Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Providence
190,214
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Providence
40.7%
Providence +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Providence
13.3%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 190,214 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 27.4% | 40.7% | Providence + |
| Black | 60.0% | 13.3% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Providence
$36,694
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Providence
$64,538
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Baltimore +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Providence
20.1%
Providence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
Providence
34.7%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $66,772 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $36,694 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $64,538 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 7.4% | Baltimore + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 20.1% | Providence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 34.7% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Baltimore +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $429,449 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 41.2% | Baltimore + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Baltimore +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 34.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 19.6% | Baltimore + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 14.6% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.7% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Providence
27.4 min
Providence +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 27.4 min | Providence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Baltimore has a lower unemployment rate at 6.6%, 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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