Providence RI vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Surprise
149,519
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Providence
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Providence
40.7%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Surprise
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Providence
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | 149,519 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 41.6 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 32.8% | 6.8% | Providence + |
| White | 40.7% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 13.3% | 4.8% | Providence + |
| Asian | 5.9% | 2.6% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 44.3% | 19.2% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Providence
$66,772
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Providence
$36,694
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Providence
7.4%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Providence
20.1%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Providence, RI | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,772 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,694 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $64,538 | $59,120 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.7% | 31.0% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Providence
$429,449
Surprise
$422,520
Surprise +
Homeownership Rate
Providence
41.2%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,449 | $422,520 | Surprise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
174
Providence +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
1303
Providence +
Surprise
2150
| Metric | Providence, RI | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 174 | 450 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1303 | 2150 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
34.4%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
11.5%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Providence
19.6%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Providence
14.6%
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Providence
16.7%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Providence
12.1%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 10.5% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Providence
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Providence, RI | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Providence
27.4 min
Providence +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Providence, RI | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 32.8 min | Providence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while surprise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $422,520. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Surprise. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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