Cost of Living in Westerly, RI
Population 18,528 · Rhode Island · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Westerly is a smaller Rhode Island community of around 19000 residents, where median household incomes of $82,333 and housing costs ($400,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape.
Located 35 miles southwest of Providence, Westerly falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 24% higher than Providence's $323,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Westerly
The median home value in Westerly is $400,200 — 31% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,243/month, 5% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $82,333/year is 10% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.4%, below the national average of 4.8%. Rhode Island's top state income tax rate is 6.0% and the combined sales tax is 7.0%. The climate averages highs of 60.5°F and lows of 44.5°F. Overall, Westerly has a cost of living index of 117 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 17% more expensive.
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
🌤 Climate
NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 40 | 41 | 47 | 57 | 67 | 75 | 82 | 81 | 74 | 64 | 54 | 45 |
| Low °F | 25 | 26 | 32 | 41 | 50 | 59 | 66 | 64 | 57 | 47 | 38 | 30 |
| Precip" | 3.34 | 2.75 | 4.17 | 3.90 | 3.32 | 3.55 | 2.91 | 3.49 | 3.81 | 4.29 | 3.50 | 3.77 |
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Westerly, RI?
Westerly has a cost index of 117 (100 = national average). It is 17% above the national average.
What is average rent in Westerly, RI?
The median gross rent in Westerly is $1,243 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Westerly?
The median home value in Westerly is $400,200 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Westerly?
The median household income in Westerly is $82,333 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Westerly, RI?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Westerly is 7.0%. The Rhode Island state income tax top rate is 6.0%.
Is Westerly, RI affordable?
Westerly is above average in cost of living, with an index of 117 — about 17% higher than the national average.
What is the weather like in Westerly?
Westerly has average high temperatures of 60.5°F and average lows of 44.5°F. Annual precipitation is 42.8". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Westerly at a Glance
- Population
- 18,528
- Median Income
- $82,333
- Home Value
- $400,200
- Median Rent
- $1,243/mo
- Unemployment
- 4.4%
- Avg High Temp
- 60.5°F
- Sales Tax
- 7.0%
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Explore county-level cost of living data
Rhode Island Rankings
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