Compare towns
Johnston vs Dedham vs North Providence
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Johnston has the shortest commute (24 min average).
Dedham has the most expensive homes ($662k median).
North Providence has grown the fastest since 2010 (+6.3%).
What matters to you?
Pick a few. We’ll pull those rows to the top and mark which town comes out ahead on each. There’s no overall score: what matters is up to you.
| Measure | Johnston | Dedham | North Providence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 29,835 |
25,237Lowest |
34,293Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +2.8% U.S.: +7.4% |
+2.6%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+6.3%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 44.5±2.5 14% above U.S. |
44.6±1.6Highest 15% above U.S. |
42.1±1.9Lowest 8% above U.S. |
| Dedham and Johnston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 17.5%±2.4Lowest U.S.: 22% |
18.6%±1.9Highest U.S.: 22% |
17.7%±2.3 U.S.: 22% |
| Dedham and North Providence are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 22.1%±2.6Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
21.9%±2 U.S.: 17.2% |
20.9%±2.1Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Johnston and Dedham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 28.9%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
55%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
36.9% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.1%±1.6 U.S.: 6.4% |
5.6%±1Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
6.2%±1.4Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
| North Providence and Johnston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $91,866±$6k 14% above U.S. |
$128,955±$10kHighest 60% above U.S. |
$83,756±$6kLowest 4% above U.S. |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $355,500±$13kLowest 7% above U.S. |
$661,800±$16kHighest 99% above U.S. |
$355,900±$12k 7% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,275±$132Lowest 10% below U.S. |
$2,042±$182Highest 45% above U.S. |
$1,405±$64 about the U.S. average |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,614Lowest 48% above U.S. |
$7,918Highest 154% above U.S. |
$4,843 55% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 38.1%±8.7Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
56.4%±10Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
42.7%±6.2 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Dedham and North Providence are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 7.9% U.S.: 12.5% |
5.6%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
9.3%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 75.9%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
73.4% U.S.: 65.2% |
63.9%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1968 12 yrs older than U.S. |
1956Lowest 24 yrs older than U.S. |
1970Highest 10 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 24 minLowest 11% below U.S. |
29 minHighest 11% above U.S. |
27 min 3% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 9.9%±2.3Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
20%±2.7Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
12.4%±2.5 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Schools | |||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | #32 of 38 in RI | #119 of 282 in MA | #26 of 38 in RI |
| School district | Johnston | — | North Providence · Excel Academy Rhode Island |
| High school in town | Johnston Senior High | — | North Providence High |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 10.3Lowest |
— | 12.8Highest |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | None yet |
U.S. average · Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024; 2010 & 2020 decennial census; NCES Common Core of Data. “±” is the Census margin of error. Property tax is top-coded by the Census at $10,000+. School rank compares math and reading proficiency against the state average.