Providence RI vs Santa Rosa 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 Rosa, CA
California · Population: 129,239
- Median HH Income$173,670
- Median Home Price$720,443
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+65.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Santa Rosa
129,239
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Providence
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Santa Rosa
34.5
Foreign Born
Providence
32.8%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Providence
40.7%
Providence +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Providence
5.9%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Spanish at Home
Providence
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | 129,239 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 34.5 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 32.8% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 40.7% | 31.9% | Providence + |
| Black | 13.3% | 2.1% | Providence + |
| Asian | 5.9% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 44.3% | 16.1% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Providence
$66,772
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Providence
$36,694
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Providence
$64,538
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Providence
7.4%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Providence
20.1%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Providence
34.7%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,772 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,694 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $64,538 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.7% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Providence
$429,449
Providence +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Providence
41.2%
Santa Rosa
41.2%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,449 | $720,443 | Providence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 41.2% | Santa Rosa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
174
Providence +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
1303
Providence +
Santa Rosa
2388
| Metric | Providence, RI | Santa Rosa, 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 Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
11.5%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Providence
19.6%
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Providence
14.6%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Providence
16.7%
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Santa Rosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Providence
12.1%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 16.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
| Metric | Providence, RI | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 59.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 32.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Providence
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Providence, RI | Santa Rosa, 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
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 25.2 min | Santa Rosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, 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 Rosa. Santa Rosa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Rosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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