Providence RI vs Tempe 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Providence
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Providence
32.9
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
Tempe
13.9%
White
Providence
40.7%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Providence
5.9%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Tempe
23.1%
Spanish at Home
Providence
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | 186,419 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 32.8% | 13.9% | Providence + |
| White | 40.7% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 13.3% | 7.8% | Providence + |
| Asian | 5.9% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 44.3% | 23.1% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Providence
$66,772
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Providence
$36,694
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Providence
7.4%
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Poverty Rate
Providence
20.1%
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Bachelor's Degree+
Providence
34.7%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,772 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,694 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $64,538 | $59,120 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 5.7% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 16.2% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.7% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Providence
$429,449
Providence +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Providence
41.2%
Tempe
41.6%
Tempe +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,449 | $468,328 | Providence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 41.6% | Tempe + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
174
Providence +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
1303
Providence +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Providence, RI | Tempe, 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%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
11.5%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Providence
19.6%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Providence
14.6%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Providence
16.7%
Providence +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Providence
12.1%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 18.3% | Providence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Tempe
9.3 in
| Metric | Providence, RI | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 9.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Providence
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Providence, RI | Tempe, 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
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, while providence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,449. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tempe. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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