Vermont
113
composite · rank #40
- Housing
- 127.5
- Grocery
- 99.6
- Utilities
- 112
Compare different states
Q1 2026
Q1 2026Vermont vs Rhode Island Cost of Living
Rhode Island has the lower cost of living by 1.8 index points. Compare category indexes and equivalent salaries in both directions.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
Lower cost of living
Rhode Island is lower
1.8 index points lower. A $100,000 lifestyle in Vermont is roughly $98,407 in Rhode Island.
Side-by-side cost of living scoreboard
Rhode Island
111.2
composite · rank #39
- Housing
- 114.4
- Grocery
- 103.8
- Utilities
- 122.3
Category-by-category comparison
| Category | Vermont | Rhode Island | Lower cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grocery | 99.6 | 103.8 | Vermont |
| Housing | 127.5 | 114.4 | Rhode Island |
| Utilities | 112 | 122.3 | Vermont |
| Transportation | 109 | 103.1 | Rhode Island |
| Health care | 108.2 | 104.1 | Rhode Island |
| Misc. goods & services | 108.2 | 111.9 | Vermont |
Grocery
Vermont99.6
Rhode Island103.8
Lower cost: Vermont
Housing
Vermont127.5
Rhode Island114.4
Lower cost: Rhode Island
Utilities
Vermont112
Rhode Island122.3
Lower cost: Vermont
Transportation
Vermont109
Rhode Island103.1
Lower cost: Rhode Island
Health care
Vermont108.2
Rhode Island104.1
Lower cost: Rhode Island
Misc. goods & services
Vermont108.2
Rhode Island111.9
Lower cost: Vermont
Equivalent salary examples
Salary needed in the destination state to match purchasing power in the origin state.
| Origin salary | Needed in Rhode Island | Needed in Vermont |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $49,204 | $50,809 |
| $75,000 | $73,805 | $76,214 |
| $100,000 | $98,407 | $101,619 |
| $150,000 | $147,611 | $152,428 |
| $250,000 | $246,018 | $254,047 |
$50,000 origin salary
In Rhode Island$49,204
In Vermont$50,809
$75,000 origin salary
In Rhode Island$73,805
In Vermont$76,214
$100,000 origin salary
In Rhode Island$98,407
In Vermont$101,619
$150,000 origin salary
In Rhode Island$147,611
In Vermont$152,428
Housing gap
Vermont housing is 127.5; Rhode Island is 114.4.
Salary planning
$100,000 in Vermont is roughly $98,407 in Rhode Island.
Statewide averages
Indexes average participating urban areas. Local rents and wages can differ sharply inside either state.
Vermont vs Rhode Island cost of living FAQs
Rhode Island has the lower cost of living by 1.8 index points. The composite indexes are 113 in Vermont and 111.2 in Rhode Island (US average = 100).
About $98,407 in Rhode Island would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in Vermont, based on the composite indexes.
About $101,619 in Vermont would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in Rhode Island.
Housing indexes are 127.5 in Vermont and 114.4 in Rhode Island. Housing is often the largest driver, but groceries, utilities, transportation, health care, and other goods also matter.
No. These are statewide averages of participating urban areas. Your city, neighborhood, housing choice, family size, and spending mix can produce a very different personal cost of living.
Rhode Island has the lower average index, but wages, taxes, insurance, schools, and job opportunities should also be compared.
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Composite index, category costs, and equivalent-salary examples.
Data period Q1 2026. Statewide urban-area averages; not personal budget calculations.