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What does a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant 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 Food Servers, Nonrestaurant earning $34,860 in Rhode Island has the equivalent purchasing power of $33,295 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) | $31,320 | $29,914 | $-1,405 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $33,780 | $32,263 | $-1,516 |
| Median (P50) | $34,860 | $33,295 | $-1,564 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $37,860 | $36,160 | $-1,699 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $42,990 | $41,060 | $-1,929 |
While $34,860 sounds high, Rhode Island's elevated cost of living erases 4% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $33,295. 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 Food Servers, Nonrestaurant 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 $34,860 median salary translates to $33,295 in real terms — a 4.5% loss. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant.
Rhode Island's rank of #38 of 51 states means real purchasing power for Food Servers, Nonrestaurant trails the national half-way line.
Where does Food Servers, Nonrestaurant salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Rhode Island ranks #38 out of 51 states for Food Servers, Nonrestaurant after cost-of-living adjustment.
How much do you actually take home? See Food Servers, Nonrestaurant take-home pay in Rhode Island after taxes →
A Food Servers, Nonrestaurant in Rhode Island earns a median salary of $34,860 per year. After adjusting for Rhode Island's cost of living (RPP=104.7), the real purchasing power is $33,295 — 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 Food Servers, Nonrestaurant in Rhode Island: $34,860 x (100 / 104.7) = $33,295. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
Partially — a Food Servers, Nonrestaurant's nominal salary of $34,860 in Rhode Island has 4.5% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $33,295. However, Rhode Island may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.
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