Gainesville 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Providence
32.9
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Providence
13.3%
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Providence
5.9%
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 190,214 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 32.9 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 59.2% | 40.7% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 21.6% | 13.3% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 5.9% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Providence
$64,538
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Providence
20.1%
Providence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Providence
34.7%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $66,772 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $36,694 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $64,538 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 7.4% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 20.1% | Providence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 34.7% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Providence
41.2%
Providence +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $429,449 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 41.2% | Providence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Gainesville, 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
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Providence
34.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Providence
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Providence
19.6%
Providence +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Gainesville +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Providence
16.7%
Providence +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
Providence
12.1%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 34.4% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 11.5% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 19.6% | Providence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.6% | Gainesville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 16.7% | Providence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.1% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, 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
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 27.4 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Gainesville. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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