Cost of living in Providence, Rhode Island (United States) is 24% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States)
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This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 14 prices entered by 5 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 14% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Providence, Rhode Island (United States) is 14% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Providence, Rhode Island | Iowa City, Iowa | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $17 | $16 | + 11% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $10 | $8 | + 20% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $4.60 | $5.02 | - 8% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $0.92 | $1.01 | - 9% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $3.84 | $2.80 | + 37% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.32 | $4.92 | - 12% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $5.03 | $7 | - 32% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.77 | $2.79 | + 35% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.79 | $1.74 | + 3% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.16 | $2.31 | + 37% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $19 | $15 | + 28% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.28 | $1.99 | + 15% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.52 | $1.80 | + 40% | |
| Housing | + 22% | |||
| Housing in Providence, Rhode Island (United States) is 22% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Providence, Rhode Island | Iowa City, Iowa | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $1,908 | $1,810 | + 5% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $1,741 | $1,036 | + 68% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $250 | $153 | + 63% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $1,627 | $1,075 | + 51% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,154 | $753 | + 53% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $143 | $127 | + 13% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $47 | $48 | - 2% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $192 | $387 | - 50% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $93 | $86 | + 9% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $8 | $11 | - 27% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $20 | $24 | - 18% | |
| Clothes | - 10% | |||
| Clothes in Providence, Rhode Island (United States) is 10% cheaper than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Providence, Rhode Island | Iowa City, Iowa | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $52 | $48 | + 9% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $38 | $58 | - 34% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $115 | $77 | + 49% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $115 | $102 | + 13% | |
| Transportation | + 68% | |||
| Transportation in Providence, Rhode Island (United States) is 68% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Providence, Rhode Island | Iowa City, Iowa | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $22,507 | $23,749 | - 5% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.91 | $0.72 | + 26% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $69 | $30 | + 131% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $16 | $17 | - 3% | |
| Personal Care | + 6% | |||
| Personal Care in Providence, Rhode Island (United States) is 6% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Providence, Rhode Island | Iowa City, Iowa | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $7 | $8 | - 8% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $8 | - | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $103 | - | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $7 | $7 | + 9% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.70 | $3.53 | + 33% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $5.22 | $5.28 | - 1% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $3.55 | $3.18 | + 12% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $1.93 | $1.83 | + 6% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $21 | $23 | - 9% | |
| Entertainment | + 8% | |||
| Entertainment in Providence, Rhode Island (United States) is 8% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Providence, Rhode Island | Iowa City, Iowa | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $53 | $42 | + 27% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $24 | $21 | + 18% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $218 | $108 | + 102% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $65 | $80 | - 19% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $12 | $7 | + 63% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.29 | $4.01 | + 32% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $5.26 | $4.44 | + 19% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $383 | $479 | - 20% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.28 | - | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $35 | $46 | - 24% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $11 | $8 | + 37% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 24% | ||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 14 prices entered by 5 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 13, 2025.
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For example, you would need at least $6,465 in Providence, Rhode Island to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with $5,200 in Iowa City, Iowa.
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