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Rhode Island city profile

What Is It Like to Live in Providence?

What it costs to live in Providence, and how it compares with other Rhode Island cities, in plain numbers.

Value score

32

6th best value in Rhode Island

How much you get for what you pay, versus other Rhode Island cities.

Overall livability

35

7th overall in Rhode Island

Cost, safety, schools, jobs and quality of life combined.

Providence is home to about 188,812 people. A typical home runs $248,900 and a household earns around $55,800, a price-to-income ratio of 4.5. Among Rhode Island's cities, it ranks 6th for value and 7th overall.

Providence at a glance

Median home price

$248,900

7th in RI of 9

Median rent

$1,098/mo

Median household income

$55,800

Home price to income

4.5x

Unemployment

7.5%

5th in RI of 9

School rating

4/10

7th in RI of 9

Air quality (AQI)

45

0th in RI of 9

Walk score

22/100

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‹ See all top Rhode Island cities ranked  ยท  Rhode Island state profile ›

Sources: Home prices and rent from Zillow; income, unemployment and commute from the U.S. Census; school ratings from state education data; crime from the FBI; air quality from the EPA. City rankings are within Rhode Island only. Updated 2026.