Providence RI vs Tampa 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Providence
190,214
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Providence
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Tampa
35.6
Foreign Born
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
Tampa
19.0%
White
Providence
40.7%
Tampa
51.8%
Tampa +
Black
Providence
13.3%
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Asian
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Tampa
4.8%
Hispanic
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Tampa
26.2%
Spanish at Home
Providence
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 35.6 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 32.8% | 19.0% | Providence + |
| White | 40.7% | 51.8% | Tampa + |
| Black | 13.3% | 21.3% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 5.9% | 4.8% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 44.3% | 26.2% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Providence
$66,772
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Per Capita Income
Providence
$36,694
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Providence
$64,538
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Unemployment Rate
Providence
7.4%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Providence
20.1%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Providence
34.7%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,772 | $71,302 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,694 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $64,538 | $65,328 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.7% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Providence
$429,449
Tampa
$376,530
Tampa +
Homeownership Rate
Providence
41.2%
Tampa
50.2%
Tampa +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,449 | $376,530 | Tampa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 50.2% | Tampa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
174
Providence +
Tampa
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
1303
Providence +
Tampa
1453
| Metric | Providence, RI | Tampa, 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%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Tampa
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Providence
19.6%
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Providence
14.6%
Providence +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Providence
16.7%
Tampa
16.7%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
Tampa
12.6%
| Metric | Providence, RI | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 12.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 17.4% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 15.9% | Providence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.7% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.6% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Providence, RI | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 73.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Providence
75.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Providence, RI | Tampa, 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
Tampa
26.8 min
Tampa +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 26.8 min | Tampa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, while tampa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $376,530. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Tampa. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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