Oklahoma City OK 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)
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
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
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
Providence
190,214
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oklahoma City
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Oklahoma City
35.0
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Oklahoma City
12.0%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Oklahoma City +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Oklahoma City +
Providence
13.3%
Asian
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Oklahoma City
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 688,693 | 190,214 | Oklahoma City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 12.0% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 58.4% | 40.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Black | 13.4% | 13.3% | Oklahoma City + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 21.7% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Per Capita Income
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Oklahoma City +
Providence
$36,694
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Unemployment Rate
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Oklahoma City +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Oklahoma City +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Oklahoma City
34.0%
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,702 | $66,772 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,109 | $36,694 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $64,538 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 7.4% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 20.1% | Oklahoma City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.0% | 34.7% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Oklahoma City +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Oklahoma City
59.1%
Oklahoma City +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $207,961 | $429,449 | Oklahoma City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 41.2% | Oklahoma City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
429
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
2375
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oklahoma City
17.8%
Oklahoma City +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Oklahoma City +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Oklahoma City +
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.9%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 34.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 19.6% | Oklahoma City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.6% | Oklahoma City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
N/A
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
Oklahoma City +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 27.4 min | Oklahoma City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while oklahoma City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $207,961. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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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