Providence RI vs Provo UT — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Provo
114,303
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Providence
N/A
Provo
N/A
Median Age
Providence
32.9
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Foreign Born
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
Provo
12.2%
White
Providence
40.7%
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Black
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Provo
1.1%
Asian
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Provo
2.2%
Hispanic
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Provo
18.9%
Spanish at Home
Providence
N/A
Provo
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | 114,303 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 23.7 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 32.8% | 12.2% | Providence + |
| White | 40.7% | 78.6% | Provo + |
| Black | 13.3% | 1.1% | Providence + |
| Asian | 5.9% | 2.2% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 44.3% | 18.9% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Provo
$62,800
Per Capita Income
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Provo
$26,755
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Provo
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Providence
7.4%
Provo
4.7%
Provo +
Poverty Rate
Providence
20.1%
Providence +
Provo
22.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Providence
34.7%
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,772 | $62,800 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,694 | $26,755 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $64,538 | $60,713 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.7% | Provo + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 22.3% | Providence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.7% | 45.0% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Providence
$429,449
Providence +
Provo
$486,127
Homeownership Rate
Providence
41.2%
Providence +
Provo
39.9%
| Metric | Providence, RI | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,449 | $486,127 | Providence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 39.9% | Providence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
174
Providence +
Provo
245
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
1303
Providence +
Provo
1931
| Metric | Providence, RI | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 174 | 245 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1303 | 1931 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
34.4%
Provo
30.7%
Provo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
11.5%
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Providence
19.6%
Providence +
Provo
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Providence
14.6%
Provo
12.6%
Provo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Providence
16.7%
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Providence
12.1%
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 30.7% | Provo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 6.1% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 21.5% | Providence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.6% | Provo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 8.7% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 7.0% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Provo
53.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Provo
19.8 in
| Metric | Providence, RI | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 19.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Providence
75.0%
Provo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Providence, RI | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Providence
27.4 min
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 20.1 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, 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 245 in Provo. Provo has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Provo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Providence, RILos Angeles, CA vs Providence, RIChicago, IL vs Providence, RIHouston, TX vs Providence, RIPhoenix, AZ vs Providence, RIPhiladelphia, PA vs Providence, RI