Providence RI

In Providence, the rent-to-income burden runs around 25% — refreshingly manageable by national standards. Median income sits at $68,119 and median rent is $1,408/month. 46% of renters are cost-burdened (30%+ of income on housing). Landlords are winning; everyone else is treading water. Median home value: $362,200 — that's 5.3× the median income. Employment picture: 8.20% unemployment — a softer job market. Poverty rate: 20.7% — well above the national average. The headline economic numbers hide a bifurcated city. Average commute: 25 minutes — acceptable. Violent crime: 35.9/100k avg monthly rate (3155 reported); Property crime: 219.5/100k avg monthly rate (19330 reported). Providence was founded in 1636 — that's 390 years of history baked into the streets. The city covers 20.6 sq miles at 9,323 people/sq mile — densely packed. Elevation: 75 ft — essentially flat — floods are a real conversation. Providence has 5 sister cities — cosmopolitan on paper, at least. RoastMyCity overall score: 56/100 — It Depends.