True Cost of Renting in Providence, RI

Providence anchors Rhode Island's economy and is home to Brown University, Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), and Johnson & Wales. The city has one of the best restaurant scenes per capita in the Northeast. Amtrak NEC service connects to Boston (35 min) and New York (3 hours). National Grid provides electricity.

Neighborhoods & Average Rents

College Hill / Wayland Square

Studio:
$1,300/mo
1 Bed:
$1,600/mo
2 Bed:
$2,300/mo

Historic hilltop neighborhood with Brown University and RISD; Federal Hill-era architecture. Wayland Square has excellent independent restaurants and shops. National Grid electric. RIPTA bus access. High demand in August. Limited parking in older buildings.

Federal Hill

Studio:
$1,100/mo
1 Bed:
$1,400/mo
2 Bed:
$2,000/mo

Providence's Italian neighborhood — the most celebrated in New England after Boston's North End. Atwells Avenue is lined with authentic Italian and international restaurants. Older apartment buildings. Mix of longtime Italian-American residents and younger arrivals. Walk to Downtown.

South Providence / Valley

Studio:
$800/mo
1 Bed:
$1,000/mo
2 Bed:
$1,500/mo

Providence's most affordable neighborhoods; primarily working-class Latino and immigrant communities. Lower rents but higher crime in some blocks. Bus access to Downtown and Providence Station (Amtrak NEC). Research specific streets.

Utility Providers

Electric
National Grid Rhode Island
Water
Providence Water Supply Board
Internet
Cox Communications, Verizon, Starry Internet

Commute & Transportation

Providence Station (Amtrak NEC) connects to Boston South Station in 35 minutes (Acela) or 1 hour (NR) — one of the best value commutes in New England. RIPTA buses serve Providence and much of Rhode Island. I-95 runs through Providence, connecting to Boston (50 miles north) and New Haven (100 miles south). Major employers: Lifespan (Rhode Island Hospital, Miriam Hospital), Brown University, RISD, Johnson & Wales University, and Textron Systems. Providence is within driving distance of Cape Cod, Newport, and Boston.

Rental Market Overview

Providence offers a genuine arts-driven quality of life at significantly lower cost than Boston. National Grid electric rates are among the Northeast's highest — budget $90–140/mo for a 1BR. Amtrak monthly passes to Boston run approximately $270–290/month. The Brown/RISD influence creates strong demand for quality housing near College Hill. Federal Hill's restaurant culture is a genuine asset. Renters insurance averages $16–22/month. Rhode Island has relatively tenant-friendly landlord-tenant laws.

Data last updated: 2026-04

Compare Apartments in Providence

Enter your rental options below to see the true all-in monthly cost.

Renting in Providence: Common Questions

What is the average rent in Providence?
One-bedroom apartments in Providence range from $1,000/month in South Providence / Valley to $1,600/month in College Hill / Wayland Square. Two-bedroom units range from $1,500 to $2,300/month. These are base rents — add fees, utilities, and amenity costs to get the true all-in monthly cost.
What utilities do I need to set up in Providence?
In Providence, electricity is provided by National Grid Rhode Island, water by Providence Water Supply Board, and common internet providers include Cox Communications, Verizon, Starry Internet. Check whether your lease includes water or trash — some buildings bundle these into rent while others charge separately. Always ask the leasing office for the average monthly utility bill before signing.
What neighborhoods are affordable in Providence?
South Providence / Valley is one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Providence, with one-bedroom apartments averaging $1,000/month. Providence's most affordable neighborhoods; primarily working-class Latino and immigrant communities. Lower rents but higher crime in some blocks. Bus access to Downtown and Providence Station (Amtrak NEC). Research specific streets. Remember to factor in commute costs and parking fees when comparing neighborhoods — a cheaper base rent farther from work may cost more overall.
Is Providence expensive to rent in?
Providence offers a genuine arts-driven quality of life at significantly lower cost than Boston. National Grid electric rates are among the Northeast's highest — budget $90–140/mo for a 1BR. Use RentCompare to calculate the true all-in cost for any apartment in Providence — base rent alone does not tell the full story.

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