Warwick, RI vs Providence, 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 Warwick, RI at $26,642 per resident and in Providence, RI at $29,047.
On the revenue side both lean hardest on other revenue — 19% of total revenue in Warwick, RI and 15% in Providence, RI.
Summary
Providence spends 7.4% 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 | $0 | $12 |
| Sales Tax | $103 | $97 |
| Intergovernmental | $2,416 | $695 |
| Charges & Fees | $1,544 | $4,981 |
| Other | $3,289 | $5,833 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Fire Protection | $265 | $455 |
| Highways & Roads | $147 | $605 |
| Education | $26,642 | $29,047 |
| Public Welfare | $1,000 | $375 |
| Health | $12 | $219 |
| Hospitals | $585 | $769 |
| Parks & Recreation | $284 | $653 |
| Housing | $2,809 | $5,495 |
| Sewerage | $116 | $204 |
| Utilities | $1,704 | $3,615 |
| Other | $12,850 | $8,688 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.