Providence RI vs St. Louis 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%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Providence
190,214
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Providence
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Providence
32.9
Providence +
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Providence
40.7%
St. Louis
45.7%
St. Louis +
Black
Providence
13.3%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
St. Louis
3.4%
Hispanic
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Providence
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 36.6 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 32.8% | 6.6% | Providence + |
| White | 40.7% | 45.7% | St. Louis + |
| Black | 13.3% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 5.9% | 3.4% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 44.3% | 5.1% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Providence
$36,694
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Providence
7.4%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Poverty Rate
Providence
20.1%
St. Louis
19.8%
St. Louis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Providence
34.7%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Providence, RI | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,772 | $55,279 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,694 | $38,947 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $64,538 | $58,527 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 19.8% | St. Louis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.7% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Providence
$429,449
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Providence
41.2%
St. Louis
45.4%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Providence, RI | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,449 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 45.4% | St. Louis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
174
Providence +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
1303
Providence +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Providence, RI | St. Louis, 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 +
St. Louis
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Providence
19.6%
St. Louis
18.8%
St. Louis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Providence
14.6%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Providence
16.7%
Providence +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Providence, RI | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 36.8% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 13.2% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.8% | St. Louis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.9% | Providence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 16.8% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Providence
75.0%
Providence +
St. Louis
55.0%
| Metric | Providence, RI | St. Louis, 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
St. Louis
24.0 min
St. Louis +
| Metric | Providence, RI | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 24.0 min | St. Louis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, 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%.
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