Rhode Island ranks 14th most expensive state to live comfortably in 2025

Rhode Island ranks among nation’s most expensive states to live comfortably, report finds.

Living comfortably in Rhode Island in 2025 doesn’t come cheap. According to a new SmartAsset analysis based on data from MIT’s Living Wage Calculator, a single adult in the Ocean State now needs an annual income of $101,338 to live comfortably, while a family of four (two working adults and two children) requires $256,672. That places Rhode Island 14th in the nation for overall cost of comfortable living.

Among New England states, Rhode Island is surrounded by some of the most expensive places to live in the nation. Massachusetts ranks No. 2 overall, with a single adult needing $120,141 to live comfortably and a family of four requiring $313,747, the highest family income in the country. In Connecticut, a single adult needs $105,164.80 annually, while a family of four requires $290,368, ranking the state third nationally. New Hampshire follows at number 11, where the cost of living comfortably is estimated at $103,085 for a single adult and $259,501 for a family of four.

SmartAsset calculated these figures using MIT’s Living Wage Calculator, which estimates the basic cost of living, including housing, food, transportation, taxes, and other essentials, based on the latest data as of February 2025. The analysis applies the 50/30/20 budgeting rule, assuming essentials make up 50% of expenses, while 30% goes to discretionary spending and 20% to savings or debt repayment.

The findings underscore how the high cost of living in New England continues to challenge residents, especially as inflation and housing costs remain elevated across the region.