Providence RI vs San Diego 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%
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Providence
190,214
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Providence
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Providence
32.9
Providence +
San Diego
36.0
Foreign Born
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
San Diego
24.8%
White
Providence
40.7%
San Diego
50.4%
San Diego +
Black
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
San Diego
5.7%
Asian
Providence
5.9%
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Hispanic
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
San Diego
29.6%
Spanish at Home
Providence
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 36.0 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 32.8% | 24.8% | Providence + |
| White | 40.7% | 50.4% | San Diego + |
| Black | 13.3% | 5.7% | Providence + |
| Asian | 5.9% | 17.6% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 44.3% | 29.6% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Providence
$66,772
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Per Capita Income
Providence
$36,694
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Providence
$64,538
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Unemployment Rate
Providence
7.4%
San Diego
5.9%
San Diego +
Poverty Rate
Providence
20.1%
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Bachelor's Degree+
Providence
34.7%
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
| Metric | Providence, RI | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,772 | $104,321 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,694 | $54,678 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $64,538 | $77,230 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 5.9% | San Diego + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 11.1% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.7% | 49.9% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Providence
$429,449
Providence +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
Providence
41.2%
San Diego
47.6%
San Diego +
| Metric | Providence, RI | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,449 | $1,006,261 | Providence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 47.6% | San Diego + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
174
Providence +
San Diego
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
1303
Providence +
San Diego
2388
| Metric | Providence, RI | San Diego, 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%
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
11.5%
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Providence
19.6%
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Providence
14.6%
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Providence
16.7%
Providence +
San Diego
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Providence
12.1%
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
| Metric | Providence, RI | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 24.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 9.2% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 16.5% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 8.5% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.9% | Providence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.3% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
San Diego
61.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
San Diego
12.3 in
| Metric | Providence, RI | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Providence
75.0%
San Diego
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Providence, RI | San Diego, 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
San Diego
25.9 min
San Diego +
| Metric | Providence, RI | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 25.9 min | San Diego + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, 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 San Diego. San Diego has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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