Providence RI vs Vallejo CA — 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%
Vallejo, CA
California · Population: 68,141
- Median HH Income$137,194
- Median Home Price$523,551
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Vallejo
68,141
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Providence
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
Median Age
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Vallejo
42.1
Foreign Born
Providence
32.8%
Vallejo
46.9%
Vallejo +
White
Providence
40.7%
Providence +
Vallejo
17.9%
Black
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Vallejo
5.3%
Asian
Providence
5.9%
Vallejo
55.9%
Vallejo +
Hispanic
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Vallejo
19.3%
Spanish at Home
Providence
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | 68,141 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 42.1 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 32.8% | 46.9% | Vallejo + |
| White | 40.7% | 17.9% | Providence + |
| Black | 13.3% | 5.3% | Providence + |
| Asian | 5.9% | 55.9% | Vallejo + |
| Hispanic | 44.3% | 19.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Providence
$66,772
Vallejo
$137,194
Vallejo +
Per Capita Income
Providence
$36,694
Vallejo
$56,020
Vallejo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Providence
$64,538
Vallejo
$77,230
Vallejo +
Unemployment Rate
Providence
7.4%
Vallejo
5.0%
Vallejo +
Poverty Rate
Providence
20.1%
Vallejo
7.0%
Vallejo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Providence
34.7%
Vallejo
45.3%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,772 | $137,194 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,694 | $56,020 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $64,538 | $77,230 | Vallejo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 5.0% | Vallejo + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 7.0% | Vallejo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.7% | 45.3% | Vallejo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Providence
$429,449
Providence +
Vallejo
$523,551
Homeownership Rate
Providence
41.2%
Vallejo
67.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,449 | $523,551 | Providence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 67.0% | Vallejo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
174
Providence +
Vallejo
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
1303
Providence +
Vallejo
2388
| Metric | Providence, RI | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 174 | 503 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1303 | 2388 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
34.4%
Vallejo
31.6%
Vallejo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Vallejo
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Providence
19.6%
Vallejo
16.9%
Vallejo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Providence
14.6%
Vallejo
9.6%
Vallejo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Providence
16.7%
Vallejo
13.8%
Vallejo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Providence
12.1%
Vallejo
12.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 31.6% | Vallejo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 13.3% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 16.9% | Vallejo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 9.6% | Vallejo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.8% | Vallejo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.0% | Vallejo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Vallejo
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Providence
75.0%
Vallejo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Providence, RI | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Providence
27.4 min
Providence +
Vallejo
36.0 min
| Metric | Providence, RI | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 36.0 min | Providence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vallejo leads in median household income at $137,194, 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 503 in Vallejo. Vallejo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vallejo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.6%.
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