True Cost of Renting in Pawtucket, RI
Pawtucket immediately borders Providence to the north and was the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution (Slater Mill, 1793). The Pawtucket Red Sox (Triple-A baseball) play at McCoy Stadium. Rents run 20–25% below Providence, making it a value alternative for workers at Providence's major hospitals and universities. National Grid provides electricity.
Neighborhoods & Average Rents
Woodlawn / Oak Hill
- Studio:
- $900/mo
- 1 Bed:
- $1,100/mo
- 2 Bed:
- $1,600/mo
More stable residential neighborhoods in Pawtucket; mix of apartment buildings and converted triple-deckers. National Grid electric. RIPTA bus access to Providence. I-95 access for regional commutes. Good value for Brown/RISD and hospital workers.
Central Falls (adjacent)
- Studio:
- $750/mo
- 1 Bed:
- $950/mo
- 2 Bed:
- $1,400/mo
Separate small city immediately west of Pawtucket; one of the most affordable communities in Rhode Island. Dense Latino community with authentic restaurants. Very close to Providence. Research specific block conditions.
Downtown Pawtucket
- Studio:
- $800/mo
- 1 Bed:
- $1,000/mo
- 2 Bed:
- $1,500/mo
City center near the revitalized arts district and Slater Mill; some new apartment development in former mills. RIPTA access to Providence. Improving steadily since 2015 arts district designation.
Utility Providers
- Electric
- National Grid Rhode Island
- Water
- Pawtucket Water Supply Board
- Internet
- Cox Communications, Verizon, Starry Internet
Commute & Transportation
Pawtucket is immediately adjacent to Providence — the commute to Downtown Providence by RIPTA bus is 15–20 minutes, making it effectively an inner neighborhood for Providence workers. I-95 connects south to Providence (5 miles) and north toward Boston. Major employers in the Providence metro accessible from Pawtucket: Rhode Island Hospital, Miriam Hospital, Brown University, and RISD. Pawtucket's own employers include Hasbro (headquartered in Pawtucket) and Lifespan.
Rental Market Overview
Pawtucket is genuinely 10 minutes from Providence by bus but with notably lower rents — a value that isn't widely known outside Rhode Island. National Grid electric rates apply at the same high RI rates. The arts district redevelopment has gentrified slowly but consistently. Central Falls is even more affordable but requires more neighborhood research. Renters insurance averages $15–20/month.
Data last updated: 2026-04
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