What it's like to live in East Providence
East Providence is a small city in Rhode Island with rent below the national average, crime rates well below the national average, commutes that run shorter than most cities, and schools with smaller class sizes than the national average. Those factors carry real weight for anyone weighing where to move next.
The tradeoffs are worth naming plainly. East Providence deals with cold winters, snowy winters, fewer dining and entertainment options than a bigger city, and a car-dependent commute, with few people using transit.
The good
- Rent below the national average
- Low crime rates
- Short commutes
- Low student-teacher ratio
The not so good
- Cold winters
- Snowy winters — 37" per year
- Smaller place — fewer dining and entertainment options
- Car-dependent — few commuters use transit
How East Providence compares
Median household income
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
What it takes to move to East Providence
Based on East Providence's median rent, home value and household income
To rent
$2,576
up front: first month plus a typical one-month deposit
- Income to keep rent under 30%: $51,520 a year
- 46% of East Providence renters spend 30% or more of their income on rent
To buy
$73,100
a 20% down payment on the median home
- With 10% down: $36,550
- Homes cost 4.8× the typical local household income (US: 4.1×)
Moving costs, closing costs and taxes not included.
The details
Cost of livingNear US average
$1,288/mo median rent
Cost of living works in this city's favor. Median rent sits around $1,288 a month, nothing that raises eyebrows. Solid value overall. Home prices run above average, with a median around $365,500. Buyers should expect to stretch their budget here.
Median home value $365,500 · 46% of renters cost-burdened
Job marketNear US average
4.6% unemployment
Unemployment here is 4.6%, close to the national average of 4.3%.
City-level (BLS)
Safety▼ 80% below US
74 violent crimes per 100k
Safety is genuinely one of the selling points here. Both violent and property crime run well below the national average, the kind of numbers that fade into the background after a week of living somewhere.
Property crime 686/100k · East Providence Police Department · 2024 data
Getting around▼ 13% below US
23 min average commute
Commutes are reasonable, averaging 22.6 minutes. Nothing heroic, and there's still time left over for a life after work. 8 in 10 workers drive to work; 12% work from home.
How workers get to work
Climate
Summers are warm, with highs around 81°F, and winters are cold, with lows around 24°F and snow a regular occurrence. Rainfall is regular throughout the year.
Average month
30-year averages, 1991–2020
Healthcare
1 hospital
There's one Medicare-certified hospital inside city limits. Hospitals in neighboring towns aren't counted here.
Medicare-certified hospitals
Education & workforce▼ 12% below US
32% bachelor's degree or higher
Education levels run about average, with 32% college-educated. It's a mix of white-collar and blue-collar work, which can be an asset or a limitation depending on the field.
Schools
12 public schools inside the boundary
There are 12 public schools inside the boundary and 7 private schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 14:1, well below the national average of 16:1. Smaller class sizes are generally a positive sign for a district.
Parks & recreation
The nearest national park or historic site is Roger Williams National Memorial (3 miles away). There are 8 national parks and sites within a day's drive.
Bottom line
East Providence's strongest points are rent below the national average and crime rates well below the national average; the main tradeoffs are cold winters and snowy winters. A year of median rent ($1,288/mo) equals 20% of the median household income here, about the same as the 21% typical nationwide. It tends to suit anyone prioritizing low crime. It may be a harder fit for anyone who doesn't drive.
See all the data for East Providence →·All Rhode Island cities →
Other places near East Providence
All Rhode Island guides →Moving to Providence →
3 mi away · pop. 191,767
Rent $1,408/mo · Income $68,119
Compare with East Providence →Moving to Pawtucket →
5 mi away · pop. 75,893
Rent $1,208/mo · Income $68,310
Compare with East Providence →Moving to Central Falls →
6 mi away · pop. 22,701
Rent $1,200/mo · Income $49,285
Compare with East Providence →Moving to Cranston →
7 mi away · pop. 83,250
Rent $1,375/mo · Income $90,206
Compare with East Providence →Not sure East Providence is the one?
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