Providence RI vs San Antonio TX — 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%
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Providence
190,214
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Providence
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Providence
32.9
Providence +
San Antonio
34.6
Foreign Born
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
San Antonio
14.3%
White
Providence
40.7%
San Antonio
48.3%
San Antonio +
Black
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
San Antonio
7.0%
Asian
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
San Antonio
3.1%
Hispanic
Providence
44.3%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Providence
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 34.6 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 32.8% | 14.3% | Providence + |
| White | 40.7% | 48.3% | San Antonio + |
| Black | 13.3% | 7.0% | Providence + |
| Asian | 5.9% | 3.1% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 44.3% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
San Antonio
$62,917
Per Capita Income
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
San Antonio
$32,983
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
San Antonio
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Providence
7.4%
San Antonio
5.8%
San Antonio +
Poverty Rate
Providence
20.1%
San Antonio
17.1%
San Antonio +
Bachelor's Degree+
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
San Antonio
28.7%
| Metric | Providence, RI | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,772 | $62,917 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,694 | $32,983 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $64,538 | $63,758 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 5.8% | San Antonio + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 17.1% | San Antonio + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.7% | 28.7% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Providence
$429,449
San Antonio
$251,035
San Antonio +
Homeownership Rate
Providence
41.2%
San Antonio
52.4%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Providence, RI | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,449 | $251,035 | San Antonio + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 52.4% | San Antonio + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
174
Providence +
San Antonio
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
1303
Providence +
San Antonio
2339
| Metric | Providence, RI | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 174 | 442 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1303 | 2339 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
San Antonio
34.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
San Antonio
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Providence
19.6%
San Antonio
17.2%
San Antonio +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Providence
14.6%
Providence +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Providence
16.7%
San Antonio
16.0%
San Antonio +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
San Antonio
13.0%
| Metric | Providence, RI | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 34.9% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 15.2% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 17.2% | San Antonio + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 24.5% | Providence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.0% | San Antonio + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 13.0% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
San Antonio
34.9 in
| Metric | Providence, RI | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 68.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 34.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Providence
75.0%
Providence +
San Antonio
55.0%
| Metric | Providence, RI | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Providence + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Providence
27.4 min
San Antonio
26.5 min
San Antonio +
| Metric | Providence, RI | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 26.5 min | San Antonio + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while san Antonio offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,035. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Antonio. San Antonio has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Providence, RILos Angeles, CA vs Providence, RIChicago, IL vs Providence, RIHouston, TX vs Providence, RIPhoenix, AZ vs Providence, RIPhiladelphia, PA vs Providence, RI