Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Providence, RI
VS
Rialto, CA
🏆 Providence leads 16 of 23 categories
Providence
Rhode Island
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$61,365
Violent Crime Index
73 ✓ Safer
Population
189,715 ✓ Larger
Rialto
California
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
107.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$80,750 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
169⚠ High
Population
103,873
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Providence, RI
Pros
57% less violent crime than Rialto
Homes cost $125k less ($293,000 vs $418,300)
Rent averages $339/mo less ($1,214 vs $1,553)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.1 pts lower (7.2%)
More college-educated — 34.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
Cons
Median income trails Rialto by $19,385/yr
Rialto, CA
Pros
Households earn $19,385 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 70°F vs 38°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $418,300
Violent crime (641.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,553/mo
Higher unemployment (9.3% vs 7.2%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Providence
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 100.9 vs 107.9 (100 = US avg)
Providence
Violent Crime
57% lower
276.7 vs 641.7 per 100k
Providence
Median Home Value
$125k less
$293,000 vs $418,300
Providence
Unemployment
2.1 pp lower
7.2% vs 9.3% unemployment
Rialto
Median Income
$19,385
$80,750 vs $61,365/yr
Rialto
Summer Heat
10.5°F warmer
July avg high 94.1°F vs 83.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Providence, RI | Rialto, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 100.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 107.9⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $293,000 ✓ Lower | $418,300⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,214 ✓ Lower | $1,553⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $61,365 | $80,750 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 9.3%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.2 min ✓ Shorter | 33.3 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 11.5% ✓ Higher | 6.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 75 ✓ Safer | 147⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 73 ✓ Safer | 169⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 79 ✓ Safer | 114⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (95) ✓ Better | C (81) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 23.2:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 34.5% ✓ Higher | 12.3% |
| High School or Higher | 82.9% ✓ Higher | 74.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Providence | Rialto Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.3°F | 69.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 83.6°F | 94.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 47.5" | 17.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 36.6" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 189,715 ✓ Larger | 103,873 |
| Median Age | 32.3 ✓ Older | 31.2 |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.9% | 62.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.7% | 27.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 11.8% ✓ More | 9.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Providence's cost of living index is 100.9 vs Rialto's 107.9 (US average = 100).
Providence is 7% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Providence leads 16 of 23 categories. Providence wins 16 and Rialto wins 7. 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 Providence to Rialto or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($293,000 vs $418,300 median home), income ($61,365 vs $80,750), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Providence, RI and Rialto, CA are about 2,529 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.