Flint 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)
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
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
Flint
80,835
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Flint
34.4%
Providence
40.7%
Providence +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Providence
13.3%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 190,214 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 34.4% | 40.7% | Providence + |
| Black | 56.6% | 13.3% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Providence
7.4%
Providence +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Providence
20.1%
Providence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $66,772 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $36,694 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $64,538 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 7.4% | Providence + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 20.1% | Providence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 34.7% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Flint, MI | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $429,449 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 41.2% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Flint, 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
Flint
50.5%
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Providence
19.6%
Providence +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Flint +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 34.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 19.6% | Providence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 14.6% | Flint + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 16.7% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Providence
75.0%
Providence +
| Metric | Flint, 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
Flint
25.0 min
Flint +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Flint, MI | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 27.4 min | Flint + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. 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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