Providence RI vs Roswell GA — 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%
Roswell, GA
Georgia · Population: 92,577
- Median HH Income$124,422
- Median Home Price$662,209
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Roswell
92,577
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Providence
N/A
Roswell
N/A
Median Age
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Roswell
40.0
Foreign Born
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
Roswell
18.7%
White
Providence
40.7%
Roswell
65.0%
Roswell +
Black
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Roswell
11.1%
Asian
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Roswell
4.5%
Hispanic
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Roswell
16.8%
Spanish at Home
Providence
N/A
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | 92,577 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 40.0 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 32.8% | 18.7% | Providence + |
| White | 40.7% | 65.0% | Roswell + |
| Black | 13.3% | 11.1% | Providence + |
| Asian | 5.9% | 4.5% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 44.3% | 16.8% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Providence
$66,772
Roswell
$124,422
Roswell +
Per Capita Income
Providence
$36,694
Roswell
$65,454
Roswell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Roswell
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Providence
7.4%
Roswell
4.3%
Roswell +
Poverty Rate
Providence
20.1%
Roswell
7.4%
Roswell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Providence
34.7%
Roswell
64.8%
Roswell +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,772 | $124,422 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,694 | $65,454 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $64,538 | $57,405 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.3% | Roswell + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 7.4% | Roswell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.7% | 64.8% | Roswell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Providence
$429,449
Providence +
Roswell
$662,209
Homeownership Rate
Providence
41.2%
Roswell
71.2%
Roswell +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,449 | $662,209 | Providence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 71.2% | Roswell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
174
Providence +
Roswell
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
1303
Providence +
Roswell
1752
| Metric | Providence, RI | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 174 | 392 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1303 | 1752 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
34.4%
Roswell
24.6%
Roswell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
11.5%
Roswell
9.1%
Roswell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Providence
19.6%
Roswell
13.8%
Roswell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Providence
14.6%
Roswell
9.9%
Roswell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Providence
16.7%
Providence +
Roswell
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Providence
12.1%
Roswell
8.3%
Roswell +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 24.6% | Roswell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 9.1% | Roswell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 13.8% | Roswell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 9.9% | Roswell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.4% | Providence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 8.3% | Roswell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Roswell
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Roswell
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Providence
75.0%
Providence +
Roswell
55.0%
| Metric | Providence, RI | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Providence + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Providence
27.4 min
Providence +
Roswell
29.6 min
| Metric | Providence, RI | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 29.6 min | Providence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roswell leads in median household income at $124,422, 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 392 in Roswell. Roswell has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roswell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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