Smart Movers Club

    Moving to Providence, RI

    Is Providence a good place to live?

    Watch Providence

    Providence ranks #5 of 7 Rhode Island cities with 25,000+ people on the Smart Movers livability score (46/100), which weighs home affordability, unemployment, education and population growth. Population grew 0.3% in the latest Census year.

    Median home value
    $322,800
    +10.2% vs prior year
    Median rent
    $1,333
    per month
    Household income
    $66,772
    median
    Unemployment
    7.4%
    lower is better

    Cost of living in Providence

    The median home value in Providence is $322,800 and median rent is $1,333 a month, against a median household income of $66,772. Homes cost about 4.8× a year of income (under 3× is considered affordable).

    Providence crime rate

    City-level FBI figures vary by agency; across Rhode Island the 2025 rate was 146 violent and 921 property crimes per 100,000 people — #47 highest of 50 states. The full report breaks down local trends.

    Moving to Providence, RI

    Providence has about 190,214 residents, 7.4% unemployment and 18% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher.

    Compare Providence with

    Providence vs WarwickProvidence vs CranstonProvidence vs PawtucketProvidence vs East ProvidenceProvidence vs WoonsocketProvidence vs Newport

    More: Where to move in Rhode Island · Best counties in Rhode Island

    Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023, compared with 2022); FBI Crime Data Explorer.

    Home listings, local news, migration, schools, resources and the Smart Movers Grade & Verdict.

    See the full Smart Movers Club report