Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Providence, RI
VS
Roanoke, VA
🏆 Roanoke leads 16 of 23 categories
Providence
Rhode Island
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$61,365 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
73 ✓ Safer
Population
189,715 ✓ Larger
Roanoke
Virginia
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.9 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$51,523
Violent Crime Index
163⚠ High
Population
99,213
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Providence, RI
Pros
55% less violent crime than Roanoke
Households earn $9,842 more per year on average
More college-educated — 34.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Cost of living runs 10% higher than Roanoke
Roanoke, VA
Pros
Homes cost $131k less ($162,000 vs $293,000)
Rent averages $297/mo less ($917 vs $1,214)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.6 pts lower (6.6%)
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Providence
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.9)
Cons
Violent crime (620.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Providence by $9,842/yr
Property crime (4055.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Providence
Median Income
$9,842
$61,365 vs $51,523/yr
Providence
Violent Crime
55% lower
276.7 vs 620.4 per 100k
Roanoke
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 90.9 vs 100.9 (100 = US avg)
Roanoke
Median Home Value
$131k less
$162,000 vs $293,000
Roanoke
Unemployment
0.6 pp lower
6.6% vs 7.2% unemployment
Roanoke
Summer Heat
4.5°F warmer
July avg high 88.1°F vs 83.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Providence, RI | Roanoke, VA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 100.9⚠ High | 90.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $293,000 | $162,000 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,214 | $917 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $61,365 ✓ Higher | $51,523 |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2%⚠ High | 6.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.2 min | 20.9 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 11.5% ✓ Higher | 9.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 75 ✓ Safer | 175⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 73 ✓ Safer | 163⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 79 ✓ Safer | 193⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (95) | B (100) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 | 12.2:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 34.5% ✓ Higher | 28.4% |
| High School or Higher | 82.9% | 89.1% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Providence | Roanoke City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.3°F | 47.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 83.6°F | 88.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 47.5" | 42.8" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 36.6" | 14.8" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 189,715 ✓ Larger | 99,213 |
| Median Age | 32.3 | 38.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.9% | 52.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.7% | 22.2% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 11.8% | 17.6% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Providence's cost of living index is 100.9 vs Roanoke's 90.9 (US average = 100).
Roanoke is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Roanoke leads 16 of 23 categories. Providence wins 7 and Roanoke wins 16. 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 Roanoke or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($293,000 vs $162,000 median home), income ($61,365 vs $51,523), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Providence, RI and Roanoke, VA are about 552 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.