The Real Salary Guide to Pawtucket, RI: Is $100k Enough?

You see a $100,000 job offer in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. The sticker price looks solid. But you aren't earning $100,000. You are earning $74,236.

This guide strips away the gross salary fantasy and analyzes what your bank account actually sees.

The Verification Test ($100,000 Analysis)

Let’s run the Verification Test on a $100,000 salary. This is the difference between the "sticker price" and the "window price."

• Gross Salary: $100,000
• Federal Tax: -$13,614
• FICA Tax: -$7,650
• State Tax (RI): -$4,500
• Local Tax: $0

The Reality Check:
You are losing 25.7% of your income to taxes before you buy a single coffee. Rhode Island is not a tax haven. That $4,500 state levy is a recurring penalty for working in the Ocean State.

• Sticker Price: $100,000
• Take Home Pay: $74,236
• Annual "Loss": $25,764

If you budget based on $100k, you will have a $2,000 monthly deficit. You must budget based on the $74,236 reality.

Smart Budget Breakdown (50/30/20 Rule)

Your net monthly income is $6,186. Here is how you survive and build wealth in Pawtucket using the 50/30/20 rule.

Needs: $3,093 (50%)

Can you afford rent?
Pawtucket is an extension of the Providence metro area. The average rent for a one-bedroom hovers around $1,600 - $1,800.

• Rent: $1,700
• Utilities/Internet: $200
• Groceries: $400
• Transport (Car Insurance/Gas): $500
• Health Insurance (Post-tax): $293

Verdict: You are hovering right at the limit. You can afford a decent apartment, but if rent spikes past $1,900, your "Needs" bucket explodes, forcing you to cannibalize your savings.

Savings: $1,237 (20%)

Wealth Creation
This is your escape velocity. $1,237/month is a strong position.

• Roth IRA Max: $583/mo (approx.)
• Emergency Fund/Investments: $654/mo

If you invest this $1,237 consistently, you are building a massive advantage over peers in high-tax states who are bleeding cash.

Wants: $1,856 (30%)

Disposable Income
This covers dining out in Downtown Pawtucket, weekend trips to Boston, and entertainment. It is a healthy budget, provided you don't have a car payment eating into it.

Pawtucket Taxes vs The Competition

How does $74,236 in Pawtucket compare to other hubs?

1. Pawtucket vs. New York City (The Tax Grinder)

• Pawtucket Take Home: $74,236
• NYC Take Home: ~$65,000 (Est. combined NY + NYC tax)
• Difference: You keep $9,000 more in Pawtucket. That is a free vacation or a maxed-out IRA every single year.

2. Pawtucket vs. Austin, TX (The No-Tax State)

• Pawtucket Take Home: $74,236
• Austin Take Home: ~$76,500 (No state income tax)
• Difference: Austin nets you about $200 more per month. However, property taxes in Texas are significantly higher. If you own a home, Pawtucket often balances out the equation.

The Verdict: Pawtucket sits in the middle. It isn't a tax black hole like NYC, but it certainly isn't tax-friendly like Texas or Florida.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the income tax rate in Pawtucket?
A: Pawtucket has 0% local city income tax. However, you are subject to Rhode Island state income tax. Based on a $100,000 salary, your effective RI state tax burden is roughly 4.5% ($4,500).

Q: Is $100k a good salary in Pawtucket?
A: Yes, but only if you treat the $74,236 take-home pay as your hard ceiling. It provides a comfortable life with a healthy savings rate of $1,237/month, but it does not provide "money is no object" luxury.

Q: Does Pawtucket have a local city tax?
A: No. Pawtucket does not levy a municipal income tax on residents, which is a significant saving compared to cities in neighboring Massachusetts.

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Methodology: Calculations based on IRS 2026 Tax Brackets (Single Filer, Standard Deduction), FICA rates, and RI State Tax tables. Cost of living data cross-referenced with Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and State Comptroller projections.