MA vs. RI - taxes (Fall River, Somerset: low income, apartments, car registration)

[2MuchDuctTape]

Hi everyone,

Did a search and couldn't find anything on this (or maybe I'm bad at searches?). Anyhow...

I may be moving to New England. My job would be in Fall River, MA. I've heard Fall River isn't exactly the best place to live, though. I was thinking of a city outside of Fall River (west of it, to be exact) like Somerset, or Swansea.

I have a friend in Providence...he wants me to move with him. This would of course increase my driving distance. With gas as high as it is....ouch! I actually did some math....it would cost me about $1,350 MORE per year to live in Providence and drive to work than to live in Somerset/Swansea and drive to work.

I've done some Craigstlist hunting for apts., and Providence isn't as expensive as I thought it would be to live in, plus there are more choices for apartments (Swansea and Somerset I need to find random roommates....there aren't many apt. complexes there).

So my big question is: are the taxes in RI lower than MA? I know MA rips you a lot in taxes (I know RI does too), but I don't know how much it would be? If the taxes in RI are low enough to justify the cost of driving, I might just take a harder look at Providence.

[CaseyB]

You pay taxes to the state you work in, so you'll be paying Mass. Income Tax anyway.

[professorsenator]

MA has a flat income tax (5.3%) while RI's income tax is progressive (i.e. the rate increases for higher incomes) and it is based off of your federal AGI. For high income folks, MA taxes are often lower. For low income people, RI's may be a bit lower. For middle income people the differences are pretty small. Somerset/Swansea are completely unremarkable 'burbs -- I would suggest living in Providence if you're look for something interesting.

[smarty]

Everyone is correct... Since you're RI resident but work in MA

You pay MA incoming tax first 5.3%. Depending on how much you make, you may also have to pay the difference to RI. If you make $100K, you'll have to pay 7.75-5.3= 2.45% additional to RI. If you make $31K, then you just have to pay MA 5.3% tax.


Rhode Island collects taxes from its residents at the following rates over five income brackets.

From bankrate.com
For single taxpayers:
-- 3.75 percent on the first $31,850 of taxable income.
-- 7 percent on taxable income between $31,851 and $77,100.
-- 7.75 percent on taxable income between $77,101 and $160,850.
-- 9 percent on taxable income between $160,851 and $349,700.
-- 9.9 percent on taxable income of $349,701 and above.

[Crispo]

Smarty is mixing marginal rates with average rates. At 100K, the differences in average rates are much smaller.

FYI, Providence is more interesting than FR, but don't forget about Providence's 7.5% car tax. On a 30K car, this tax runs almost 2K a year

[leorah]

Providence is within easy driving distance of Fall River, Somerset & Swansea, so depending upon your anticipated income, you might be better off living in MA and going to PVD for entertainment and cultural events. Providence is indeed a great city, and a pretty livable one, but there are dicey neighborhoods there, too, and everyone I know who works in MA and lives in RI complains about RI taxes and fees. There are some very nice areas of Fall River and housing is pretty reasonable there. While the city, like many former mill towns, has many depressed areas, it isn't altogether bad. Depends on what you are looking for, what you can afford and how you want to spend your disposable income.

[professorsenator]

Originally Posted by leorah

There are some very nice areas of Fall River and housing is pretty reasonable there. While the city, like many former mill towns, has many depressed areas, it isn't altogether bad...

While there are a one or two places in Fall River that are nice, overall the place is a dump. Fall River had its economic hey-day over 100 years ago and has nothing going for it now. It's an economically depressed wasteland that has no future. The city is cursed by poor political leadership (largely as the result of a myopic and insular electorate) and a populace that has low education levels and commits crime at a higher-than-average rate. There are some places in the U.S. that are worse (Camden, NJ; Flint, MI) but not many.

[2MuchDuctTape]

Wow these are all great responses, thanks a lot everyone.

I also know there are a lot of other small differences too...Car registration fees and whatnot.

I actually used to live in Providence myself, but I was a student and wasn't thinking much about taxes and the time. I DO know that you cannot park on the street overnight!

First night there, I wake up to go to my summer job and find a ticket on my car! I cop was nearby so I asked him "Why did I get a parking ticket?" His response was "Its Providence, you can't park on the street overnight, don't you know that?"

[Boomerang]

I lived in southeastern MA for awhile, and I would not live in either Fall River or Providence if you paid me to. Of course, if you have a friend in Providence already to share expenses and provide some company, that may tip the scales in P's favor, but be prepared for traffic jams as well as the extra cost of gas.

Swansea's not bad - at least it's convenient and has all the stores you'll ever need. The Barrington RI area is quite pretty. It all depends on what you're looking for. Peace & quiet? Nightlife?

You might want to see if you can stay with your friend temporarily, while checking out the area before deciding where to live.