Is Providence or Woonsocket Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Woonsocket is safer than Providence (Safety Score 44/100 vs 42/100), with a total crime rate of 1,891 per 100,000 versus 1,935 for Providence — 2% lower. Providence has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Providence has a 30% lower rate.
Note: Providence is 4.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Providence — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Woonsocket — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Providence, RI
Woonsocket, RI
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Providence | Woonsocket | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,934.6 | 1,891.5 | +43.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 276.8 | 390.6 | -113.9 |
| Murder Rate | 6.2 | 4.6 | +1.6 |
| Rape Rate | 20.7 | 59.4 | -38.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 55.8 | 80.0 | -24.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 194.1 | 246.7 | -52.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,657.9 | 1,500.8 | +157.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 117.2 | 185.0 | -67.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,330.0 | 1,130.8 | +199.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 210.7 | 185.0 | +25.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Providence or Woonsocket safer?
Woonsocket is safer with a total crime rate of 1,891 per 100K vs 1,935 for Providence — a 2% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Providence has a violent crime rate of 276.8 per 100K while Woonsocket has 390.6. Providence has lower violent crime.
About Providence, RI
Providence, the capital of Rhode Island, is a historic New England city situated at the head of Narragansett Bay. Home to Brown University, it boasts a diverse population and a rich architectural heritage. With a safety score of 42/100 and a population coverage of 193,679, Providence has a total crime rate of 1,934.6 per 100,000 residents.
About Woonsocket, RI
Woonsocket, once a textile manufacturing hub known for its French-Canadian heritage, lies in northern Rhode Island along the Blackstone River. This mill city, with a population around 43,000, features dense urban housing and historic industrial architecture. With a safety score of 44/100 and a population coverage of 43,776, Woonsocket has a total crime rate of 1,891.5 per 100,000 residents.