Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Davenport, IA
VS
Providence, RI
🏆 Davenport leads 15 of 23 categories
Davenport
Iowa
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.3 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$59,890
Violent Crime Index
153⚠ High
Population
101,448
Providence
Rhode Island
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$61,365 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
73 ✓ Safer
Population
189,715 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Davenport, IA
Pros
Homes cost $138k less ($155,100 vs $293,000)
Rent averages $324/mo less ($890 vs $1,214)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.2 pts lower (5.0%)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Providence
Living costs sit below the national average (index 89.3)
Cons
Violent crime (581.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3540.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Providence, RI
Pros
52% less violent crime than Davenport
More college-educated — 34.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 38°F vs 31°F
Cons
Cost of living runs 12% higher than Davenport
Higher unemployment (7.2% vs 5.0%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Davenport
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 89.3 vs 100.9 (100 = US avg)
Davenport
Median Home Value
$138k less
$155,100 vs $293,000
Davenport
Unemployment
2.2 pp lower
5.0% vs 7.2% unemployment
Providence
Median Income
$1,475
$61,365 vs $59,890/yr
Providence
Violent Crime
52% lower
276.7 vs 581.4 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Providence, RI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.3 ✓ Cheaper | 100.9⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $155,100 ✓ Lower | $293,000 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $890 ✓ Lower | $1,214 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,890 | $61,365 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 18.5 min ✓ Shorter | 24.2 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.7% | 11.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 159⚠ High | 75 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 153⚠ High | 73 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 169⚠ High | 79 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (101) ✓ Better | B- (95) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 14.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.5% | 34.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 92.0% ✓ Higher | 82.9% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Davenport Comm School District | Providence |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.0°F | 38.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 83.9°F ✓ Warmer | 83.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 38.8" ✓ Drier | 47.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 36.1" ✓ Less | 36.6" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 101,448 | 189,715 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.4 ✓ Older | 32.3 |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% ✓ Higher | 39.9% |
| Under 18 | 21.4% ✓ More | 20.7% |
| Over 65 | 16.2% ✓ More | 11.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Davenport's cost of living index is 89.3 vs Providence's 100.9 (US average = 100).
Davenport is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Davenport leads 15 of 23 categories. Davenport wins 15 and Providence wins 8. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Davenport to Providence or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($155,100 vs $293,000 median home), income ($59,890 vs $61,365), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Davenport, IA and Providence, RI are about 988 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.