Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
What does a Cost Estimators salary really buy you in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island is 4.7% pricier than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19
Rhode Island's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 104.7, meaning prices are 4.7% higher the national average. A Cost Estimators earning $81,990 in Rhode Island has the equivalent purchasing power of $78,309 in an average-cost US state.
Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Rhode Island's cost of living.
| Percentile | Nominal Salary | COL-Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $60,180 | $57,478 | $-2,701 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $69,470 | $66,351 | $-3,118 |
| Median (P50) | $81,990 | $78,309 | $-3,680 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $98,100 | $93,696 | $-4,403 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $130,740 | $124,871 | $-5,868 |
While $81,990 sounds high, Rhode Island's elevated cost of living erases 4% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $78,309. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.
Rhode Island's RPP of 104.7 puts it 4.7% above the national baseline cost of living. A Cost Estimators needs that premium in nominal pay just to maintain the same purchasing power as an average-cost state.
After applying Rhode Island's RPP, the $81,990 median salary translates to $78,309 in real terms — a 4.5% loss. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Cost Estimators.
Rhode Island's rank of #35 of 51 states means real purchasing power for Cost Estimators trails the national half-way line.
Where does Cost Estimators salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Rhode Island ranks #35 out of 51 states for Cost Estimators after cost-of-living adjustment.
How much do you actually take home? See Cost Estimators take-home pay in Rhode Island after taxes →
A Cost Estimators in Rhode Island earns a median salary of $81,990 per year. After adjusting for Rhode Island's cost of living (RPP=104.7), the real purchasing power is $78,309 — a -4.5% difference.
Rhode Island's cost of living is 4.7% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Rhode Island is 104.7 (US average = 100).
Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.
The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Cost Estimators in Rhode Island: $81,990 x (100 / 104.7) = $78,309. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
Partially — a Cost Estimators's nominal salary of $81,990 in Rhode Island has 4.5% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $78,309. However, Rhode Island may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.