Providence, Rhode Island

Creative capital with colonial roots

Northeast Providence-Warwick, RI-MA Metro

U.S. News (2025)

#53 Best Places to Live

Travel + Leisure (2024)

#8 Best U.S. Cities

WhereAtHome Score

67.8

D+

out of 100

Overview

Providence has reinvented itself as a creative hub, anchored by Rhode Island School of Design and Brown University. The city offers historic architecture, a strong food scene, and more affordable living than Boston. WaterFire events and arts programming draw visitors year-round.

Key Highlights

  • RISD and Brown University
  • Strong arts and creative community
  • Historic Federal Hill Italian neighborhood
  • WaterFire public art events
  • More affordable than Boston
  • Easy Amtrak access to NYC and Boston

Key Metrics

Population 2024

189,692

Source: Census ACS

Median Home Value 2026

$437,919

Source: Zillow ZHVI

Median Household Income 2023

$50,991

Source: Census ACS

Average Commute 2023

24.8 min

Source: Census ACS

Walk Score 2025

72

Source: Walk Score

Crime Level 2024

Moderate-High

Source: FBI CDE

School Rating

2025

C (4.8/10)

Source: Curated

Cost of Living Index 2025

107 (100 = U.S. avg)

Source: Curated

2024 Presidential Election

Providence County (county-level results)

56%
42%
Democrat 151,508
Republican 112,558
Leans D+14.4

Source: County-level results from MIT Election Data + Science Lab. Learn more

Climate

Summer High

82°F

Winter Low

23°F

Annual Rainfall

47"

Sunny Days

201

Amenities & Infrastructure

120+ Parks

Green spaces and recreation

5 Major Hospitals

Healthcare access

8 Universities

Higher education institutions

Public Transit Available

Bus, rail, or metro service

Major Employers

Brown University Lifespan CVS Health Hasbro

Score Breakdown

6 of 6 score factors available. Missing factors are excluded and available weights are rescaled.

Housing Affordability 46.9/100

Median home value relative to national average (Weight: 20%)

Income vs Housing 32.1/100

How affordable housing is relative to local incomes (Weight: 20%)

Commute Time 58.4/100

Average commute time compared to national average (Weight: 15%)

Crime 35/100

Overall crime levels based on FBI crime statistics (Weight: 20%)

Walkability 72/100

Walk Score — ease of daily errands on foot (Weight: 15%)

Purchasing Power 40.3/100

Median income relative to national average, adjusted for cost of living (Weight: 10%)

WhereAtHome Score 67.8

Location

Providence, RI (41.8240, -71.4128)
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Compare with another city

Start Comparison

Last Updated: 2026-07-01

Data sourced from U.S. Census Bureau, Zillow, FBI Crime Data Explorer, Walk Score, and Niche.

Nearby Cities

East Providence

RI

C

Cranston

RI

C

Pawtucket

RI

C-

Central Falls

RI

C-

Warwick

RI

C-

Attleboro

MA

D

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