Providence RI vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Providence
190,214
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Providence
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Tucson
34.6
Foreign Born
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
Tucson
13.7%
White
Providence
40.7%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Tucson
42.7%
Spanish at Home
Providence
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 34.6 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 32.8% | 13.7% | Providence + |
| White | 40.7% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 13.3% | 5.0% | Providence + |
| Asian | 5.9% | 3.1% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 44.3% | 42.7% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Providence
7.4%
Tucson
6.4%
Tucson +
Poverty Rate
Providence
20.1%
Tucson
18.8%
Tucson +
Bachelor's Degree+
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Providence, RI | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,772 | $54,546 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,694 | $31,152 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $64,538 | $59,120 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 6.4% | Tucson + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 18.8% | Tucson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.7% | 30.2% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Providence
$429,449
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Providence
41.2%
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,449 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 51.7% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
174
Providence +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
1303
Providence +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | Providence, RI | Tucson, 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%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
11.5%
Tucson
11.5%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Providence
19.6%
Tucson
18.3%
Tucson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Providence
14.6%
Providence +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Providence
16.7%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
Tucson
12.5%
| Metric | Providence, RI | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 11.5% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.3% | Tucson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 15.7% | Providence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.5% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Tucson
12.2 in
| Metric | Providence, RI | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 69.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Providence
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Providence, RI | Tucson, 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
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tucson. Tucson has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Providence, RILos Angeles, CA vs Providence, RIChicago, IL vs Providence, RIHouston, TX vs Providence, RIPhoenix, AZ vs Providence, RIPhiladelphia, PA vs Providence, RI