Boston MA 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)
Boston, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 663,972
- Median HH Income$94,755
- Median Home Price$793,154
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+54.1%
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
Boston
663,972
Boston +
Providence
190,214
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boston
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Boston
33.2
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Boston
27.5%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Boston
47.8%
Boston +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Boston
21.5%
Boston +
Providence
13.3%
Asian
Boston
10.0%
Boston +
Providence
5.9%
Hispanic
Boston
18.9%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Boston
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | 190,214 | Boston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.2 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 27.5% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 47.8% | 40.7% | Boston + |
| Black | 21.5% | 13.3% | Boston + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 5.9% | Boston + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boston
$94,755
Boston +
Providence
$66,772
Per Capita Income
Boston
$60,001
Boston +
Providence
$36,694
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
Providence
$64,538
Unemployment Rate
Boston
6.0%
Boston +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Boston
16.9%
Boston +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boston
54.1%
Boston +
Providence
34.7%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,755 | $66,772 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Income | $60,001 | $36,694 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $64,538 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 7.4% | Boston + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.9% | 20.1% | Boston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.1% | 34.7% | Boston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boston
$793,154
Providence
$429,449
Providence +
Homeownership Rate
Boston
35.4%
Providence
41.2%
Providence +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $793,154 | $429,449 | Providence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.4% | 41.2% | Providence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
326
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
1086
Boston +
Providence
1303
| Metric | Boston, MA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1303 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
23.4%
Boston +
Providence
34.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
8.6%
Boston +
Providence
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boston
18.0%
Boston +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boston
6.3%
Boston +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boston
20.7%
Providence
16.7%
Providence +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boston
10.7%
Boston +
Providence
12.1%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 34.4% | Boston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 11.5% | Boston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 19.6% | Boston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 14.6% | Boston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 16.7% | Providence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 12.1% | Boston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
51.5°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
43.8 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boston
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boston, MA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boston
33.1 min
Providence
27.4 min
Providence +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 27.4 min | Providence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boston leads in median household income at $94,755, while providence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,449. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Boston. Boston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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