Indianapolis IN 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)
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
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
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Providence
190,214
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Providence
13.3%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 190,214 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 53.6% | 40.7% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 28.1% | 13.3% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $66,772 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $36,694 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $64,538 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 7.4% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 20.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 34.7% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $429,449 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 41.2% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Providence
34.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Providence
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Providence
12.1%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 34.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Providence
75.0%
Providence +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Providence + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Indianapolis +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 27.4 min | Indianapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Indianapolis. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³).
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