Providence RI vs Santa Ana 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Providence
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
Santa Ana
23.2%
White
Providence
40.7%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Providence
5.9%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Santa Ana
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Providence
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | 91,535 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 42.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 32.8% | 23.2% | Providence + |
| White | 40.7% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 13.3% | 4.9% | Providence + |
| Asian | 5.9% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 44.3% | 16.4% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Providence
$66,772
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Providence
$36,694
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Providence
$64,538
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Providence
7.4%
Santa Ana
6.1%
Santa Ana +
Poverty Rate
Providence
20.1%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Providence
34.7%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,772 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,694 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $64,538 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 6.1% | Santa Ana + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.7% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Providence
$429,449
Providence +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Providence
41.2%
Providence +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Providence, RI | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,449 | $865,610 | Providence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 28.8% | Providence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
174
Providence +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
1303
Providence +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Providence, RI | Santa Ana, 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%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Providence
19.6%
Santa Ana
18.7%
Santa Ana +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Providence
14.6%
Providence +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Providence
16.7%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Providence
12.1%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 13.0% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.7% | Santa Ana + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 20.7% | Providence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Santa Ana
13.6 in
| Metric | Providence, RI | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 13.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Providence
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Providence, RI | Santa Ana, 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 +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | Providence, RI | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 28.0 min | Providence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, 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 Santa Ana. Santa Ana has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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