Pawtucket: The Data Profile (2026)

Pawtucket presents a distinct economic profile for the 2026 relocation market. The city supports a population of 75,312, positioning it as a manageable mid-sized urban environment. The primary economic friction point is the income-to-cost ratio: the median household income stands at $63,499, which is 14.9% lower than the national median of $74,580. This income gap is partially offset by a lower cost of living index, specifically in non-housing sectors.

Educational attainment is a key variable in the local labor market. Only 28.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, significantly trailing the US average of 33.1%. This suggests a workforce concentrated in trade and service sectors rather than high-tech industries, though proximity to Providence and Boston allows for commuter arbitrage. The statistical target demographic is the "value-oriented remote worker" or the "regional commuter" seeking lower housing costs than Providence while maintaining access to the Northeast corridor.

Cost of Living Analysis

The cost of living in Pawtucket remains favorable relative to national averages, with a composite index of roughly 96.0 (derived from sector weighting). The standout data point is energy costs, where electricity averages 28.65 cents/kWh, nearly 79% higher than the US average of 16.0 cents/kWh. This premium must be factored into monthly utility budgets.

Table 1: Cost of Living Breakdown (Monthly Budgets)

Disposable Income Analysis:
With a median income of $63,499, a single earner takes home approximately $4,200 monthly after taxes. The total monthly cost of $1,815 represents 43.2% of net income, which is high. However, for a dual-income household matching the median, the disposable income margin improves significantly, making the city viable for families with two earners.

Housing Market Deep Dive

The housing market is the city's primary financial asset. While home prices are near parity with the US average, rents are suppressed relative to the wider region. The Price-to-Rent ratio favors renting in the short term, but buying remains a stable entry point into the Northeast real estate market at a lower barrier to entry than Boston or Newport.

Table 2: Housing Market Data (Buying vs Renting Analysis)

Buy vs. Rent Verdict:
The data indicates a 27.6% savings on 1BR rentals compared to the national average. For a renter paying $1,050 monthly, the annual cost is $12,600. Buying at $385,000 requires significant capital but offers equity. Given the median income, renting is the statistically safer option for liquidity, while buying offers long-term appreciation potential in a region with limited housing supply.

Economic & Job Market Outlook

In 2026, the "Post-Remote" economy has stabilized. Pawtucket's proximity to Providence (less than 10 minutes) and Boston (under an hour by train) makes it a strategic "bedroom community." The local unemployment rate is 4.3%, slightly above the US average of 4.0%, reflecting a tighter local job market.

Commute & RTO Impact:
For local employment, the average commute time is 24 minutes. However, the "Super Commuter" to Boston is viable via the MBTA Providence/Stoughton Line. With Return-to-Office (RTO) mandates stabilizing at 3-4 days per week in Boston, Pawtucket offers a cost arbitrage of roughly 40-50% on housing compared to living within the I-95 loop in Boston.

Quality of Life Audit

While the economy is modest, the quality of life metrics are generally strong, with the exception of specific health risk factors. Air quality is excellent, and crime is significantly below national averages.

Table 3: Quality of Life Metrics

Safety Analysis:
Pawtucket is a statistically safe city. Violent crime stands at 160 incidents per 100k people, drastically lower than the US average of 380. Property crime is 1,457 per 100k, compared to the national 2,000.

Schools & Weather:
The educational attainment gap (28.2% college educated) correlates with local school performance, which averages a C+ rating in state assessments. Weather is seasonal; today's temperature of 37.0°F with a high of 45°F is standard for winter. Residents must prepare for roughly 5-6 months of cold weather annually.

The Verdict

Pros:

• Housing Value: Rent is 27.6% below the national average.
• Safety: Violent crime is 58% lower than the US average.
• Air Quality: AQI of 38 is pristine, beating the US average by 30%.

Cons:

• Income Cap: Median income is $63,499, significantly lower than the national standard.
• Health Metrics: Obesity (35.6%) and Diabetes (12.2%) rates are elevated.
• Energy Costs: Electricity is 79% more expensive than the national average.

Recommendation:
Pawtucket is a Buy (for families) / Rent (for singles) recommendation. It is ideal for remote workers earning a national-average salary who can leverage the $1,050 rent prices to build savings, or for dual-income households commuting to Providence/Boston. It is not recommended for single-income earners relying on the local job market alone, due to the $63,499 income ceiling.

FAQs

1. What salary is needed to live comfortably in Pawtucket?
For a single person, a salary of $60,000 is required to maintain a 30% housing burden. For a family, a combined income of $100,000 is recommended to offset the high electricity costs (28.65 cents/kWh) and maintain savings.

2. How does the value compare to Providence?
Pawtucket offers 10-15% cheaper rent than Providence, with a 15-minute shorter commute to Boston via train. However, Providence offers higher dining and cultural indices (105.0 vs 98.3).

3. Are the safety stats reliable?
Yes. With a violent crime rate of 160/100k, Pawtucket is statistically one of the safest small cities in New England, outperforming larger metros by a wide margin.

4. Is buying a home a good investment here?
With a median home price of $385,000 (below the US average), the entry point is attractive. However, the 14.9% income deficit against the US average may limit future appreciation speed compared to high-growth tech hubs.