Settled in 1636 as a member city of the 13 Colonies, Providence’s impact on U.S. history and now modern-day comforts are much to be appreciated. The cultural arts is widely encouraged and celebrated in the “Creative Capital.” Residents enjoy live theatrical performances at the Tony Award-winning Trinity Repertory Company on Washington Street. The renowned Rhode Island School of Design Museum showcases fine art masterpieces across five buildings. Providence may be a small capital in stature to others, but it sure packs a serious punch with plenty of cool attractions, landmarks, universities and more. College Hill houses two of the most renowned educational institutions in the nation, Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design. Across the Providence River, you’ll discover Johnson & Wales University – Providence Campus.
Providence is also known for its notable dining and shopping scene. Gourmet restaurants and artisan shops dot the city streets all across Providence. Federal Hills is known for its authentic Italian restaurants, gelato shops, and fresh cannolis. Shopping at Providence Place affords some respite from the daily routine. Entertainment options are endless in this capital city as well. Once you discover a rental in Providence, you’ll be minutes from a tranquil gondola ride down the river at Waterplace Park, the dancing flames of WaterFire at Riverwalk, interactive exhibits at Providence Children’s Museum, and adorable animals at and the Roger Williams Park Zoo. If you’re looking for a vibrant city overflowing with amenities, Providence is an excellent choice.
Providence's skyline comes equipped with its quintessential center piece: The Superman Building.
Burnside Park is the central heart of Providence located at the base of it's skyline.
Hope Street in Providence is a major hotspot for unique, locally owned retail and restaurants.
As of September 2025, the average apartment rent in Providence, RI is $1,736 for a studio, $2,053 for one bedroom, $2,620 for two bedrooms, and $2,890 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Providence has increased by 0.4% in the past year.
The cost of living in Providence, RI is 11.6% higher than the national average. Generally, housing in Providence is 13.2% more expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $1,736 - $2,890. You can expect to pay 1.3% more for groceries, 39.2% more for utilities, and 3.3% less for transportation.
Thinking about moving to Providence? Here are some pros and cons of living in The Renaissance City to help you decide.
Thinking about moving to Rhode Island but don’t know where to start? Explore our comprehensive guide to five of Rhode Island’s best cities.
Very Walkable
out of 100 WalkScore® Rating
If you enjoy walking, you’ll enjoy renting in this area! It’s a very walkable neighborhood.
Good Transit
out of 100 TransitScore® Rating
The area around this property has good transit with many nearby transportation options.
Bikeable
out of 100 BikeScore® Rating
While there’s some bike infrastructure in this area, you’ll still need a car for many errands.
Public
Grades K-5
251 Students
Public
Grades PK-4
537 Students
Public
Grades K-5
408 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
407 Students
Public
Grades K-5
601 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
808 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
631 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
608 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
683 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
435 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,113 Students
W B Cooley & Academy Internationa
Public
Grades 9-12
322 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,302 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,164 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
896 Students
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in September 2025.
