Providence RI vs West Palm Beach FL — 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Providence
190,214
Providence +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Providence
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Providence
32.9
Providence +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
West Palm Beach
27.2%
White
Providence
40.7%
West Palm Beach
44.0%
West Palm Beach +
Black
Providence
13.3%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
West Palm Beach
24.6%
Spanish at Home
Providence
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | 119,508 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 40.2 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 32.8% | 27.2% | Providence + |
| White | 40.7% | 44.0% | West Palm Beach + |
| Black | 13.3% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 5.9% | 2.5% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 44.3% | 24.6% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Providence
$66,772
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
Providence
$36,694
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Providence
$64,538
West Palm Beach
$65,328
West Palm Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Providence
7.4%
West Palm Beach
5.4%
West Palm Beach +
Poverty Rate
Providence
20.1%
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Providence
34.7%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Providence, RI | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,772 | $69,261 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,694 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $64,538 | $65,328 | West Palm Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 5.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 14.8% | West Palm Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.7% | 37.6% | West Palm Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Providence
$429,449
West Palm Beach
$399,650
West Palm Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Providence
41.2%
West Palm Beach
50.2%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Providence, RI | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,449 | $399,650 | West Palm Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 50.2% | West Palm Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
174
Providence +
West Palm Beach
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
1303
Providence +
West Palm Beach
1453
| Metric | Providence, RI | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 174 | 324 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1303 | 1453 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
34.4%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Providence
19.6%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Providence
14.6%
Providence +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Providence
16.7%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
West Palm Beach
13.0%
| Metric | Providence, RI | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 29.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 13.7% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 16.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.9% | Providence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 13.0% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Providence, RI | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 75.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Providence
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Providence, RI | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Providence
27.4 min
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Providence, RI | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 25.0 min | West Palm Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, while west Palm Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,650. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in West Palm Beach. West Palm Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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