Providence RI vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Providence
190,214
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Providence
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
Washington
13.3%
White
Providence
40.7%
Providence +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Providence
13.3%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Providence
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 34.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 32.8% | 13.3% | Providence + |
| White | 40.7% | 39.1% | Providence + |
| Black | 13.3% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 5.9% | 4.1% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 44.3% | 11.6% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Providence
$66,772
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Providence
$36,694
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Providence
$64,538
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Providence
7.4%
Washington
6.5%
Washington +
Poverty Rate
Providence
20.1%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Providence
34.7%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,772 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,694 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $64,538 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 6.5% | Washington + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.7% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Providence
$429,449
Providence +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Providence
41.2%
Providence +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Providence, RI | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,449 | $580,173 | Providence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 41.1% | Providence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
174
Providence +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
1303
Providence +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Providence, RI | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 174 | 398 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1303 | 1999 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
34.4%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
11.5%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Providence
19.6%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Providence
14.6%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Providence
16.7%
Providence +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Providence
12.1%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 24.0% | Providence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Washington, DC | 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 +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Providence
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Providence, RI | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Providence
27.4 min
Providence +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Providence, RI | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 32.8 min | Providence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, 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 398 in Washington. Washington has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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