Boston, MA vs Providence, RI
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Boston
66.2
#1568 nationally
Providence
67.8
#1384 nationally
Boston leads in median household income ($81,744 vs $50,991). Boston leads in school rating (7.2 vs 4.8). Providence leads in cost of living index (107 vs 155).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Boston, MA | Providence, RI |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.2 (#1568) | 67.8 (#1384) |
| Population | 684,379 | 189,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $787,763 | $437,919 |
| Median Household Income | $81,744 | $50,991 |
| Average Commute | 30.2 min | 24.8 min |
| Walk Score | 83 | 72 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | 7.2 | 4.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 155 | 107 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+52.5 | D+14.4 |
D
66.2 Score
Boston, MA
Innovation hub with historic charm
Median Home
$787,763
Population
684,379
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Northeast
View Boston, MA →
D+
67.8 Score
Providence, RI
Creative capital with colonial roots
Median Home
$437,919
Population
189,692
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C
Northeast
View Providence, RI →