Providence RI vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Providence
190,214
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Providence
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Providence
40.7%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Providence
13.3%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Providence
5.9%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Providence
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 37.4 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 32.8% | 9.1% | Providence + |
| White | 40.7% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 13.3% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 5.9% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 44.3% | 8.9% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Providence
$66,772
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Providence
$36,694
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Providence
$64,538
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Providence
7.4%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Providence
20.1%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Providence
34.7%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,772 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,694 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $64,538 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.7% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Providence
$429,449
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Providence
41.2%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,449 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
174
Providence +
Virginia Beach
240
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
1303
Providence +
Virginia Beach
1726
| Metric | Providence, RI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 174 | 240 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1303 | 1726 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Providence
19.6%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Providence
14.6%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Providence
16.7%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Providence
12.1%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Tie
| Metric | Providence, RI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 36.5% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 11.8% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.1% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Virginia Beach, VA | 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 +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Providence
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Providence, RI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Providence
27.4 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Virginia Beach. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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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