CountyScore

Providence County

Rhode Island · RI

#5 in Rhode Island
58.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Providence County, Rhode Island

Providence County exceeds national average

Providence County's composite score of 58.1 outperforms the national median of 50.0 by 16%, placing it in the top 40% of U.S. counties. This shows Providence maintains livability above the American norm despite significant urban density.

Lowest-ranked county in Rhode Island

With a score of 58.1 versus the state average of 63.2, Providence County ranks last among Rhode Island's five counties. However, it remains competitive nationally and reflects the challenges of supporting a denser, more diverse urban population.

Affordability and housing access lead

Providence County's cost score of 59.7 is the second-best in the state, with median rent of $1,242/month and median home values of $339,100. This affordability makes it the most accessible county for lower-income families and first-time homebuyers.

Income levels and disaster risk need attention

Providence County's income score of 34.4 and median household income of $78,204 are substantially below peer counties, while the risk score of 6.3 reflects serious vulnerability to natural disasters and climate threats. These dual challenges constrain both earning potential and community resilience.

Right for affordability-first urban seekers

Providence County suits budget-conscious families and individuals drawn to urban amenities and diverse neighborhoods who can navigate lower incomes and heightened environmental risks. This is Rhode Island's most accessible entry point, requiring careful planning around flood and storm exposure.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax63.6Cost59.7SafetyComing SoonHealth75.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome34.4Risk6.3WaterComing Soon
🏛63.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠59.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼34.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤75.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡6.3
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Providence County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Osceola County
Florida
58.1
Median income: $68,711
DeKalb County
Georgia
58.1
Median income: $77,683
Polk County
Iowa
58.1
Median income: $81,621
Chester County
Pennsylvania
58.1
Median income: $123,041
Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Alaska
58.2
Median income: $90,625

Deep Dives

Providence County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Providence County

via TaxByCounty

Providence County taxes rank well above national average

Providence County's effective tax rate of 1.375% is more than 60% higher than the national median of 0.84%, placing it firmly in the nation's highest-tax regions. The median property tax of $4,661 nearly doubles the national median of $2,690, despite a median home value only 20% above the national figure.

Third-highest tax rate among Rhode Island counties

Providence County's effective tax rate of 1.375% ranks third in Rhode Island, behind Kent County at 1.468% and Bristol at 1.385%, but above the state average of 1.248%. The median property tax of $4,661 falls slightly below the state average of $5,269, reflecting Providence's lower median home values.

Providence taxes higher than Washington and Newport

Providence County's 1.375% effective rate exceeds Washington County's 1.054% and Newport County's 0.955%, though it trails Bristol and Kent. On a median home value of $339,100, Providence residents pay $4,661 annually—less than Bristol's $6,483 but more than Washington's $4,954.

Providence homeowners pay $4,661 on median home

Providence County's effective tax rate of 1.375% applied to the median home value of $339,100 yields an estimated annual property tax of $4,661. Mortgage holders average $4,722 in taxes annually, while outright owners typically pay around $4,531.

Challenge your valuation to lower your tax bill

With Providence County's above-average effective tax rate, homeowners benefit significantly from ensuring accurate assessments. If your property's assessed value exceeds recent comparable sales in your area, filing an appeal can reduce your annual tax liability and free up resources for other needs.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Providence County

via CostByCounty

Providence's affordability challenge deepens

With a rent-to-income ratio of 19.1%, Providence County renters spend nearly one-fifth of gross income on housing—above national comfort levels. The county's median household income of $78,204 is only slightly above the national median of $74,755, limiting the financial cushion many households enjoy.

Second-least affordable county statewide

Providence County ranks fourth among Rhode Island's five counties for affordability, with a rent-to-income ratio of 19.1%—2.1 points above the state average. Only Newport County faces a steeper housing burden for renters.

Lower rents, lower incomes than others

Providence's median rent of $1,242 is below the state average of $1,362, yet its median household income of $78,204 trails every other county significantly. This lower-wage environment means Providence renters, despite paying less rent, spend a higher share of income on housing.

Providence's income-to-housing mismatch

Renters pay $1,242 monthly while homeowners spend $1,712, together consuming about 31% of household income—the state's highest proportion. The median home value of $339,100 reflects moderate market conditions in Rhode Island's most populous county.

Providence requires careful budget planning

Providence County offers lower rents than Newport and Washington counties, but wage levels lag significantly, making housing a tighter budget item. If you're relocating for work, compare your job offer carefully against the 19.1% rent-to-income burden.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Providence County

via IncomeByCounty

Providence County lags national income slightly

Providence County's median household income of $78,204 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by just $3,449, placing it only marginally ahead of the typical US household. This modest advantage masks significant income inequality within Rhode Island's largest county.

Lowest earners among Rhode Island counties

Providence County ranks fifth and last among Rhode Island's five counties, earning $18,545 less than the state median of $96,749. Per capita income of $40,689 falls $11,890 below the state average, the lowest in the state and reflecting Providence's urban, diverse economic base.

Providence significantly trails all other counties

Providence County ($78,204) earns substantially less than Bristol ($110,926), Newport ($100,859), Washington ($102,478), and Kent ($91,278). The $13,045 income gap between Providence and its nearest neighbor, Kent, is the largest spread among any county pair in Rhode Island.

Housing costs squeeze household budgets

Providence County's 19.1% rent-to-income ratio is the second-highest in the state despite the lowest median income, creating serious affordability pressure. At median home values of $339,100, many Providence households struggle to build equity while managing monthly expenses.

Maximize resources for financial stability

Providence residents face real income constraints that require disciplined budgeting and intentional saving, even small amounts compound over time. Explore free or low-cost financial counseling through nonprofit organizations to build emergency funds and plan for future stability.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Providence County

via HealthByCounty

Providence health outcomes lag significantly

Providence County residents live to just 78.2 years, falling 5.8 years short of the U.S. average of 76.4 years and 1.7 years below Rhode Island's 79.9-year average—a notable gap. At 17.1% reporting poor or fair health, Providence's rate is 27% higher than the national average of 13.5%, signaling widespread chronic disease burden.

Rhode Island's lowest life expectancy county

Providence County ranks last among Rhode Island counties for life expectancy at 78.2 years and has the highest poor/fair health rate statewide at 17.1%. The county's 6.1% uninsured rate is the worst in the state, far exceeding Rhode Island's 4.2% average by 45%, leaving over 15,000 residents without coverage.

Health gap widens versus neighboring counties

Providence's 78.2-year lifespan trails Newport by 3.9 years and Bristol by 2.5 years, revealing significant disparities within the state. Providence's 6.1% uninsured rate is 1.6 percentage points above the next-worst county (Kent at 4%), suggesting systemic access barriers.

Uninsured rate and provider gaps collide

Providence's 6.1% uninsured rate means roughly 15,000+ residents lack health coverage, likely delaying or forgoing care despite having 97 primary care providers and 587 mental health providers per 100,000 residents. Many insured residents also face affordability challenges that keep them from using available providers.

Getting covered is the first step.

If you're among Providence's 6.1% uninsured, visit HealthCare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 today—coverage is more affordable than you may think. With strong mental health resources available, insurance unlocks the care you need to improve your health.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Providence County

via RiskByCounty

Providence: Highest Risk in Rhode Island

Providence County's composite risk score of 93.67 ranks as Relatively Moderate nationally, but represents the state's most elevated hazard exposure. Flood (96.60), tornado (78.31), and hurricane (91.70) risks all substantially exceed national averages.

Clear Risk Leader in Rhode Island

Providence County's 93.67 score exceeds every other Rhode Island county—37.08 points above the state average of 56.59 and far ahead of second-place Kent (69.43). The state capital's density and geography create compounded hazard exposure.

Dramatically Higher Risk Than All Peers

Providence (93.67) ranks nearly 30 points higher than Kent (69.43), 57 points above Washington (64.03), 30 points above Newport (36.42), and 74 points above Bristol (19.40). No other Rhode Island county approaches Providence's risk profile.

Flood, Tornado, and Hurricane Triple Threat

Providence's composite score is driven by exceptional flood risk (96.60—nearly worst-case nationally), tornado risk (78.31), and hurricane risk (91.70). Earthquake (89.38) and wildfire (31.71) add meaningful secondary hazards across the county.

Flood Insurance Is Mandatory, Not Optional

With flood risk at 96.60, Providence residents must secure federal flood insurance regardless of FEMA zone—lender requirements and personal protection demand it. Combine flood coverage with tornado-rated safe rooms, hurricane-impact windows, and earthquake-braced water heaters to address Providence's multi-hazard exposure.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.