Providence RI vs Toledo OH — 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%
Toledo, OH
Ohio · Population: 268,461
- Median HH Income$47,532
- Median Home Price$130,101
- Unemployment8.5%
- Bachelor's+21.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Providence
190,214
Toledo
268,461
Toledo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Providence
N/A
Toledo
N/A
Median Age
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Toledo
35.7
Foreign Born
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
Toledo
3.4%
White
Providence
40.7%
Toledo
58.7%
Toledo +
Black
Providence
13.3%
Toledo
28.7%
Toledo +
Asian
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Toledo
1.4%
Hispanic
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Toledo
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Providence
N/A
Toledo
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | 268,461 | Toledo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 35.7 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 32.8% | 3.4% | Providence + |
| White | 40.7% | 58.7% | Toledo + |
| Black | 13.3% | 28.7% | Toledo + |
| Asian | 5.9% | 1.4% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 44.3% | 8.9% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Toledo
$47,532
Per Capita Income
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Toledo
$27,407
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Toledo
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Providence
7.4%
Providence +
Toledo
8.5%
Poverty Rate
Providence
20.1%
Providence +
Toledo
24.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
Toledo
21.0%
| Metric | Providence, RI | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,772 | $47,532 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,694 | $27,407 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $64,538 | $58,300 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 8.5% | Providence + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 24.5% | Providence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.7% | 21.0% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Providence
$429,449
Toledo
$130,101
Toledo +
Homeownership Rate
Providence
41.2%
Toledo
52.7%
Toledo +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,449 | $130,101 | Toledo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 52.7% | Toledo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
174
Providence +
Toledo
319
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
1303
Providence +
Toledo
1866
| Metric | Providence, RI | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 174 | 319 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1303 | 1866 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Toledo
39.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Toledo
15.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Providence
19.6%
Providence +
Toledo
20.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Providence
14.6%
Toledo
11.3%
Toledo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Providence
16.7%
Toledo
14.9%
Toledo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
Toledo
19.9%
| Metric | Providence, RI | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 39.3% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 15.7% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 20.6% | Providence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 11.3% | Toledo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.9% | Toledo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 19.9% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Toledo
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Toledo
33.4 in
| Metric | Providence, RI | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 33.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Toledo
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Providence
75.0%
Providence +
Toledo
55.0%
| Metric | Providence, RI | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Providence + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Providence
27.4 min
Toledo
21.3 min
Toledo +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 21.3 min | Toledo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while toledo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $130,101. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 319 in Toledo. Providence has a lower unemployment rate at 7.4%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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