Providence RI vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Providence
190,214
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Providence
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Salt Lake City
33.0
Foreign Born
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
Salt Lake City
15.4%
White
Providence
40.7%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Hispanic
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Spanish at Home
Providence
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | 203,888 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 33.0 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 32.8% | 15.4% | Providence + |
| White | 40.7% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 13.3% | 2.7% | Providence + |
| Asian | 5.9% | 5.3% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 44.3% | 20.8% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Providence
$66,772
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
Providence
$36,694
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Providence
7.4%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Providence
20.1%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Providence
34.7%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,772 | $74,925 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,694 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $64,538 | $60,713 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.7% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Providence
$429,449
Providence +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Providence
41.2%
Salt Lake City
46.8%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,449 | $580,126 | Providence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 46.8% | Salt Lake City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
174
Providence +
Salt Lake City
245
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
1303
Providence +
Salt Lake City
1931
| Metric | Providence, RI | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 174 | 245 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1303 | 1931 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
34.4%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
11.5%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Providence
19.6%
Salt Lake City
18.2%
Salt Lake City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Providence
14.6%
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Salt Lake City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Providence
16.7%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Providence
12.1%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.2% | Salt Lake City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.0% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
| Metric | Providence, RI | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 16.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Providence
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Providence, RI | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Providence
27.4 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salt Lake City leads in median household income at $74,925, 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 245 in Salt Lake City. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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