Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Providence
190,214
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Providence
40.7%
Providence +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Providence
13.3%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 190,214 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 11.7% | 40.7% | Providence + |
| Black | 76.8% | 13.3% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Providence
7.4%
Providence +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Providence
20.1%
Providence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $66,772 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $36,694 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $64,538 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 7.4% | Providence + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 20.1% | Providence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 34.7% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $429,449 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 41.2% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Providence
19.6%
Providence +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 34.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 19.6% | Providence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 14.6% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.7% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Providence
75.0%
Providence +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Providence + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 27.4 min | Detroit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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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