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Nurse Practitioners Salary in Rhode Island: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Nurse Practitioners salary really buy you in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island is 4.7% pricier than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$135,970
Median annual (2025)
-4.5%
Real Purchasing Power
$129,866
COL-adjusted (RPP=104.7)

Rhode Island Cost of Living Index

Rhode Island's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 104.7, meaning prices are 4.7% higher the national average. A Nurse Practitioners earning $135,970 in Rhode Island has the equivalent purchasing power of $129,866 in an average-cost US state.

RI: 104.7
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

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) $111,420 $106,418 $-5,001
25th Percentile (P25) $131,310 $125,415 $-5,894
Median (P50) $135,970 $129,866 $-6,103
75th Percentile (P75) $163,450 $156,112 $-7,337
90th Percentile (P90) $176,410 $168,490 $-7,919
Key Insight

While $135,970 sounds high, Rhode Island's elevated cost of living erases 4% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $129,866. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Rhode Island Is a High-Cost State

RPP 104.7

Rhode Island's RPP of 104.7 puts it 4.7% above the national baseline cost of living. A Nurse Practitioners needs that premium in nominal pay just to maintain the same purchasing power as an average-cost state.

Meaningful Purchasing-Power Shift

-4.5%

After applying Rhode Island's RPP, the $135,970 median salary translates to $129,866 in real terms — a 4.5% loss. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Nurse Practitioners.

Bottom-Quartile COL-Adjusted Pay

#41 / 51

Rhode Island ranks #41 of 51 — bottom quartile for Nurse Practitioners real purchasing power. Relocation, employer negotiation, or remote roles at higher-paying markets tend to generate the biggest ROI.

Best States for Nurse Practitioners (After Cost of Living)

Where does Nurse Practitioners salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Alaska
$152,127
RPP 102.0
2. Montana
$151,949
RPP 90.3
$151,120
RPP 91.0
$150,213
RPP 88.8
$149,795
RPP 112.5
6. Iowa
$147,239
RPP 88.4
$147,138
RPP 89.8
$146,640
RPP 88.7
$146,424
RPP 108.8
$146,409
RPP 88.0

Rhode Island ranks #41 out of 51 states for Nurse Practitioners after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Nurse Practitioners take-home pay in Rhode Island after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Nurse Practitioners in Rhode Island after cost of living?

A Nurse Practitioners in Rhode Island earns a median salary of $135,970 per year. After adjusting for Rhode Island's cost of living (RPP=104.7), the real purchasing power is $129,866 — a -4.5% difference.

Is Rhode Island expensive to live in?

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).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

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.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Nurse Practitioners in Rhode Island: $135,970 x (100 / 104.7) = $129,866. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Does the high cost of living in Rhode Island offset the salary?

Partially — a Nurse Practitioners's nominal salary of $135,970 in Rhode Island has 4.5% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $129,866. However, Rhode Island may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.

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