Fresno CA 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)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Providence
190,214
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Providence
32.9
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Fresno
38.0%
Providence
40.7%
Providence +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Providence
5.9%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Providence
44.3%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 190,214 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 32.9 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 38.0% | 40.7% | Providence + |
| Black | 6.7% | 13.3% | Providence + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 5.9% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 44.3% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
Providence
$66,772
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Providence
$64,538
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Providence
7.4%
Providence +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Providence
20.1%
Providence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $66,772 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $36,694 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $64,538 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 7.4% | Providence + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 20.1% | Providence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 34.7% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Fresno +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Fresno +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $429,449 | Fresno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 41.2% | Fresno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Fresno +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Providence
14.6%
Providence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 34.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.6% | Fresno + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.6% | Providence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.7% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 27.4 min | Fresno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno leads in median household income at $66,804, while fresno offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $391,442. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fresno. 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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