Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Providence, RI
VS
Tempe, AZ
🏆 Tempe leads 14 of 23 categories
Providence
Rhode Island
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$61,365
Violent Crime Index
73 ✓ Safer
Population
189,715 ✓ Larger
Tempe
Arizona
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
99.9 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$72,022 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
124⚠ High
Population
181,005
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Providence, RI
Pros
41% less violent crime than Tempe
Homes cost $89k less ($293,000 vs $382,100)
Rent averages $258/mo less ($1,214 vs $1,472)
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 106°F
Cons
Median income trails Tempe by $10,657/yr
Higher unemployment (7.2% vs 5.7%)
Tempe, AZ
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.5 pts lower (5.7%)
Households earn $10,657 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 71°F vs 38°F
More college-educated — 48.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Violent crime (470.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Pricier housing — median home is $382,100
Higher rents — median is $1,472/mo
Property crime (2893.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Providence
Violent Crime
41% lower
276.7 vs 470.3 per 100k
Providence
Median Home Value
$89k less
$293,000 vs $382,100
Tempe
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 99.9 vs 100.9 (100 = US avg)
Tempe
Median Income
$10,657
$72,022 vs $61,365/yr
Tempe
Unemployment
1.5 pp lower
5.7% vs 7.2% unemployment
Tempe
Summer Heat
22.3°F warmer
July avg high 105.9°F vs 83.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Providence, RI | Tempe, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 100.9⚠ High | 99.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $293,000 ✓ Lower | $382,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,214 ✓ Lower | $1,472⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $61,365 | $72,022 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2%⚠ High | 5.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.2 min | 21.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 11.5% | 16.8% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 75 ✓ Safer | 129⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 73 ✓ Safer | 124⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 79 ✓ Safer | 138⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (95) | A (125) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 | 14.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 34.5% | 48.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 82.9% | 93.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Providence | Tempe School District (4258) |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.3°F | 70.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 83.6°F | 105.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 47.5" | 8.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 36.6" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 189,715 ✓ Larger | 181,005 |
| Median Age | 32.3 ✓ Older | 29.7 |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.9% | 40.7% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.7% ✓ More | 14.4% |
| Over 65 | 11.8% ✓ More | 10.6% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Providence's cost of living index is 100.9 vs Tempe's 99.9 (US average = 100).
Tempe is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Tempe leads 14 of 23 categories. Providence wins 9 and Tempe wins 14. 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 Tempe or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($293,000 vs $382,100 median home), income ($61,365 vs $72,022), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Providence, RI and Tempe, AZ are about 2,270 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.