Affordable & Income-Based Housing in Providence

Affordability

Providence is a majority-renter city, with 59% of households renting, a median household income of $68,119, and a median gross rent of $1,408 per month, according to the Census ACS 5-Year (2024). With 5,258 income-restricted units across 68 HUD-assisted and LIHTC properties, the city has a substantial base of subsidized housing for renters who qualify.

Safety

According to FBI Crime Data Explorer, the Providence Police Department reported a violent crime rate of 282 per 100,000 residents in 2024. Note that crime rates are not directly comparable across cities due to differences in reporting practices and definitions.

Getting Around Providence

According to Walk Score, the area around assisted properties in Providence scores 96 (Walker's Paradise), 67 for Transit (Good Transit), and 79 for Biking. Most daily errands, transit trips, and bike routes are highly accessible from these locations.

Schools

According to the NCES Common Core of Data, 61 schools across 17 districts serve Providence, including 28 elementary, 10 middle, and 21 high schools, plus 2 other campuses. Quality varies by school and district, so renters should look up the assigned schools for any specific address they are considering.

Cost of Renting in Providence, RI

The median household income in Providence is $68,119 per year, according to Census ACS 5-Year estimates. The median market rent is $1,408 per month, according to the same source.

Affordable and income-based housing in Providence can significantly reduce that cost. Rents at HUD-assisted and LIHTC properties are restricted based on your income and household size, not set by the open market.

• 68 affordable properties are listed in Providence on Lease Lantern
• 5,258 total income-restricted units across those properties
• Qualifying renters typically pay no more than 30 percent of their adjusted income toward rent at HUD-assisted properties

About 59 percent of Providence residents rent their homes, according to Census ACS 5-Year data, making access to affordable rental options especially important in this city.

Flood and Environmental Exposure

All 68 assisted properties in Providence were mapped for flood risk. None are located in a high-risk flood zone, according to HUD-assisted property flood data.