Central Falls, RI Cost Of Living

Demographics | Crime | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2025-10-24

Cost Of Living In Central Falls, RI Summary

Cost of living in Central Falls research summary. The cost of living index is set to 100 for the average place in the United States. A cost of living index above 100 means Central Falls is expensive. An index value below 100 means the city is a relatively cheap place to live.

On a city-by-city basis in Rhode Island, home prices and rent have the biggest impact on the cost of living. Here are the key takeaways based on Saturday Night Science:

  • The cost of living index in Central Falls is 103, with 100 being the average.

  • The cost of living index in Central Falls is 1.0x higher than the national average.

  • Central Falls ranks as the #1 cheapest in Rhode Island out of 15.

  • Central Falls ranks as the #2,952 cheapest out of 6,489 in the US.

  • The median home value in Central Falls is $375,711.

  • The median income in Central Falls is $45,921.

Table Of Contents

  1. Summary
  2. National Comparison
  3. Housing Breakdown
  4. Detailed Pricing
  5. Nearby Comparisons
103
Central Falls's Overall Cost Of Living
1.0x
Higher Than The National Average

What is the cost of living in Central Falls, RI?

According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Central Falls has an overall cost of living index of 103, which is 1.0x higher than the national index of 100.

Compared to Rhode Island, Central Falls has a cost of living index that's 0.9x lower than Rhode Island's index of 111.

The standard of living in Central Falls ranks as #1 most affordable out of the 15 places we measured in Rhode Island. By definition, that implies Central Falls ranks as the #14 most expensive place in the Ocean State.

For more reading on life in Central Falls, check out:

1 out of 15
In Rhode Island
2,952 out of 6,489
In America

Central Falls Cost Of Living Vs. Rhode Island

Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Central Falls. Here is how it fairs on each of the criteria:

  • The Services index in Central Falls is 114.

  • The Groceries index in Central Falls is 104.

  • The Health index in Central Falls is 108.

  • The Housing index in Central Falls is 93.

  • The Transportation index in Central Falls is 95.

  • The Utilities index in Central Falls is 112.

Living Expense Central Falls Rhode Island National Average
Overall 103 111 100
Services 114 113 100
Groceries 104 100 100
Health 108 110 100
Housing 93 121 100
Transportation 95 91 100
Utilities 112 114 100
For more reading on cost of living around Rhode Island, check out:
Central Falls Cost of Living Vs. RI

Central Falls, RI Housing Cost Breakdown

Housing swings affordability the most between places in Rhode Island, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2019-2023. The key points are:

  • The Median Home Value in Central Falls is $375,711.

  • The Median Rent in Central Falls is $1,118.

  • The Median Income in Central Falls is $45,921.

  • The Home Value To Income in Central Falls is 8.2x.

  • The Rent To Monthly Income in Central Falls is 0.29x.

Statistic Central Falls Rhode Island United States
Median Home Value $375,711 $490,356 $303,400
Median Rent $1,118 $1,273 $1,348
Median Income $45,921 $86,372 $78,538
Home Value To Income 8.2x 5.7x 3.9x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.29x 0.18x 0.21x
$375,711
Median Home Value
$1,118
Median Rent
$45,921
Median Income

Central Falls, RI Costs By Category

Detailed Central Falls Services Costs Vs. Rhode Island

Item Central Falls Rhode Island
Shampoo $1.43 $1.28
Movie $14.37 $12.13
Bowling $22.72 $18
Haircut $31.5 $24.26
Beauty Salon $49.92 $45.56

Detailed Central Falls Groceries Costs Vs. Rhode Island

Item Central Falls Rhode Island
Ground Beef $5.85 $5.84
Fried Chicken $1.43 $1.57
Milk $4.74 $4.67
Potatoes $5.0 $4.93
Pizza $11.59 $12.09
Beer $10.74 $10.41
Toothpaste $3.46 $3.7

Detailed Central Falls Health Costs Vs. Rhode Island

Item Central Falls Rhode Island
Optometrist $104.45 $125.68
Doctor $169.83 $135.78
Dentist $130.28 $113.29

Detailed Central Falls Transportation Costs Vs. Rhode Island

Item Central Falls Rhode Island
Gasoline $3.38 $3.46
Tire Balancing $48.2 $59.92

Detailed Central Falls Utilities Costs Vs. Rhode Island

Item Central Falls Rhode Island
All Electricity $230.62 $193.99
Phone $195.18 $192.25

Central Falls SnackAbility

4
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
4/10
Housing
8
Affordability
3
Diversity
8.5
Safety
6
Amenities
9.5
Education
3
Commute
6

Cost Of Living In Cities Around Central Falls

The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Central Falls. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:

  • Providence, RI has a cost of living index of 111, 1.1x Central Falls.

  • Cranston, RI has a cost of living index of 116, 1.1x Central Falls.

  • Pawtucket, RI has a cost of living index of 110, 1.1x Central Falls.

City Population Cost Of Living Vs. Central Falls
Providence, RI 190,214 111 1.1x
Cranston, RI 82,632 116 1.1x
Pawtucket, RI 75,280 110 1.1x
East Providence, RI 46,970 110 1.1x
Attleboro, MA 46,499 124 1.2x
Woonsocket, RI 43,074 105 1.0x
Milford, MA 27,919 126 1.2x
Somerset, MA 18,246 120 1.2x
Valley Falls, RI 12,370 114 1.1x
Cumberland Hill, RI 8,638 118 1.1x

Articles About Rhode Island

Enjoy The Snack?