Irvine 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)
Irvine, CA
California · Population: 308,160
- Median HH Income$129,647
- Median Home Price$1,566,872
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+70.6%
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
Irvine
308,160
Irvine +
Providence
190,214
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irvine
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Irvine
33.9
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
Providence
32.8%
White
Irvine
38.7%
Providence
40.7%
Providence +
Black
Irvine
2.0%
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Asian
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Providence
5.9%
Hispanic
Irvine
11.3%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Irvine
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 308,160 | 190,214 | Irvine + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 39.3% | 32.8% | Irvine + |
| White | 38.7% | 40.7% | Providence + |
| Black | 2.0% | 13.3% | Providence + |
| Asian | 44.1% | 5.9% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Providence
$66,772
Per Capita Income
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Providence
$36,694
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Providence
$64,538
Unemployment Rate
Irvine
5.5%
Irvine +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Irvine
11.7%
Irvine +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
Providence
34.7%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,647 | $66,772 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,149 | $36,694 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $64,538 | Irvine + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 7.4% | Irvine + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 20.1% | Irvine + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.6% | 34.7% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irvine
$1,566,872
Providence
$429,449
Providence +
Homeownership Rate
Irvine
43.8%
Irvine +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,566,872 | $429,449 | Providence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.8% | 41.2% | Irvine + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
503
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
2388
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Irvine, 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
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Providence
34.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Providence
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irvine
15.2%
Irvine +
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
Providence
12.1%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 34.4% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 11.5% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 19.6% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.0% | 14.6% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.7% | Irvine + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 12.1% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
65.3°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
14.3 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irvine
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Irvine, 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
Irvine
26.0 min
Irvine +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 27.4 min | Irvine + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, 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 503 in Irvine. Irvine has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irvine scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.2%.
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