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Providence, RI

Population: 178,851
livability score shield 61

Key findings

  • Providence has a Livability Score of 61/100, which is considered below average
  • Providence crime rates are 96% higher than the Rhode Island average
  • Cost of living in Providence is 6% lower than the Rhode Island average
  • Providence real estate prices are 27% lower than the Rhode Island average
  • Rental prices in Providence are 2% lower than the Rhode Island average

Best Places to Live in and Around Providence

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Compare Providence, RI Livability

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      What do the locals think about Providence?

      42%Family friendly 67%Public transit is accessible 75%Walkable to grocery stores 25%Yards are well-kept 58%Lots of parks 75%Walkable to restaurants 25%Friendly neighbors 33%Safe at night 50%Pet friendly 92%Streets have sidewalks 25%A quiet area 67%Sense of community
      Based on 12 votes from AreaVibes users. See all Providence poll results.

      Providence Real estate & Rental prices

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      Providence Demographics

      Population178,851 Median Age29.4 Have Kids (under 18)53%
      See more Providence demographic data

      Providence, RI

      Providence, Rhode Island, is one of the nation's oldest cities that has played a very important role in the state's history. As the state's capital, Providence is a great place to check out all of the government buildings where the state's leaders make important decisions for those who call Providence and other Rhode Island cities home. Providence's housing market is cheaper than some other Rhode Island communities, and it offers houses at a cheaper price than other cities in the New England area.

      Waterplace Park is the heart of the city's cultural and entertainment scene, and it is one of the areas where you will find a lot of people gathered on a magical Rhode Island evening in the summer. You can find a lot of amazing restaurants in the area as well as chefs have seized the opportunity to set up shop in this prime location. RISD Museum showcases a collection of fine art that is on par with any on the East Coast. An afternoon at the museum will allow you to brush up on the works of classic painters. The Roger Williams Park Zoo gives children a chance to see the animals that they read about in books up close and personal. The WaterFire Art Institute is one of the city's newer attractions that is giving the city's local arts scene a big boost and putting Providence on the map for its talented artists.

      Over 175,000 people call Providence home, and the city's top employers include the state government, the Department of the Navy, and the staff at Brown University. Providence is also home to the Providence Friars who play basketball at a very high level. Those who are looking to purchase a home in Providence will want to look in the Federal Hill area to capture the best views that the city has to offer. College Hill and Fox Point are other neighborhoods that are known for their schools and safety.

      In general, Providence public schools have a poor reputation, so those looking to rent or buy a home will want to make sure that they do their homework if this is something that is important to parents. Traffic in Providence is not nearly as big of a problem as it is in Boston, but there are times throughout the day when you will get stuck in bumper to bumper traffic on I-95. RIPTA is the area's public transit provider, and for a low fare, you can get around the greater Providence area with ease. All in all, Providence offers its residents a good quality of life with a lot of excellent dining options, good shopping, and easy access to other East Coast cities.

      Top Rated Schools in Providence

      Name Grades Students Proficiency
      Classical High School9 - 121,12683%
      Achievement First IluminarKG - 336767%
      Sheila Skip Nowell (Capital)9 - 129050%
      Af Providence Mayoral Middle5 - 510050%
      Achievement First ProvidenceKG - 445150%
      Reservoir Avenue SchoolKG - 529340%
      Vartan Gregorian Elementary SchoolKG - 536837%
      Leviton Dual Language SchoolKG - 527737%
      See all Providence schools

      The best places in Rhode Island

      Here are the best places to live in Rhode IslandSee the best places to live in & around ProvidenceCheck out the 10 safest cities in Rhode IslandTop 10 best public schools in Providence

      Providence Reviews

      Write a review about Providence Tell people what you like or don't like about Providence…
      Providence is OK
      Attractions5/10
      Community3/10
      Nightlife4/10
      Dining6/10
      Shopping10/10
      Providence is okay :| you could see good downtown but Providence is a sleepy ton compared to other cities in America and yeah that's all I have to say
      • Anonymous (Lives nearby)
      • May 12, 2020
      0 0
      Providence, RI - A Great Place to Raise a Family
      Attractions7/10
      Community8/10
      Nightlife6/10
      Dining6/10
      Shopping6/10
      I lived in the city of Providence, RI for four years. Providence has a unique culture that draws some of its best elements from being a seaside port, a historical landmark and Boston's southward neighbor.

      Providence is a place where arts and dining truly shine. In recent years, Providence has become known for its environmental art show, WaterFire, where people gather in the streets downtown to see a series of bonfires lit just above the surface of the canals running through the city, to a backdrop of classical music. The atmosphere is incredible. It is a beautiful way to experience the city on a summer evening, especially for those lucky enough to reserve an outdoor table at one of Providence's fine dining restaurants.

      Overall, Providence is a small city that has mastered the blend between being a hip college town, a comfortable place to raise a family and a sophisticated travel destination. Really, it should be in a category all its own.
      • Anonymous
      • May 05, 2010
      0 0
      Source: The Providence, RI data and statistics displayed above are derived from the 2016 United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
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