Cost of Living in Rhode Island for a Family of Four (2026)
A family of four in Rhode Island needs about $7,871 a month ($94,453 a year) to cover a typical household budget before saving. That is 1% above the U.S. average of $7,777 and ranks #17 of 51, where #1 is the most expensive.
Rhode Island's rent level is 106% of the national average, so a typical three-bedroom rental with utilities runs about $2,144 a month, compared with $2,030 nationally. Everyday goods such as groceries and clothing cost 3% less than the national average, which puts this family's grocery bill at about $1,013 a month on the USDA low-cost food plan.
To cover this budget and still save 15% of take-home pay, a family would need about $9,260 a month after taxes ($111,121 a year).
Monthly budget in Rhode Island by household
The family is two parents aged 38 and 40 with children aged 9 and 4, the youngest in paid childcare, renting a three-bedroom home. The couple is two adults aged 35 and the single adult is 30, each renting a one-bedroom home.
| Category | Family of four | Couple | Single adult |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing & utilities | $2,144 | $1,402 | $1,402 |
| Groceries | $1,013 | $634 | $346 |
| Dining out & takeout | $253 | $158 | $86 |
| Transportation | $1,194 | $1,194 | $597 |
| Health care | $720 | $473 | $237 |
| Childcare | $1,124 | $0 | $0 |
| Phone & internet | $155 | $155 | $115 |
| Clothing | $212 | $150 | $106 |
| Household & personal care | $245 | $173 | $123 |
| Entertainment & hobbies | $411 | $291 | $206 |
| Gifts, giving & other | $401 | $283 | $200 |
| Total per month | $7,871 | $4,913 | $3,417 |
| Total per year | $94,453 | $58,952 | $40,998 |
Estimates for 2026 from LifeCalculator's family budget model: BEA Regional Price Parities by state (2024, released February 2026), USDA Food Plans: Cost of Food at Home (August 2026, low-cost plan), BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey (2024), Census median gross rent (2024) and Child Care Aware of America (2025). Figures from 2024 are adjusted by about 5% for price changes since. Savings and income taxes are not included.
What moves the number
- Childcare. Paid care for the 4-year-old adds about $1,124 a month. Without it, the family budget falls to about $6,747.
- Housing. The figure assumes renting at the state's typical level. Rents in big cities run well above the state average, and rural areas well below it.
- Cars. Transportation assumes typical costs for two drivers, including a car payment. Families with paid-off cars spend less.
- Price level. Overall, prices in Rhode Island are 2% above the national average (BEA all-items index 102.3).
States with similar costs
- Virginia: $7,945 a month (#14)
- Nevada: $7,938 a month (#15)
- Alaska: $7,900 a month (#16)
- Arizona: $7,817 a month (#18)
- Utah: $7,800 a month (#19)
- Illinois: $7,770 a month (#20)
See all 50 states and D.C. on the cost of living by state page, or read what it costs a family of four to live in every state.
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