metro-area
#146 of 200
Annual snowfall
36.6"
metro-area
#150 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)
56%
metro-area
#132 of 200
Plant hardiness zone
6b
Frost window
04-20 → 10-20
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
240
state
#13 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
1,500
state
#32 of 200
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
18
metro-area
#180 of 200
Parks
45
Hiking areas
3
Golf courses
4
Shooting ranges
2
Lakes
5
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
4
state
#147 of 200
Permit detail
Difficult; zoning + review
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.
Top employers in Providence
Major public and private employers in the Providence, RI area.
