Phoenix AZ 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)
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
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
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Providence
190,214
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Phoenix
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Phoenix
34.8
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Phoenix
19.0%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Phoenix
7.8%
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Asian
Phoenix
3.9%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Phoenix
41.8%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Phoenix
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,624,832 | 190,214 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 53.7% | 40.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 7.8% | 13.3% | Providence + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 41.8% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Providence
$66,772
Per Capita Income
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Providence
$36,694
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Phoenix
$59,120
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Unemployment Rate
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Phoenix
32.3%
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,041 | $66,772 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,309 | $36,694 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $64,538 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 7.4% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 20.1% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.3% | 34.7% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,323 | $429,449 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 41.2% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
450
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
2150
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Providence
34.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Providence
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
17.3%
Providence
14.6%
Providence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
12.2%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.3% | 34.4% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 11.5% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 19.6% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 14.6% | Providence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.7% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
72.1°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
10.8 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Phoenix
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Phoenix
27.7 min
Providence
27.4 min
Providence +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 27.4 min | Providence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, while phoenix offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,323. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Phoenix. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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