Providence RI vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Providence
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Renton
35.0
Foreign Born
Providence
32.8%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Providence
40.7%
Renton
48.7%
Renton +
Black
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Providence
5.9%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Providence
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | 75,721 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 35.0 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 32.8% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 40.7% | 48.7% | Renton + |
| Black | 13.3% | 2.2% | Providence + |
| Asian | 5.9% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 44.3% | 6.8% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Providence
$66,772
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Providence
$36,694
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Providence
$64,538
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Unemployment Rate
Providence
7.4%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
Providence
20.1%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Providence
34.7%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,772 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,694 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $64,538 | $76,120 | Renton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.1% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.7% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Providence
$429,449
Providence +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Providence
41.2%
Renton
45.2%
Renton +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,449 | $765,686 | Providence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 45.2% | Renton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
174
Providence +
Renton
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
1303
Providence +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Providence, RI | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 174 | 383 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1303 | 3409 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
34.4%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
11.5%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Providence
19.6%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Providence
14.6%
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Providence
16.7%
Renton
16.1%
Renton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Providence
12.1%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 24.0% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 8.5% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 16.0% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 9.1% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.1% | Renton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Renton
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Renton
40.1 in
| Metric | Providence, RI | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 40.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Providence
75.0%
Renton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Providence, RI | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Providence
27.4 min
Renton
25.4 min
Renton +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 25.4 min | Renton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, 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 383 in Renton. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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