Providence RI vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Providence
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Providence
40.7%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Rochester
5.2%
Hispanic
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Providence
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | 26,509 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 38.7 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 32.8% | 7.1% | Providence + |
| White | 40.7% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 13.3% | 3.6% | Providence + |
| Asian | 5.9% | 5.2% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 44.3% | 3.9% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Providence
$66,772
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Providence
$36,694
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Providence
$64,538
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Providence
7.4%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Providence
20.1%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Providence
34.7%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,772 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,694 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $64,538 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.7% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Providence
$429,449
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Providence
41.2%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,449 | $344,633 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
174
Providence +
Rochester
284
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
1303
Providence +
Rochester
1992
| Metric | Providence, RI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 174 | 284 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1303 | 1992 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
11.5%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Providence
19.6%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Providence
14.6%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Providence
16.7%
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Providence
12.1%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 36.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.0% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Rochester
34.0 in
| Metric | Providence, RI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 34.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Providence
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Providence, RI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Providence
27.4 min
Providence +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Providence, RI | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 28.3 min | Providence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $344,633. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 284 in Rochester. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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