Providence RI vs San Francisco 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 Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Providence
190,214
San Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Providence
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
Median Age
Providence
32.9
Providence +
San Francisco
39.7
Foreign Born
Providence
32.8%
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
White
Providence
40.7%
Providence +
San Francisco
40.5%
Black
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
San Francisco
5.1%
Asian
Providence
5.9%
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Hispanic
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
San Francisco
15.9%
Spanish at Home
Providence
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | 836,321 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 39.7 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 32.8% | 34.2% | San Francisco + |
| White | 40.7% | 40.5% | Providence + |
| Black | 13.3% | 5.1% | Providence + |
| Asian | 5.9% | 35.0% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 44.3% | 15.9% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Providence
$66,772
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Per Capita Income
Providence
$36,694
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Providence
$64,538
San Francisco
$77,230
San Francisco +
Unemployment Rate
Providence
7.4%
San Francisco
5.6%
San Francisco +
Poverty Rate
Providence
20.1%
San Francisco
10.6%
San Francisco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Providence
34.7%
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Providence, RI | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,772 | $141,446 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,694 | $90,285 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $64,538 | $77,230 | San Francisco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 5.6% | San Francisco + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 10.6% | San Francisco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.7% | 60.1% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Providence
$429,449
Providence +
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Homeownership Rate
Providence
41.2%
Providence +
San Francisco
38.5%
| Metric | Providence, RI | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,449 | $1,369,171 | Providence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 38.5% | Providence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
174
Providence +
San Francisco
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
1303
Providence +
San Francisco
2388
| Metric | Providence, RI | San Francisco, 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 Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
11.5%
San Francisco
9.7%
San Francisco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Providence
19.6%
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Providence
14.6%
San Francisco
6.6%
San Francisco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Providence
16.7%
Providence +
San Francisco
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Providence
12.1%
San Francisco
9.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Providence, RI | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 17.5% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 9.7% | San Francisco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 14.5% | San Francisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 6.6% | San Francisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 19.6% | Providence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.1% | San Francisco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
San Francisco
55.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
San Francisco
20.7 in
| Metric | Providence, RI | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 20.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Providence
75.0%
San Francisco
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Providence, RI | San Francisco, 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 +
San Francisco
33.9 min
| Metric | Providence, RI | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 33.9 min | Providence + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, 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 Francisco. San Francisco has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
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