Fort Lauderdale FL 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)
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
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
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Providence
13.3%
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 190,214 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 51.3% | 40.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Black | 28.8% | 13.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Providence
$66,772
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Providence
$36,694
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Fort Lauderdale +
Providence
$64,538
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Providence
34.7%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $66,772 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $36,694 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $64,538 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 7.4% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 20.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 34.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Providence
$429,449
Providence +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $429,449 | Providence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 41.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Providence
34.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Providence
14.6%
Providence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 34.4% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 19.6% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 14.6% | Providence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 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
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Providence
27.4 min
Providence +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 27.4 min | Providence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, 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 324 in Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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