Dallas TX 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)
Dallas, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$311,957
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
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
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Providence
190,214
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Dallas +
Providence
13.3%
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 190,214 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 41.9% | 40.7% | Dallas + |
| Black | 23.7% | 13.3% | Dallas + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Dallas +
Providence
$66,772
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Dallas +
Providence
$36,694
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Dallas +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Dallas +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Dallas +
Providence
34.7%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $66,772 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $36,694 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $64,538 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 7.4% | Dallas + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 20.1% | Dallas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 34.7% | Dallas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Dallas +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Dallas +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $429,449 | Dallas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 41.2% | Dallas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
36.8%
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Dallas +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Providence
14.6%
Providence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Providence
16.7%
Providence +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 34.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 19.6% | Dallas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 14.6% | Providence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 16.7% | Providence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Providence
75.0%
Providence +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Providence + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dallas
28.3 min
Providence
27.4 min
Providence +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 27.4 min | Providence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dallas leads in median household income at $67,760, while dallas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $311,957. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Dallas. Dallas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, 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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