Providence RI vs Springfield MO — 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%
Springfield, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Springfield
169,432
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Providence
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Springfield
33.6
Foreign Born
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
Springfield
3.8%
White
Providence
40.7%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Springfield
4.3%
Asian
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Springfield
1.7%
Hispanic
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Springfield
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Providence
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | 169,432 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 33.6 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 32.8% | 3.8% | Providence + |
| White | 40.7% | 85.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 13.3% | 4.3% | Providence + |
| Asian | 5.9% | 1.7% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 44.3% | 5.6% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Springfield
$45,984
Per Capita Income
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Springfield
$30,864
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Springfield
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Providence
7.4%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Providence
20.1%
Springfield
19.4%
Springfield +
Bachelor's Degree+
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
Springfield
30.3%
| Metric | Providence, RI | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,772 | $45,984 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,694 | $30,864 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $64,538 | $58,527 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.3% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 19.4% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.7% | 30.3% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Providence
$429,449
Springfield
$245,279
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Providence
41.2%
Springfield
42.9%
Springfield +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,449 | $245,279 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 42.9% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
174
Providence +
Springfield
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
1303
Providence +
Springfield
2418
| Metric | Providence, RI | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 174 | 501 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1303 | 2418 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Springfield
37.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
11.5%
Springfield
11.1%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Providence
19.6%
Providence +
Springfield
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Providence
14.6%
Springfield
10.0%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Providence
16.7%
Springfield
15.6%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
Springfield
17.1%
| Metric | Providence, RI | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 37.7% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 11.1% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 20.0% | Providence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 10.0% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.6% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 17.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Springfield
56.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Springfield
45.6 in
| Metric | Providence, RI | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 56.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 45.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Providence
75.0%
Providence +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | Providence, RI | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Providence + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Providence
27.4 min
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 19.5 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,279. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Providence, RILos Angeles, CA vs Providence, RIChicago, IL vs Providence, RIHouston, TX vs Providence, RIPhoenix, AZ vs Providence, RIPhiladelphia, PA vs Providence, RI