New Haven CT 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)
New Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
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
New Haven
132,893
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Haven
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Providence
32.9
Foreign Born
New Haven
17.7%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
New Haven
36.8%
Providence
40.7%
Providence +
Black
New Haven
30.6%
New Haven +
Providence
13.3%
Asian
New Haven
5.2%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
New Haven
31.2%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
New Haven
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,893 | 190,214 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 32.9 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 17.7% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 36.8% | 40.7% | Providence + |
| Black | 30.6% | 13.3% | New Haven + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 31.2% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Haven
$53,771
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Per Capita Income
New Haven
$34,482
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Providence
$64,538
Unemployment Rate
New Haven
7.7%
Providence
7.4%
Providence +
Poverty Rate
New Haven
25.0%
Providence
20.1%
Providence +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Haven
37.7%
New Haven +
Providence
34.7%
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,771 | $66,772 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,482 | $36,694 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $64,538 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 7.4% | Providence + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 20.1% | Providence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 34.7% | New Haven + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Haven
$330,564
New Haven +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
New Haven
28.4%
Providence
41.2%
Providence +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $330,564 | $429,449 | New Haven + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.4% | 41.2% | Providence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Providence
174
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
1524
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 174 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
37.9%
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
11.7%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Haven
18.9%
New Haven +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.7%
Providence
14.6%
Providence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Haven
13.2%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 34.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 19.6% | New Haven + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 14.6% | Providence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.7% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
52.2°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
47.1 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Haven
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Haven
23.0 min
New Haven +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 27.4 min | New Haven + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while new Haven offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $330,564. On public safety, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 174 in Providence. 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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