Providence RI vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Providence
190,214
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Providence
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
Worcester
23.2%
White
Providence
40.7%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Providence
5.9%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Worcester
24.9%
Spanish at Home
Providence
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 34.1 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 32.8% | 23.2% | Providence + |
| White | 40.7% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 13.3% | 12.1% | Providence + |
| Asian | 5.9% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 44.3% | 24.9% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Providence
$66,772
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Providence
$64,538
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Providence
7.4%
Worcester
6.4%
Worcester +
Poverty Rate
Providence
20.1%
Worcester
19.8%
Worcester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Providence, RI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,772 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,694 | $35,825 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $64,538 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 6.4% | Worcester + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 19.8% | Worcester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.7% | 34.1% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Providence
$429,449
Providence +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Providence
41.2%
Worcester
42.4%
Worcester +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,449 | $435,532 | Providence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 42.4% | Worcester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
174
Providence +
Worcester
326
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
1303
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 174 | 326 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1303 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
11.5%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Providence
19.6%
Providence +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Providence
14.6%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Providence
16.7%
Providence +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Providence, RI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 35.3% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 19.9% | Providence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.1% | Providence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 14.5% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Worcester
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Providence, RI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Providence
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Providence, RI | Worcester, MA | 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
Worcester
27.3 min
Worcester +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 27.3 min | Worcester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, 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 326 in Worcester. Worcester has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, 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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