Memphis TN 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)
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
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
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Providence
190,214
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Memphis
25.0%
Providence
40.7%
Providence +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Providence
13.3%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 190,214 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 25.0% | 40.7% | Providence + |
| Black | 62.9% | 13.3% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Providence
7.4%
Providence +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Providence
20.1%
Providence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $66,772 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $36,694 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $64,538 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 7.4% | Providence + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 20.1% | Providence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 34.7% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Memphis +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $429,449 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 41.2% | Memphis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Providence
19.6%
Providence +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Providence
14.6%
Providence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 34.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 19.6% | Providence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.6% | Providence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.7% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 27.4 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. 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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