Living in Providence, Rhode Island
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Providence · Census data 2020–2024
Providence has 191,767 residents with a median age of 32.8. The median household income is $68,119 (22% lower than the Rhode Island median), the median home value is $362,200, the median rent is $1,408/month.
Providence at a glance
- Population
- 191,767
- Median age
- 32.8State: 40.6
- Median household income
- $68,119State: $87,796
- Median home value
- $362,200State: $404,200
- Median rent
- $1,408/moState: $1,342
- Homeowners
- 41.4%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 34.6%
- Average commute
- 25 min
Is Providence a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 10% lower than the state median; an average commute of 25 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 22% lower than the Rhode Island median; unemployment of 8.2%; a poverty rate of 20.7%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Providence
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Providence the median home value is $362,200, 9% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,408 per month, which is 29.2% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,100 a month in housing costs.
Providence median household income
The median household income in Providence is $68,119 and the income per person is $37,138. 20.7% of residents live below the poverty line (Rhode Island: 11.2%).
Housing in Providence: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 79,423
- Owner-occupied
- 41.4%
- Renter-occupied
- 58.6%
- Vacant
- 10%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1938
- Average household size
- 2.47
Providence demographics
- Population
- 191,767
- Median age
- 32.8
- Under 18
- 20.1%
- 65 and older
- 11.6%
- Households
- 71,497
- Foreign-born
- 33.5%
- Veterans
- 2.3%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Providence ›
Education in Providence
34.6% of adults 25 and older in Providence have a bachelor's degree or higher (Rhode Island: 37.7%), and 16.6% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Providence
- Unemployment rate
- 8.2%State: 5.8%
- Average commute
- 25 minState: 26 min
- Work from home
- 14.3%
- Drive alone
- 60.5%
- Public transit
- 4.1%
- Walk to work
- 7.3%
- Homes with broadband
- 89.7%
Providence vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | 191,767 | $68,119 | $362,200 | $1,408 |
| North Providence | 34,293 | $83,756 | $355,900 | $1,405 |
| East Providence | 47,281 | $75,912 | $365,500 | $1,288 |
| Pawtucket | 75,893 | $68,310 | $325,500 | $1,208 |
| Central Falls | 22,701 | $49,285 | $352,100 | $1,200 |
| Cranston | 83,250 | $90,206 | $378,300 | $1,375 |
| Johnston | 29,835 | $91,866 | $355,500 | $1,275 |
| Seekonk | 15,694 | $120,613 | $482,800 | $1,916 |
| North Seekonk | 2,974 | $114,712 | $436,700 | $1,421 |
More for people moving to Providence
Providence ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Providence: FAQ
What is the median household income in Providence, RI?
The median household income in Providence is $68,119, 22% lower than the Rhode Island median of $87,796 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Providence?
The median home value in Providence is $362,200, compared with $404,200 in Rhode Island.
How much is rent in Providence?
The median gross rent in Providence is $1,408 per month, about 29.2% of household income.
Is Providence, RI a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 10% lower than the state median; an average commute of 25 minutes. Minuses: median household income 22% lower than the Rhode Island median; unemployment of 8.2%; a poverty rate of 20.7%.
What is the median age in Providence?
The median age in Providence is 32.8 years (Rhode Island: 40.6).
How long is the commute in Providence?
The average commute to work in Providence is 25 minutes; 14.3% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Providence?
The unemployment rate in Providence is 8.2% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Providence?
34.6% of adults in Providence have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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