Providence RI vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Providence
190,214
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Providence
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Reno
37.3
Foreign Born
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
Reno
16.1%
White
Providence
40.7%
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Black
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Providence
5.9%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Reno
24.6%
Spanish at Home
Providence
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | 268,959 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 37.3 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 32.8% | 16.1% | Providence + |
| White | 40.7% | 63.5% | Reno + |
| Black | 13.3% | 3.2% | Providence + |
| Asian | 5.9% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 44.3% | 24.6% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Providence
$66,772
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Per Capita Income
Providence
$36,694
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Reno
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Providence
7.4%
Reno
5.0%
Reno +
Poverty Rate
Providence
20.1%
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Bachelor's Degree+
Providence
34.7%
Reno
35.7%
Reno +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,772 | $78,448 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,694 | $45,180 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $64,538 | $62,696 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 5.0% | Reno + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 12.5% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.7% | 35.7% | Reno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Providence
$429,449
Providence +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Providence
41.2%
Reno
49.4%
Reno +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,449 | $570,934 | Providence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 49.4% | Reno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
174
Providence +
Reno
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
1303
Providence +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Providence, RI | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 174 | 460 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1303 | 2417 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
34.4%
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
11.5%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Providence
19.6%
Reno
18.5%
Reno +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Providence
14.6%
Reno
13.0%
Reno +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Providence
16.7%
Providence +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
Reno
12.8%
| Metric | Providence, RI | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 28.4% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 9.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.5% | Reno + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 13.0% | Reno + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 18.9% | Providence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.8% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Reno
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Reno
8.3 in
| Metric | Providence, RI | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 8.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Providence
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Providence, RI | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Providence
27.4 min
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 22.3 min | Reno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, 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 460 in Reno. Reno has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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