Portland OR 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)
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
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
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Providence
190,214
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Portland
38.6
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Portland
12.4%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Portland
5.8%
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Asian
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Providence
5.9%
Hispanic
Portland
11.3%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 190,214 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 70.1% | 40.7% | Portland + |
| Black | 5.8% | 13.3% | Providence + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 5.9% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Providence
$66,772
Per Capita Income
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Providence
$36,694
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$63,691
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Unemployment Rate
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
Providence
34.7%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,792 | $66,772 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $55,312 | $36,694 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $64,538 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 7.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 20.1% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.5% | 34.7% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$538,687
Providence
$429,449
Providence +
Homeownership Rate
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $538,687 | $429,449 | Providence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.8% | 41.2% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
355
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
3001
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Providence
34.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Providence
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
17.7%
Providence
16.7%
Providence +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
Providence
12.1%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 34.4% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 11.5% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 19.6% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 14.6% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.7% | Providence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
51.6°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
78.3 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 78.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
55.0%
Providence
75.0%
Providence +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Providence + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Portland, OR | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 27.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, 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 355 in Portland. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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