Providence RI vs Saint Paul 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%
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Providence
190,214
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Providence
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Saint Paul
33.5
Foreign Born
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
Saint Paul
18.7%
White
Providence
40.7%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
Black
Providence
13.3%
Saint Paul
16.2%
Saint Paul +
Asian
Providence
5.9%
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Hispanic
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Saint Paul
9.1%
Spanish at Home
Providence
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | 307,762 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 33.5 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 32.8% | 18.7% | Providence + |
| White | 40.7% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Black | 13.3% | 16.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Asian | 5.9% | 17.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 44.3% | 9.1% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Providence
$66,772
Saint Paul
$73,055
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Income
Providence
$36,694
Saint Paul
$41,594
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Providence
$64,538
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
Unemployment Rate
Providence
7.4%
Saint Paul
4.9%
Saint Paul +
Poverty Rate
Providence
20.1%
Saint Paul
15.8%
Saint Paul +
Bachelor's Degree+
Providence
34.7%
Saint Paul
43.5%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,772 | $73,055 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,694 | $41,594 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $64,538 | $69,467 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 15.8% | Saint Paul + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.7% | 43.5% | Saint Paul + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Providence
$429,449
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Homeownership Rate
Providence
41.2%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,449 | $297,021 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
174
Providence +
Saint Paul
284
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
1303
Providence +
Saint Paul
1992
| Metric | Providence, RI | Saint Paul, 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%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
11.5%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Providence
19.6%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Providence
14.6%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Providence
16.7%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Providence
12.1%
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Saint Paul, MN | 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 +
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Providence
75.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Providence, RI | Saint Paul, 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
Saint Paul
24.1 min
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 24.1 min | Saint Paul + |
Which City is Right for You?
Saint Paul leads in median household income at $73,055, while saint Paul offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,021. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 284 in Saint Paul. Saint Paul has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³).
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