Moving from Boston, MA to Providence, RI
It is a short 49 mi hop from Boston, MA to Providence, RI — roughly 1h 6m behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
49 mi · 1h 6m by car · MA → RI
Distance & route
| Route through | MA → RI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 95, US 1, I 93 |
| Major cities en route | Lowell, Cambridge, Brockton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Boston | Providence | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.266 | 101.773 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.768 | 148.809 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.651 | 97.116 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.424 | 103.851 | 100.0 |
Expect about 6.0% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Providence at 101.773 vs Boston at 108.266.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 6.0% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $798,217 to $426,007 moving to Providence.
YoY change: Boston -0.4%, Providence +2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Boston | Providence |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 52°F |
| January avg low | 23°F | 22°F |
| July avg high | 82°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.2" | 36.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 43.6" | 47.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Boston (51.9°F) and Providence (52.1°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Providence averages 36.6 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BOSTON LOGAN INTL AP, MA US, PROVIDENCE T F GREEN AP, RI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Boston | Providence |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | 190,214 |
| Median household income | $94,755 | $66,772 |
| Median age | 33.2 | 32.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.5% | 18.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.38 | 2.71 |
Providence households earn about 6.0% less than Boston at the median — $94,755 → $66,772 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
OEWS occupation data not available for these MSAs.
Moving between Massachusetts and Rhode Island
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Rhode Island's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Providence averages 36.6 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Rhode Island after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Boston vs Providence?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,772 in Providence vs $94,755 in Boston — a 29.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Boston to Providence?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 49 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Boston and Providence?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.1°F in Providence vs 51.9°F in Boston (0.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 36.6 in vs 49.2 in. Annual precipitation: 47.5 in vs 43.6 in.
How far is Providence, RI from Boston, MA?
The driving distance is 49 mi and the route typically takes 1h 6m via I 95 and US 1. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Providence compared to Boston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $426,007 in Providence vs $798,217 in Boston — a 46.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Providence more expensive than Boston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Providence is 6.0% lower than Boston (101.773 vs 108.266, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Boston.
City profiles: Boston, MA · Providence, RI.