Cleveland OH 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)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Providence
190,214
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Providence
40.7%
Providence +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Providence
13.3%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 190,214 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 36.7% | 40.7% | Providence + |
| Black | 46.8% | 13.3% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Providence
7.4%
Providence +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Providence
20.1%
Providence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $66,772 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $36,694 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $64,538 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 7.4% | Providence + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 20.1% | Providence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 34.7% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Providence
41.2%
Providence +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $429,449 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 41.2% | Providence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Providence
19.6%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Cleveland +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Cleveland +
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 34.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 19.6% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 14.6% | Cleveland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.7% | Cleveland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Providence
75.0%
Providence +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Providence + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Cleveland +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 27.4 min | Cleveland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Cleveland. 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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