Providence RI vs Salinas CA — 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Salinas
161,993
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Providence
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Providence
32.9
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Providence
32.8%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Providence
40.7%
Providence +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Salinas
5.7%
Hispanic
Providence
44.3%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Providence
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | 161,993 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 32.8% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 40.7% | 21.8% | Providence + |
| Black | 13.3% | 1.4% | Providence + |
| Asian | 5.9% | 5.7% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 44.3% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Providence
$66,772
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Providence
$64,538
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Providence
7.4%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Providence
20.1%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Providence, RI | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,772 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,694 | $28,813 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $64,538 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.7% | 15.5% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Providence
$429,449
Providence +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Providence
41.2%
Salinas
47.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,449 | $751,711 | Providence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 47.0% | Salinas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
174
Providence +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
1303
Providence +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Providence, RI | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 174 | 503 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1303 | 2388 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
34.4%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Providence
19.6%
Salinas
18.2%
Salinas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Providence
14.6%
Providence +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Providence
16.7%
Providence +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
Salinas
12.9%
| Metric | Providence, RI | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 12.4% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.2% | Salinas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 22.4% | Providence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.8% | Providence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.9% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Salinas
15.5 in
| Metric | Providence, RI | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 15.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Providence
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Providence, RI | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Providence
27.4 min
Providence +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Providence, RI | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 28.8 min | Providence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, 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 503 in Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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