Modesto 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)
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
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
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Providence
190,214
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Modesto
50.8%
Modesto +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Modesto
4.7%
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Providence
5.9%
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 190,214 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 50.8% | 40.7% | Modesto + |
| Black | 4.7% | 13.3% | Providence + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 5.9% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Providence
$66,772
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Providence
$64,538
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
Modesto +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $66,772 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $36,694 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $64,538 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 7.4% | Modesto + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 20.1% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 34.7% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
Providence
$429,449
Providence +
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $429,449 | Providence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 41.2% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Modesto, 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
Modesto
36.2%
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
Modesto +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
Modesto +
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 34.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 19.6% | Modesto + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.6% | Modesto + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.7% | Modesto + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Modesto, 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
Modesto
30.5 min
Providence
27.4 min
Providence +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 27.4 min | Providence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, 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 Modesto. Modesto has a lower unemployment rate at 7.3%, 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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