Moving from Worcester, MA to Providence, RI
The drive from Worcester to Providence covers 40 mi in about 51 min. Local moves still matter — school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
40 mi · 51 min by car · MA → RI
Distance & route
| Route through | MA → RI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | MA 146, RI 146, MA 122A |
| Major cities en route | Brockton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Worcester | Providence | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 102.523 | 101.773 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 155.206 | 148.809 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 97.015 | 97.116 | 100.0 |
| Services | 113.001 | 103.851 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Providence and Worcester is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values in Worcester and Providence are within 5% of each other ($430,112 vs $426,007 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Worcester +1.0%, Providence +2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Worcester | Providence |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48°F | 52°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 22°F |
| July avg high | 80°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 72.9" | 36.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.3" | 47.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Worcester (48.1°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: WORCESTER RGNL AP, MA US, PROVIDENCE T F GREEN AP, RI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Worcester | Providence |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 205,501 | 190,214 |
| Median household income | $67,544 | $66,772 |
| Median age | 34.1 | 32.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.1% | 18.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.71 |
Median household incomes in Worcester ($67,544) and Providence ($66,772) are within a few percent (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 far is Providence, RI from Worcester, MA?
The driving distance is 40 mi and the route typically takes 51 min via MA 146 and RI 146. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Providence compared to Worcester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $426,007 in Providence vs $430,112 in Worcester — a 1.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Worcester 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 40 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Worcester and Providence?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.1°F in Providence vs 48.1°F in Worcester (4.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 36.6 in vs 72.9 in. Annual precipitation: 47.5 in vs 48.3 in.
How does household income compare in Worcester vs Providence?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,772 in Providence vs $67,544 in Worcester — a 1.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Providence more expensive than Worcester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Providence is 0.7% lower than Worcester (101.773 vs 102.523, 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 Worcester.
City profiles: Worcester, MA · Providence, RI.