Providence RI vs Tallahassee FL — 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Providence
190,214
Tallahassee
199,696
Tallahassee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Providence
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Providence
32.9
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
Tallahassee
8.0%
White
Providence
40.7%
Tallahassee
50.7%
Tallahassee +
Black
Providence
13.3%
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Asian
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Tallahassee
4.0%
Hispanic
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Tallahassee
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Providence
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | 199,696 | Tallahassee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 32.8% | 8.0% | Providence + |
| White | 40.7% | 50.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Black | 13.3% | 35.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 5.9% | 4.0% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 44.3% | 8.6% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Tallahassee
$55,931
Per Capita Income
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Tallahassee
$35,704
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Providence
$64,538
Tallahassee
$65,328
Tallahassee +
Unemployment Rate
Providence
7.4%
Tallahassee
6.5%
Tallahassee +
Poverty Rate
Providence
20.1%
Providence +
Tallahassee
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Providence
34.7%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,772 | $55,931 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,694 | $35,704 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $64,538 | $65,328 | Tallahassee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 6.5% | Tallahassee + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 23.2% | Providence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.7% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Providence
$429,449
Tallahassee
$293,664
Tallahassee +
Homeownership Rate
Providence
41.2%
Providence +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Providence, RI | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,449 | $293,664 | Tallahassee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 39.5% | Providence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
174
Providence +
Tallahassee
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
1303
Providence +
Tallahassee
1453
| Metric | Providence, RI | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 174 | 324 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1303 | 1453 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
34.4%
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tallahassee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
11.5%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Providence
19.6%
Providence +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Providence
14.6%
Tallahassee
13.2%
Tallahassee +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Providence
16.7%
Tallahassee
16.7%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
Tallahassee
12.2%
| Metric | Providence, RI | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 34.1% | Tallahassee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 20.3% | Providence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 13.2% | Tallahassee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.7% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.2% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Providence, RI | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 67.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Providence
75.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Providence, RI | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Providence
27.4 min
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while tallahassee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,664. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Tallahassee. Tallahassee has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tallahassee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.1%.
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