Albany GA vs Providence RI — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, GA
Georgia · Population: 67,939
- Median HH Income$45,201
- Median Home Price$131,279
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Albany
18.9%
Providence
40.7%
Providence +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Providence
13.3%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 190,214 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 18.9% | 40.7% | Providence + |
| Black | 76.3% | 13.3% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Providence
7.4%
Providence +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Providence
20.1%
Providence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $66,772 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $36,694 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $64,538 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 7.4% | Providence + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 20.1% | Providence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 34.7% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Providence
41.2%
Providence +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $429,449 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 41.2% | Providence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Providence
19.6%
Providence +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Providence
14.6%
Providence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 34.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 19.6% | Providence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 14.6% | Providence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 16.7% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Providence
75.0%
Providence +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Providence + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Albany +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Albany, GA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 27.4 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Albany. Providence has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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