Norwalk 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)
Norwalk, CA
California · Population: 100,713
- Median HH Income$98,709
- Median Home Price$765,319
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Norwalk
100,713
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norwalk
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Norwalk
36.5
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Norwalk
32.6%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Norwalk
24.0%
Providence
40.7%
Providence +
Black
Norwalk
4.2%
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Asian
Norwalk
13.8%
Norwalk +
Providence
5.9%
Hispanic
Norwalk
69.5%
Norwalk +
Providence
44.3%
Spanish at Home
Norwalk
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,713 | 190,214 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 32.6% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 24.0% | 40.7% | Providence + |
| Black | 4.2% | 13.3% | Providence + |
| Asian | 13.8% | 5.9% | Norwalk + |
| Hispanic | 69.5% | 44.3% | Norwalk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norwalk
$98,709
Norwalk +
Providence
$66,772
Per Capita Income
Norwalk
$31,989
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norwalk
$77,230
Norwalk +
Providence
$64,538
Unemployment Rate
Norwalk
5.6%
Norwalk +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Norwalk
9.7%
Norwalk +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norwalk
21.3%
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,709 | $66,772 | Norwalk + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,989 | $36,694 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $64,538 | Norwalk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 7.4% | Norwalk + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 20.1% | Norwalk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 34.7% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norwalk
$765,319
Providence
$429,449
Providence +
Homeownership Rate
Norwalk
68.1%
Norwalk +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,319 | $429,449 | Providence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.1% | 41.2% | Norwalk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norwalk
503
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norwalk
2388
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Norwalk, 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
Norwalk
26.9%
Norwalk +
Providence
34.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
12.7%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norwalk
16.1%
Norwalk +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
15.4%
Providence
14.6%
Providence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
15.3%
Norwalk +
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
10.5%
Norwalk +
Providence
12.1%
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.9% | 34.4% | Norwalk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 19.6% | Norwalk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 14.6% | Providence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.7% | Norwalk + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.1% | Norwalk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norwalk
N/A
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norwalk
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norwalk
7.9 µg/m³
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norwalk
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norwalk, 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
Norwalk
32.1 min
Providence
27.4 min
Providence +
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.1 min | 27.4 min | Providence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norwalk leads in median household income at $98,709, 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 Norwalk. Norwalk has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norwalk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.9%.
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