Providence RI vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Providence
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
Salem
12.2%
White
Providence
40.7%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Salem
23.4%
Spanish at Home
Providence
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | 176,666 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 35.7 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 32.8% | 12.2% | Providence + |
| White | 40.7% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 13.3% | 1.6% | Providence + |
| Asian | 5.9% | 3.5% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 44.3% | 23.4% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Providence
$66,772
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Providence
7.4%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Providence
20.1%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Providence, RI | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,772 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,694 | $36,477 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $64,538 | $63,691 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.7% | 31.4% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Providence
$429,449
Providence +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Providence
41.2%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,449 | $438,754 | Providence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
174
Providence +
Salem
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
1303
Providence +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Providence, RI | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 174 | 355 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1303 | 3001 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Providence
19.6%
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Providence
14.6%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Providence
16.7%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
Salem
12.4%
| Metric | Providence, RI | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 41.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 11.7% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.8% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.4% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Providence, RI | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Providence
75.0%
Providence +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Providence, RI | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Providence + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Providence
27.4 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, 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 355 in Salem. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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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