Providence RI vs Sparks NV — 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%
Sparks, NV
Nevada · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$530,668
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Providence
190,214
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Providence
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Providence
32.9
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Providence
32.8%
Sparks
N/A
White
Providence
40.7%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Providence
13.3%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Providence
5.9%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Providence
44.3%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Providence
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 32.8% | N/A | - |
| White | 40.7% | N/A | - |
| Black | 13.3% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 5.9% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 44.3% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Providence
$66,772
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Providence
$36,694
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Sparks
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Providence
7.4%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Providence
20.1%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Providence
34.7%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,772 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $36,694 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $64,538 | $62,696 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.7% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Providence
$429,449
Providence +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
Providence
41.2%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,449 | $530,668 | Providence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
174
Providence +
Sparks
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
1303
Providence +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Providence, RI | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 174 | 460 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1303 | 2417 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
34.4%
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
11.5%
Sparks
9.8%
Sparks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Providence
19.6%
Sparks
18.1%
Sparks +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Providence
14.6%
Sparks
13.8%
Sparks +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Providence
16.7%
Providence +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
Sparks
12.9%
| Metric | Providence, RI | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 28.6% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 9.8% | Sparks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.1% | Sparks + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 13.8% | Sparks + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 18.7% | Providence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.9% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Sparks
52.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Sparks
8.3 in
| Metric | Providence, RI | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 8.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Providence
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Providence, RI | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Providence
27.4 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
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 460 in Sparks. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sparks scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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