Houston TX 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Providence
190,214
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Houston
35.5%
Providence
40.7%
Providence +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Providence
13.3%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Providence
5.9%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 190,214 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 35.5% | 40.7% | Providence + |
| Black | 22.9% | 13.3% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 5.9% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Providence
$36,694
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Houston +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Houston +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Providence
34.7%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $66,772 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $36,694 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $64,538 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 7.4% | Houston + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 20.1% | Houston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 34.7% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Houston +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $429,449 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 41.2% | Houston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Providence
14.6%
Providence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Providence
16.7%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 34.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 19.6% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 14.6% | Providence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.7% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Providence
75.0%
Providence +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Providence + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Providence
27.4 min
Providence +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 27.4 min | Providence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. Houston has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, 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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