| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Providence/100k people | Rhode Island/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 3,747 | n/a (estimate) | 1,935 | 1,186 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 12 | n/a | 6.2 | 2.1 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 40 | n/a | 20.7 | 29.5 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 108 | n/a | 55.8 | 22.2 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 376 | n/a | 194.1 | 99.8 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 536 | n/a (estimate) | 277 | 154 | 359 |
| Burglary | 227 | n/a | 117.2 | 91.0 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 2,576 | n/a | 1,330.0 | 820.5 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 408 | n/a | 210.7 | 120.9 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 3,211 | n/a (estimate) | 1,658 | 1,032 | 1,760 |
The Providence crime rates are 8.7% lower than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 536 violent crimes in Providence (277 per 100,000 people), which is 22.9% lower than the national average and there were a total of 3211 property crimes (1658 per 100,000 residents) which is 5.8% lower than average.
When assessing the overall crime rate in Providence per 100,000 people, it stands in the median range among all cities with reported crime data. Our analysis of total incidents, encompassing both violent and property crimes, underscores the close alignment of reported Providence crime rates with the national average as reported by other areas.
Providence exhibits a property crime rate closely aligned with the national average. There were 1658 reported property crimes, which closely matches the national average of 1760 per 100,000 people. Consequently, the area's safety profile mirrors that of an average city, neither notably safer nor more dangerous than the norm. This balance suggests that Providence maintains a consistent approach to property crime prevention in line with the broader national landscape.
What is the prevailing sentiment among Providence residents regarding the state of crime? A comprehensive survey conducted by AreaVibes, involving 97 respondents, sheds light on this matter. The results were as follows: 38% of Providence residents expressed a notable sense of security, asserting that crime was virtually non-existent in their community, and they felt at ease strolling the streets after dark. While, 62% of those surveyed held a contrasting viewpoint, perceiving a higher incidence of crime, leading them to feel apprehensive about walking alone at night.
To determine if Providence is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Providence has a total crime rate that is 9% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 10.27 daily crimes (1.47 violent daily crimes and 8.8 daily property crimes) in Providence.
Year-over-year crime rates in Providence has decreased by 31.1% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Providence is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. Crime rates are categorized by violent and property crime. Year-over-year violent crime has decreased by 28.1%, while property crime has decreased by 31.6%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Providence.
Providence is a large urban city with at least 23 distinct neighborhoods. As a result, crime rates will differ dramatically from one neighborhood to the next. Typically, high density neighborhoods that are located close to the city center, experience more crime than neighborhoods on the outskirts of the city. Some of the safest neighborhoods in Providence include: Wayland, Blackstone and College Hill. Some neighborhoods that have a higher number of reported crime that you might want to avoid include: Downtown, Olneyville and Smith Hill.
In Providence, the poverty rate currently stands at 23%, which contrasts with the national average of 15.1%. It's essential to recognize that the economic status of a city's inhabitants could be a pivotal factor influencing crime stats. Communities grappling with high poverty rates and income inequality are often susceptible to elevated crime levels, as some individuals may turn to unlawful activities to fulfill their essential needs. While lower poverty rates could lead to a reduction in Providence crime rates.
If employment opportunities are limited or if many jobs offer low wages, it can lead to higher rates of unemployment and underemployment, which could lead to an increase in Providence crime rates. Areas where individuals struggle with unemployment or low wages, may be more susceptible to an increase in criminal activities as a result of financial insecurity. While lower rates of unemployment or a surplus of job opportunities could lead to a decrease in crime as their basic needs are being met. Providence has an unemployment rate of 4.6%, compared to a national average of 4.9%.
Providence has a ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents that differs from the national norm, with 2.91 officers and civilians per 1,000 residents, compared to 3.25 nationwide. Crime rates are profoundly influenced by the effectiveness of law enforcement and community policing endeavors. A resilient and cooperative partnership between law enforcement agencies and the community can serve as a deterrent to criminal activities, ultimately enhancing safety. The efficacy of law enforcement extends beyond mere numbers and extends into the realm of community policing strategies, emphasizing the cultivation of trust and collaboration between officers and the community. It is not merely a matter of quantity but the quality of engagement with the community that matters most.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Item | Providence | Rhode Island | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 517 | 1,505 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.9 | 2.6 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Rhode Island /100K | National /100K |
| Rhode Island | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Harmony, RI | 1,230 | 40 | 270 | 310 |
| Chepachet, RI | 1,735 | 50 | 336 | 386 |
| Harrisville, RI | 1,316 | 50 | 337 | 387 |
| North Seekonk, MA | 2,235 | 123 | 434 | 557 |
| Norton Center, MA | 2,839 | 144 | 508 | 652 |
| Greenville, RI | 9,423 | 85 | 573 | 658 |
| Ocean Grove, MA | 2,530 | 146 | 514 | 659 |
| Providence, RI | 185,554 | 277 | 1,658 | 1,935 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Sioux Falls, SD | 185,812 | 527 | 2,915 | 3,442 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | 185,280 | 343 | 1,320 | 1,663 |
| Ontario, CA | 185,250 | 272 | 1,817 | 2,090 |
| Newport News, VA | 184,134 | 736 | 2,416 | 3,152 |
| Chattanooga, TN | 187,734 | 824 | 3,942 | 4,766 |
| Providence, RI | 185,554 | 277 | 1,658 | 1,935 |
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