Providence RI vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Providence
190,214
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Providence
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Seattle
35.5
Foreign Born
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
Seattle
19.9%
White
Providence
40.7%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Providence
5.9%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Providence
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 35.5 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 32.8% | 19.9% | Providence + |
| White | 40.7% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 13.3% | 6.6% | Providence + |
| Asian | 5.9% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 44.3% | 8.2% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Providence
$66,772
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Providence
$36,694
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Providence
$64,538
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Providence
7.4%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Providence
20.1%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Providence
34.7%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,772 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,694 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $64,538 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.7% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Providence
$429,449
Providence +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Providence
41.2%
Seattle
44.3%
Seattle +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,449 | $871,599 | Providence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 44.3% | Seattle + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
174
Providence +
Seattle
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
1303
Providence +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Providence, RI | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 174 | 383 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1303 | 3409 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
34.4%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
11.5%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Providence
19.6%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Providence
14.6%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Providence
16.7%
Providence +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Providence
12.1%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 19.0% | Providence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Providence, RI | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Providence
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Providence, RI | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Providence
27.4 min
Providence +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Providence, RI | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 28.8 min | Providence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, 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 383 in Seattle. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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