Best Cities for Young Professionals in Rhode Island
Rhode Island for Young Professionals: The Full Picture
Rhode Island ranks #20 out of 50 for young professionals, placing it in the upper tier for career-oriented relocators. The state's economy scores 47/100, with 4.3% unemployment and a median household income of $81,800. Modest population growth of 0.5% suggests a stable but not booming market.
For young professionals, the equation comes down to earning potential versus cost of living. With a cost-of-living index of 101, expenses are near the national norm — what you earn is roughly what you keep. Growth metrics are moderate, so career advancement may depend more on specific industries than broad market expansion.
Beyond the paycheck, livability matters. Rhode Island's livability score of 60/100 is adequate — metro areas have decent options, though the state isn't known as a cultural hub. Transportation is car-dependent in most areas (score: 53/100), which is worth factoring into housing location decisions.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Young Professionals
| # | City | Grade | Young Professionals Score | Overall | Economy | Growth | Livability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kingston | A+ | 60.7 | 64.9 | 46 | 50 | 55 | 6,953 |
| 2 | Cumberland Hill | A+ | 59.8 | 65.8 | 67 | 50 | 55 | 8,638 |
| 3 | Cranston | A | 58.7 | 61.3 | 59 | 52 | 53 | 82,640 |
| 4 | Wakefield-Peace Dale | A+ | 58.6 | 64.4 | 58 | 50 | 55 | 9,812 |
| 5 | Melville | A+ | 57.4 | 63.8 | 55 | 50 | 55 | 1,840 |
| 6 | Greenville | A | 57.1 | 63.1 | 51 | 50 | 55 | 8,586 |
| 7 | East Providence | B+ | 57.1 | 59.7 | 52 | 53 | 53 | 46,970 |
| 8 | Warwick | A | 56.4 | 61.6 | 58 | 46 | 47 | 82,997 |
| 9 | Tiverton | A | 56.2 | 62.2 | 50 | 50 | 55 | 8,151 |
| 10 | Westerly | A | 55.3 | 62.3 | 46 | 50 | 55 | 18,528 |
| 11 | Valley Falls | A | 54.9 | 60.9 | 51 | 50 | 55 | 12,370 |
| 12 | Newport East | B+ | 54.2 | 60.1 | 47 | 50 | 55 | 11,262 |
| 13 | Pascoag | B+ | 53.9 | 59.8 | 54 | 50 | 55 | 4,081 |
| 14 | Hope Valley | A | 53.7 | 60.7 | 53 | 50 | 55 | 2,147 |
| 15 | Newport | B+ | 53.5 | 57.2 | 55 | 34 | 40 | 25,029 |
| 16 | Narragansett Pier | B+ | 52.1 | 58.5 | 44 | 50 | 55 | 3,080 |
| 17 | Providence | C+ | 51.4 | 52.5 | 41 | 48 | 52 | 190,791 |
| 18 | Pawtucket | C+ | 51.3 | 52.7 | 42 | 50 | 53 | 75,312 |
| 19 | Woonsocket | C | 50.2 | 49.6 | 37 | 58 | 60 | 43,074 |
| 20 | Central Falls | C | 46.3 | 46.9 | 34 | 50 | 53 | 22,481 |