Providence RI vs Sandy 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%
Sandy, UT
Utah · Population: 94,723
- Median HH Income$111,242
- Median Home Price$672,082
- Unemployment2.5%
- Bachelor's+45.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Providence
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
Sandy
10.3%
White
Providence
40.7%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Sandy
3.5%
Hispanic
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Sandy
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Providence
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | 94,723 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 36.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 32.8% | 10.3% | Providence + |
| White | 40.7% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 13.3% | 0.8% | Providence + |
| Asian | 5.9% | 3.5% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 44.3% | 11.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Providence
$66,772
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Providence
$36,694
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Providence
7.4%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Providence
20.1%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Providence
34.7%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,772 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,694 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $64,538 | $60,713 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.7% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Providence
$429,449
Providence +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Providence
41.2%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,449 | $672,082 | Providence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
174
Providence +
Sandy
245
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
1303
Providence +
Sandy
1931
| Metric | Providence, RI | Sandy, 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%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
11.5%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Providence
19.6%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Providence
14.6%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Providence
16.7%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Providence
12.1%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Providence
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Providence, RI | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Providence
27.4 min
Sandy
24.6 min
Sandy +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 24.6 min | Sandy + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, 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 Sandy. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, and Sandy has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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