Moving to Providence, RI in 2023? Complete Moving Guide

This is a complete guide for Moving to Providence, RI.
Get all the information you need to know about moving to Providence, RI.

Moving to Providence? The mesmerizingly beautiful capital city of the tiniest state Rhode Island is extremely dynamic and diverse. Affordable housing, rich local history, beautiful scenery, thriving art scene, growing job market – there are big offerings!

Here’s an exclusive guide on Providence where you’ll get all relevant information about the prettiest city in New England. Just a look at our moving guide will help you decide whether moving to Providence, RI is a wise idea.

Let’s find out if moving to Providence is right for you.

facts of Providence

Quick facts to know before you move to Providence

  • Rhode Island was first settled in 1636 by Roger Williams under the name Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, which is still the official state name.
  • Despite its small size, Providence is highly diverse
  • The central location makes Providence a connecting point to different cities, such as Boston and Hartford
  • Providence has the most coffee and donut shops per capita of any city in the US
  • Brown University’s John Hay Library contains three books bound in human skin
  • Winters are extremely harsh with heavy snowfall
  • The city is home to the First Baptist Church in America, founded in 1775
  • Providence Rhode Island was one of the original colonies developed in the USA by the colonial powers

Top 10 things to know before moving to Providence

  • About 35,000 people work in jewelry manufacturing and distribution in Rhode Island.
  • Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence, the 3rd oldest zoo in the US houses over 100 species.
  • The 2-foot high Gun Totem outside Providence’s Federal Courthouse contains over 1,000 guns recovered from a buy-back program
  • Providence has a 75% higher rate of gay and lesbian relationships than the rest of the country
  • The city is highly LGBT friendly and the former mayor was the first openly gay mayor of a U.S. capital
  • It is illegal to jump off a bridge in Providence
  • College Hill in Providence still has houses dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries
  • Locally brewed beer is a way of life here
  • The Culinary Arts Museum in Providence contains over 60,000 cookbooks as well as exhibits on the history of cooking and kitchens
  • The nightlife is highly active and the city is home to hundreds of DJs and VJs, perhaps the most in the US

Is Providence, RI a good place to live?

Considering the low unemployment, high-quality education, and affordable living, Providence is a good choice to call your new home. The city ranks at the top of the list of best places to settle down on the East Coast. In addition to the low living cost and availably of good jobs, the city also boasts of a robust public transport system, and exceptional weather conditions. You need no more reasons to relocate to Providence.

What’s it like to live in Providence RI?

Interestingly, Providence is home to a large number of professionals and artists and is highly diverse in culture. The city boasts of a quaint New England vibe which you can experience while living here. And the city is also an economic center with outstanding healthcare, education, and entertainment options. As a resident, your life will be packed with fun &entertainment, and your wallet will see good income.

Is it expensive to live in Providence Rhode Island?

Yes, while planning to relocate to Providence, you should be ready to shell out more as the living costs are much higher than most neighboring cities. As per the latest stats, the housing expenses are 22% higher and the utility prices are 28% higher than the national average. Even the bus, gas, and utility fares are higher than in other cities in Rhode Island.

Is Providence RI safe?

Though Providence is relatively free from natural disasters including hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods, the crime rate makes the city less safe. The city ranks low in the state in crime and violent crime is 30.4, much higher than the US average. Fortunately, law enforcement agencies are highly active in being down the crime rate, which has started showing visible signs in recent years.

What is Providence known for?

The city was once a calm and secluded town but has transformed over 40 years. The capital city has grown high but still retains its small-town culture. It has a thriving arts community, vibrant and diverse neighborhoods, and an amazing food scene. The city is also home to some amazing museums that speak about the vibrant past of Rhode Island.

In a nutshell, here are a few things that Providence is known for

What's the Population of Providence, RI?

As of 2020, 190,934 reside at Providence, making it the third most populous city in West England after Boston and Worcester, both in Massachusetts. The Providence Metro Area has a population of 1,604,291

Here’s a breakup of the Providence population

  • The density is 10,371.21/sq mi
  • Among the population, 34.3% are White, 13.1% are Black or African-American, 6.2% is Asian, 0.2% are Pacific Islander, 1.0% is Native American, 0.8% are from other races, and 2.7% are from two or more races.
  • The population is made up of 48.2% males and 51.8% females.
  • The median age in Providence is 28.8
  • 32.6% of the residents are married couples living together
  • 8.6% are divorced persons
  • 34.7% of the population have children, but are single

How fast can you commute in Providence, RI?

The average one-way commute in Providence takes 22.8 minutes, which is much shorter than the US average of 26.4 minutes

Here’s a breakup of how the residents regularly commute to office in Rhode Island.

  • About 62.9% drive their own car alone
  • About 11.3% carpool with others
  • An average of 5.4% work from home
  • Approximately 6.9% take mass transit

Tip: While moving the home, safety of your belongings is the priority and you need a trustworthy mover at your side. Know the top-rated moving companies in Providence, RI.

How is the weather like in Providence, RI?

The city has a humid continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. There is humidity year round.

Take a look at some of the crucial facts about Providence's climate.

  • The city receives snowfall for about 6 months a year
  • January is the snowiest when the city witnesses 10.2 inches of snow
  • July is the hottest month with temperature touching 82.7°
  • In January, temperature drops down to even 10 °F
moving to Providence

Top reasons to move to Providence, RI

Are you keen to know the reasons why people pick Providence as a destination to move into?

There are many but to help you, we’ve collated a few among them

  • High diversity
  • Highly affordable
  • Quality education
  • Efficient public transportation
  • Amazing food scene
  • Unlimited outdoor fun options
  • Beautiful landscapes
    • Providence pros and cons

    Pros & Cons of moving to Providence

    When you’re serious about packing the bags to Providence, you would also be curious to know the pros and cons of living there.

    And to help you, we’ve listed out top pros and cons of moving to Providence.

    Pros of living in Providence Cons of living in Providence
    Highly diverse societyHeavy traffic and rude drivers
    Central locationThick population
    Rich local historyHarsh winter
    Mesmerizing landscapesGrowing drug problems
    Easy to getaway
    place to live Providence

    Best places to live if you’re moving to Providence RI

    Once you’re in Providence, it may take a minimum one year or two to buy a home and till then you need to rent one. So where should you look for a rented home? Obviously, your choice would be the neighborhoods in the city. Fortunately, Providence has many decent neighborhoods and we’ve listed out the best 10 from them.

    Rank Neighborhood Population Home Value
    1.Wayland3,028$557,950
    2.College Hill9,005$488,462
    3.Elmhurst10,503$190,236
    4.Blackstone6,336$441,850
    5.Manton4,362$127,267
    6.Hope3,060$304,450
    7.Mount Pleasant9,950$158,945
    8.Fox Point3,418$333,760
    9.Mount Hope6,083$186,590
    10.Wanskuck12,204$128,000

    Tip:When you’ve got a home to move in Providence, RI, getting the best moving quote will be your goal. Request moving company quotes to save on moving cost.

    cost of living in Providence

    Cost of living in Providence

    While planning to move to Providence, you need to know the cost of living in the capital city of Rhode Island is 17% higher than the national average.

    To get an exact idea about how expensive the city is, we need to consider many factors but the most common are health, housing, transportation, and groceries.

    We’ve got a detailed table to explain how much each among them costs here.

    Living Expense Providence Rhode Island National Average
    Overall105.1110.6100
    Grocery105.1106.5100
    Health84.481.9100
    Housing91123.4100
    Median Home Cost$294,500$375,800$291,700
    Utilities115.5115.9100
    Transportation111.4106.1100
    Miscellaneous125.7109.8100

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    How is the housing market in Providence, RI?

    As you are finalized your moving plan, you’d be keen to know how much a house costs in Providence. Considering the large population and booming economy, housing expenses in Providence are 22% higher than the national average. The home appreciation in Providence has shot up by 88.9% in the last decade.

    To help you, we’ve got the latest housing stat in Providence

    • Providence’s average rent for a studio apartment is $833
    • Providence’s average rent for a 1-bedroom home or apartment is $937
    • Providence’s average rent for a 2-bedroom home or apartment is $1,127
    • Providence’s average rent for a 3-bedroom home or apartment is $1,392
    • Providence’s average rent for a 4-bedroom home or apartment is $1,705
    jobs in Warwick

    How is the job market in Providence, Rhode Island?

    While moving to Providence for job purposes, you would be curious to know the job market there.

    The city has a booming economy and the job market is growing. As a result, finding a suitable job won’t be a tough task

    However, to help you know more about the job statistics, we’ve listed out a few points on the Providence job market.

    • The job growth in Providence has been positive
    • The future job growth over the next ten years is predicted to be 28.6%
    • The unemployment rate in Providence is 8.6%
    • Jobs have increased by 1.5% over the past year
    • The average salary in Providence is $37,514
    • The median home cost in Providence is $294,500

    Here is a breakdown table to better understand the Providence job market

    Employment Information Providence, Rhode Island United States
    The income per Cap$24,052$31,177
    Household Income$40,366$57,652
    Unemployment Rate8.66.0%
    Recent Job Growth-8.80%-6.18%
    Future Job Growth28.63%33.51%

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    Fastest growing jobs in Providence, RI

    Knowing the fastest-growing jobs in Providence will benefit you while reaching the city. This will help you recognize whether your expertise will help here or whether you need to further augment your skills,Here are the top ten fastest-growing jobs in the city.

    Rank Job Title % Growth Average Salary Openings in 2023
    1Welder139.7%$42,4101,900
    2Software developer126.2%$92,3102020
    3Software engineer124.1%$108,8202,320
    4Business Analyst123.9%$93,5002,180
    5Information Technology manager123.8%$141,2401,350
    6Marketing internship122.6%$68,9201,680
    7Electrician122.4%$53,1302,730
    8Physical Therapist121.7%$83,8001,570
    9Machinist121.5%$43,1701,580
    10Home health aid118.9%$7,3304,600

    Best companies to work for if you’re moving to Providence, RI

    Fortunately, Providence has no shortage of good companies. When you know the best companies here, it becomes easier to apply for a job.

    Here are companies in Providence that rank high in employee satisfaction.

    • Providence Equity Partners
    • Kenney Manufacturing
    • Gilbane Building CompanyCitizens Financial Group
    • Textron
    • Nortek
    • Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island
    • United Natural Foods
    • Brown University
    • Butler Hospital
    • Sullivan Custom Planning, Inc.

    Top career options in Providence, RI

    Aren’t you curious to know who takes home the fat checks in Providence? Check our list of top 10 career options in Providence, which will help you in the job hunt.

    Rank Job Title Average Salary Entry Level Salary
    1Anesthesiologists$266,930$170,620
    2Surgeons$256,890$95,770
    3Nurse Anesthetists$241,660$138,990
    4Chief executives$202,680$86,480
    5Internists, General$197,070$91,530
    6Family & General practitioners$196,000$99,670
    7Physicians & Surgeons$171,830$55,280
    8Dentists, General$166.070$79,290
    9Pediatricians, General$163,070$92,830
    10Judges, magistrate judges, & magistrates$159,170$92,830

    What's the average salary & income in Providence, RI?

    While you’re moving to Providence for job purposes, the average salary in the city is a major concern. The city is home to many companies operating on different turfs and the paycheck would be based on the company and the work you do. However, there would be some basic information common for all. To help you, we’ve collated a few facts about the average salary and income in Providence.

    • Providence’s average annual pay for average jobs is $66,134 a year
    • Providence’s average hourly pay for average jobs is $31.80 an hour
    • Providence’s average weekly pay for average jobs is $1,271 per week
    • Providence’s average monthly pay for average jobs is $5,511 per month
    • Providence’s top earners (90th percentile) make $156,175 annually

    Major industries in Providence

    When you have an idea about the prominent industries in Providence, it becomes easier to prepare for a job. And now the major industries before you move to Providence to plan accordingly.

    Here is a list of major industries in Providence.

    • Biomedicine
    • Cyber and data analytics
    • Defense shipbuilding and maritime products
    • Agriculture
    • Textiles
    • Jewelry making
    • Tourism
    taxes in rhode island

    How are taxes like in Rhode-Island?

    Will you be paying more or less in taxes by moving to Rhode Island?

    The easiest way to find out is to compare Rhode Island taxes to your current state. Here’s a simple breakdown of Rhode Island’s major taxes:

    • Rhode-Island income tax is 3.75%
    • Sales tax in Rhode-Island is 7%
    • Property tax in Rhode-Island is 1.53% average effective rate
    • Rhode-Island gas tax is 34 cents per gallon of regular gasoline and diesel
    Providence to do

    What are the best things to do in Providence, Rhode Island?

    Providence has much to claim to keep its residents busy. From breathtaking landscapes to diverse museums, and rich preserved history to a vibrant art scene, Providence takes pride in its endless list of attractions.

    To help you, we’ve filtered just 10 among the top best things to do here.

    • Explore Roger Williams Park Zoo
    • Appreciate WaterFire
    • Visit RISD Museum of Art
    • Try Some of the Best Donuts in Rhode Island
    • Attend never-ending annual festivals
    • Relax in Waterplace Park
    • Visit Stephen Hopkins House
    • Surprise your child at Rhode Island Children’s Museum
    • Explore the rivers and Narragansett Bay by boat
    • Stroll through Swan Point Cemetery

    How safe is Providence, RI?

    While Providence is blessed with many positive factors, it scores low on the crime rate. Providence records 4.60 crime cases per 1,000 residents, which is one of the highest in Rhode Island. However, the city is safer than 17% of US cities and about 70% of the residents feel safe here

    To help you know the crime stats in Providence, we’ve got a few facts.

    • Providence's violent crime is 30.4 while the US average is 22.7
    • Providence’s property crime is 53.1 while the US average is 35.4
    • Your chance of being a violent crime victim is 1 in 217 in Providence
    • Your chance of being a property crime victim is 1 in 44 in Providence
    • About 70% of the population feels safe in Providence

    Tip:Often, you feel like calculating the moving cost before you connect with a moving company. To help you, we've got a free moving cost calculator.

    schools in providence

    What are the top schools in Providence, RI?

    When you have children, you would need to know about schools in Providence in advance.

    Do not worry as we’ve compiled names of the best schools and colleges in Providence and nearby. Here’s our list.

    Top 5 Public Elementary Schools in Providence, RI

    • Vartan Gregorian Elementary School
      Public, K-5 | 282 students

    • Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School
      Public, K-5 | 433 students

    • Leviton Dual Language School
      Public, K-5 | 289 students

    • Reservoir Avenue School
      Public, K-5 | 264 students

    • William D'Abate Elementary School
      Public, K-5 | 397 students

    Top 5 Public Middle Schools in Providence, RI

    • Esek Hopkins Middle
      Public, 6-8 | 518 students

    • Gilbert Stuart Middle School
      Public, 6-8 | 899 students

    • Governor Christopher Delsesto
      Public, 6-8 | 872 students

    • Nathanael Greene Middle
      Public, 6-8 | 943 students

    • John F. Kennedy Middle School
      Public, 6-8 | 515 students

    Top 5 Public High Schools in Providence, RI

    • Classical High School
      Public, 9-12 | 1,115 students

    • E-Cubed Academy
      Public, 9-12 | 389 students

    • Providence Career Technical
      Public, 9-12 | 671 students

    • Central High School
      Public, 9-12 | 1,200 students

    • Dr. Jorge Alvarez High School
      Public, 9-12 | 737 students

    Top colleges and universities in Providence, RI

    • Brown University

    • University of Rhode Isand

    • Sale Regina University

    • Providence College

    • Bryant University

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