Providence, RI vs Warwick, RI
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Providence, RI and Warwick, RI spend within 8.0% of each other per resident — $50,124 versus $46,415 — so on the headline spending-per-capita measure the two cities are effectively neck and neck.
Warwick, RI holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 56/100 (grade C) against 32/100 (grade F) for Providence, RI — a 24-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
On debt, Warwick, RI carries the lighter load at $165 per resident versus $1,664 for Providence, RI. Both cities pour the most per-resident dollars into the same function: education leads in Providence, RI at $29,047 per resident and in Warwick, RI at $26,642.
On the revenue side both lean hardest on other revenue — 15% of total revenue in Providence, RI and 19% in Warwick, RI.
Summary
Providence spends 8.0% more per capita than Warwick ($3,709/person difference). Warwick, RI has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 56/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Property Tax | $12 | $0 |
| Sales Tax | $97 | $103 |
| Intergovernmental | $695 | $2,416 |
| Charges & Fees | $4,981 | $1,544 |
| Other | $5,833 | $3,289 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Fire Protection | $455 | $265 |
| Highways & Roads | $605 | $147 |
| Education | $29,047 | $26,642 |
| Public Welfare | $375 | $1,000 |
| Health | $219 | $12 |
| Hospitals | $769 | $585 |
| Parks & Recreation | $653 | $284 |
| Housing | $5,495 | $2,809 |
| Sewerage | $204 | $116 |
| Utilities | $3,615 | $1,704 |
| Other | $8,688 | $12,850 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.