Providence RI vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Stamford
135,806
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Providence
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
Stamford
31.8%
White
Providence
40.7%
Stamford
49.1%
Stamford +
Black
Providence
13.3%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
Providence
5.9%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Stamford
28.1%
Spanish at Home
Providence
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | 135,806 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 38.2 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 32.8% | 31.8% | Providence + |
| White | 40.7% | 49.1% | Stamford + |
| Black | 13.3% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 5.9% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 44.3% | 28.1% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Providence
$66,772
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Providence
$36,694
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Providence
$64,538
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Providence
7.4%
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Poverty Rate
Providence
20.1%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Providence
34.7%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,772 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,694 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $64,538 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.9% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.7% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Providence
$429,449
Providence +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Providence
41.2%
Stamford
47.5%
Stamford +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,449 | $708,498 | Providence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 47.5% | Stamford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
174
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
1303
Providence +
Stamford
1524
| Metric | Providence, RI | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 174 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1303 | 1524 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
34.4%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
11.5%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Providence
19.6%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Providence
14.6%
Stamford
12.3%
Stamford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Providence
16.7%
Stamford
16.4%
Stamford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Providence
12.1%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.3% | Stamford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.4% | Stamford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Stamford
52.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Providence, RI | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Providence
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Providence, RI | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Providence
27.4 min
Providence +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Providence, RI | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 30.1 min | Providence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while providence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,449. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 174 in Providence. Stamford has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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