Los Angeles
California
Pop. 3,881,041
VS
Providence
Rhode Island
Pop. 189,715

Full comparison across 7 data categories from U.S. government sources

47
Overall Score /100
Wins 1 of 7 categories
63
Overall Score /100
Wins 2 of 7 categories
Providence wins 2–1
based on 7 categories of official U.S. government data
⚡ TL;DR
Providence wins 1–2 overall (63/100)
💰 Providence is more affordable
💼 Providence has lower unemployment
🛡️ Providence has fewer disasters

📋 Los Angeles vs Providence — The Verdict

Providence scores 63/100 compared to Los Angeles's 47.5/100, winning 2 out of 7 data categories. On affordability, Providence has a clear edge with home prices 64% lower. Providence has a significantly tighter job market with unemployment at 4.3%. For safety-conscious movers, Providence has a notably lower disaster history with 40 fewer declarations in 20 years. Providence may be the better fit for budget-conscious movers.

💡 Key Differences
🏠
Home prices in Providence are 64% lower — a difference of $529,600 in median home value.
💰
Renting in Providence saves you $577/month — that's $6,924 per year.
💵
Households in Los Angeles earn $14,879 more per year (24% higher median income).
📊
Providence has a 1.2 percentage point lower unemployment rate, suggesting a stronger job market.
🛡️
Providence has experienced 40 fewer federally declared disasters in the last 20 years, indicating lower overall natural disaster risk.
💰 Los Angeles vs Providence: Cost of Living Comparison
10
vs
65
Median Home Value
$822,600
$293,000
Median Rent /mo
$1,791
$1,214
Median Income
$76,244
$61,365
Electricity ¢/kWh
¢
¢
The affordability gap is significant — Providence offers home prices 64% lower than Los Angeles, translating to $529,600 in savings on a median-priced home. This difference alone could determine which city makes financial sense for your situation.
💼 Los Angeles vs Providence: Job Market & Salaries
35
vs
55
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
4.3%
Job Growth YoY
%
%
Labor Force
N/A
N/A
Both cities offer competitive employment, with Providence having a slight edge at 4.3% unemployment. Industry fit may matter more than the overall rate.
🌡️ Los Angeles vs Providence: Weather & Climate
50
vs
50
Summer High
°F
°F
Winter Low
°F
°F
Sunny Days /yr
Annual Rain
"
"
Annual Snow
"
"
📊 See Full City Rankings →
🌿 Los Angeles vs Providence: Air Quality & Environment
85
vs
70
Air Quality (AQI)
0
58 Moderate
Toxic Facilities (TRI)
0
0
Water Violations
0
0
Environmental conditions are broadly similar between the two cities based on current EPA monitoring data.
🌐 Los Angeles vs Providence: Internet & Infrastructure
50
vs
50
Max Internet Speed
N/A Mbps
N/A Mbps
ISP Providers
0
0
Fiber Available
❌ No
❌ No
Solar Potential (kWh/m²/day)
Internet and utility infrastructure data helps assess remote work viability and monthly overhead costs in each city.
⚠️ Los Angeles vs Providence: Natural Disaster Risk
95
vs
95
Disasters (20 years)
54
14
Flood Zone
None
None
Earthquake Risk
Low
Low
Hurricane Risk
Low
Moderate
Providence has a markedly lower disaster history — 40 fewer federal declarations over 20 years. This can translate to lower insurance premiums and less disruption to daily life.

❓ Moving from Los Angeles to Providence: Common Questions

Is Los Angeles or Providence cheaper to live in?
Providence is more affordable overall. Home prices are $529,600 lower in Providence. Monthly rent is $1,214 in Providence vs $1,791 in Los Angeles.
Does Los Angeles or Providence have better weather?
Providence scores higher on climate (50/100 vs 50/100).
Is Los Angeles or Providence better for finding a job?
Providence currently has a stronger job market. Unemployment is 5.5% in Los Angeles vs 4.3% in Providence. Median household income is $76,244 in Los Angeles and $61,365 in Providence.
Which city is safer — Los Angeles or Providence?
In terms of natural disaster risk, Providence is safer. Los Angeles has had 54 federal disaster declarations in 20 years vs 14 in Providence. Los Angeles scores 95/100 on safety vs 95/100 for Providence.
Should I move from Los Angeles to Providence?
Based on our data, Providence scores 63.0/100 vs Los Angeles's 47.5/100 overall. The best choice depends on your priorities — Providence is more affordable, while Providence has a better climate.

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📊 Data: U.S. Census Bureau (ACS), Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), NOAA Climate Normals, EPA AirNow & TRI, NREL PVWatts, FEMA Disaster Declarations, FCC Broadband Data. Last updated: April 5, 2026.