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D

Is Providence, Rhode Island Safe?

Population 195,310 · Safer than 19% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

Crime in Providence runs high. The city's D grade puts it below 81% of US cities, with violent crime close to the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,567 per 100K.

Providence Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricProvidenceRhode Island AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate414.4338.3363.8
Property Crime Rate2170.32112.01,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate279.0--268.2
Theft Rate1567.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate367.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyD

258.5 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD+

414/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2170/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Providence

Violent crime in Providence is close to the national average. The rate of 414.4 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2170.3 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,567 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Providence Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault279
01.0x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery82
01.3x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary261
097% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,567
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft367
01.2x national avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Providence Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Providence
414.4
State
338.3
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Providence
2170.3
State
2112.0
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Providence Safety

Is Providence safe?
Not especially. Providence earns a D with a crime rate of 258.5 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Providence?
258.5 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 414.4 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2170.3 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Providence safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Providence's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,567 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Providence?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Providence generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Providence police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Providence?
Crime rates have held steady in Providence, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its D grade.
How does Providence compare to other cities in Rhode Island?
Below average for the state. Providence ranks behind about 73% of Rhode Island cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Providence to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Providence?
Bad. A D grade and 258.5 per-thousand rate put Providence below 81% of US cities. Violent crime at 414 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Providence?
414.4 per 100,000, which is 14% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (279), robbery (82), and murder (4.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Rhode Island

Similar-sized communities in Rhode Island. Compare crime rates across the state.

C-
See crime rates in Cranston84,647 pop · Grade C-
D
See crime rates in Warwick84,187 pop · Grade D
D
See crime rates in Pawtucket77,065 pop · Grade D
C
See crime rates in East Providence48,249 pop · Grade C
D
See crime rates in Woonsocket44,580 pop · Grade D
C
See crime rates in Newport24,251 pop · Grade C
View all Rhode Island city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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