Providence RI vs Winston-Salem NC — 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Providence
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Providence
40.7%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Providence
13.3%
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Winston-Salem +
Asian
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Providence
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | 118,578 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 37.5 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 32.8% | 5.7% | Providence + |
| White | 40.7% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 13.3% | 14.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Asian | 5.9% | 1.3% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 44.3% | 8.9% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Providence
$36,694
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Providence
7.4%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Providence
20.1%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Providence
34.7%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,772 | $63,900 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,694 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $64,538 | $59,120 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.7% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Providence
$429,449
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Providence
41.2%
Winston-Salem
46.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,449 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 46.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
174
Providence +
Winston-Salem
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
1303
Providence +
Winston-Salem
1999
| Metric | Providence, RI | Winston-Salem, NC | 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%
Providence +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Providence
19.6%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Providence
14.6%
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Winston-Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Providence
16.7%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Providence, RI | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 42.7% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 13.1% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.8% | Winston-Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 14.4% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Winston-Salem, NC | 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 +
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Providence
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Providence, RI | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Providence
27.4 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while winston-Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,013. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, 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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