How long is the commute from Providence, RI?
Workers who live in Providence, RI take an average of 25.0 minutes to get to work (2020–2024 American Community Survey).
60.5% of workers drive alone to work.
4.1% take public transportation.
7.3% of workers walk to work.
14.3% work from home.
17.1% of households have no vehicle.
Figures last updated on .
- Average commute
- 25.0 minutes (±0.9)
- Public transportation
- 4.1%
- Work from home
- 14.3%
- Households without a car
- 17.1%
How people in Providence get to work
| Means of transportation | Providence | Providence County | Rhode Island | United States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drove alone | 60.5% (±1.9 points) | 70.7% | 72.4% | 68.8% |
| Carpooled | 10.0% (±1.5 points) | 8.8% | 7.7% | 8.5% |
| Public transportation | 4.1% (±0.7 points) | 2.3% | 1.7% | 3.2% |
| Walked | 7.3% (±0.8 points) | 3.1% | 2.8% | 2.4% |
| Other means (bicycle, taxi, motorcycle) | 3.8% (±0.8 points) | 2.9% | 2.3% | 2.0% |
| Worked from home | 14.3% (±1.3 points) | 12.3% | 13.0% | 15.1% |
In Providence, the average commute is not measurably different from Providence County (25.9 minutes).
It is not measurably different from Rhode Island (25.5 minutes).
It is lower than the national figure (26.4 minutes).
In Providence, the share commuting by public transportation is higher than in Providence County (2.3%).
It is also higher than in Rhode Island (1.7%).
It is higher than the national figure (3.2%).
In Providence County, Providence ranks 11 of 16 places with a published estimate, from highest to lowest average commute.
Statewide, it ranks 23 of 39.
Rankings use the estimates alone; where margins of error overlap, neighboring ranks may not truly differ.
Cars per household in Providence
| Vehicles available | Providence | Providence County | Rhode Island | United States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No vehicle | 17.1% (±1.2 points) | 11.5% | 9.1% | 8.4% |
| 1 vehicle | 45.5% (±1.7 points) | 38.9% | 36.3% | 33.1% |
| 2 vehicles | 26.2% (±1.6 points) | 34.3% | 36.6% | 36.6% |
| 3 or more vehicles | 11.2% (±1.4 points) | 15.3% | 18.0% | 21.9% |
In Providence, the share of households without a vehicle is higher than in Providence County (11.5%).
It is also higher than in Rhode Island (9.1%).
It is higher than the national figure (8.4%).
Working from home and internet access in Providence
| Providence | Providence County | Rhode Island | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Workers working from home | 14.3% (±1.3 points) | 12.3% (±0.6 points) | 13.0% (±0.5 points) | 15.1% |
| Households with a computer | 94.6% (±0.9 points) | 94.0% (±0.4 points) | 94.7% (±0.3 points) | 95.5% |
| Households with broadband internet | 89.7% (±1.1 points) | 90.5% (±0.5 points) | 91.7% (±0.3 points) | 91.0% |
In Providence, the share of households with a broadband subscription is not measurably different from Providence County (90.5%).
It is also lower than in Rhode Island (91.7%).
It is lower than the national figure (91.0%).
Average commute in places near Providence
| Place | Distance | Average commute | Compared with this place |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | — | 25.0 minutes (±0.9) | — |
| North Providence | 3.3 mi | 27.3 minutes (±2.5) | Not measurably different |
| East Providence | 3.4 mi | 22.6 minutes (±1.3) | Lower |
| Pawtucket | 4.3 mi | 25.6 minutes (±1.2) | Not measurably different |
| Central Falls | 4.8 mi | 27.4 minutes (±2.7) | Not measurably different |
| Cranston | 5.0 mi | 24.3 minutes (±1.0) | Not measurably different |
| Johnston | 5.2 mi | 23.6 minutes (±1.3) | Not measurably different |
| Seekonk | 5.3 mi | 28.8 minutes (±2.3) | Higher |
| North Seekonk | 6.2 mi | 33.6 minutes (±4.0) | Higher |
Nearby places with a measurably lower figure: East Providence, RI (22.6 minutes).
Nearby places with a measurably higher figure: Seekonk, MA (28.8 minutes), North Seekonk, MA (33.6 minutes).
Distance is measured in a straight line between the Census Bureau’s internal points for each place.
Average commute across Providence County, place by place
| Rank | Place | Average commute |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Woonsocket | 29.3 minutes (±1.6) |
| 6 | Central Falls | 27.4 minutes (±2.7) |
| 7 | North Providence | 27.3 minutes (±2.5) |
| 8 | North Smithfield | 26.4 minutes (±3.0) |
| 9 | Cumberland | 26.3 minutes (±1.6) |
| 10 | Pawtucket | 25.6 minutes (±1.2) |
| 11 | Providence | 25.0 minutes (±0.9) |
| 12 | Smithfield | 24.6 minutes (±1.6) |
| 13 (tie) | Cranston | 24.3 minutes (±1.0) |
| 13 (tie) | Lincoln | 24.3 minutes (±1.5) |
| 15 | Johnston | 23.6 minutes (±1.3) |
| 16 | East Providence | 22.6 minutes (±1.3) |
Showing 12 of 16 places in Providence County, ranked from highest to lowest.
Survey years: 2020–2024 (American Community Survey 5-year estimates).
Margins of error are at the 90% confidence level.
What you can do on Seayora in Providence
One account for renting, owning, managing and fixing homes, with these figures beside you.
Looking for a place to rent?
Browse homes for rent near Providence, save the ones you like and apply online.
Browse rentals · Create a renter account
Own or manage a rental?
List it, sign the lease and collect rent online, with the figures for Providence beside you.
Create a landlord account · See what landlords get
Do repairs, renovations or maintenance?
Get found by owners and renters near Providence, and send estimates and invoices from your phone.
Questions about Providence
How long is the average commute in Providence?
Workers who live in Providence, RI take an average of 25.0 minutes each way (2020–2024 American Community Survey).
Can you live in Providence without a car?
17.1% of households in Providence have no vehicle, and 4.1% of workers commute by public transportation.
How many people work from home in Providence?
14.3% (±1.3 points) of workers who live in Providence worked from home, and 89.7% of households have a broadband subscription.
Sources
- Selected Economic Characteristics (DP03), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Providence city, Rhode Island
- Selected Housing Characteristics (DP04), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Providence city, Rhode Island
- Selected Social Characteristics (DP02), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Providence city, Rhode Island
To check these figures in the Census Bureau’s own API, request the variables below from the 2024 ACS 5-year data profile (acs/acs5/profile) for Providence city, Rhode Island (place:59000, in state:44).
Each estimate (E or PE) has a margin of error beside it (M or PM).
The API needs a free key.
DP03_0018E, DP03_0018M, DP03_0025E, DP03_0025M, DP03_0019PE, DP03_0019PM, DP03_0020PE, DP03_0020PM, DP03_0021PE, DP03_0021PM, DP03_0022PE, DP03_0022PM, DP03_0023PE, DP03_0023PM, DP03_0024PE, DP03_0024PM, DP04_0058PE, DP04_0058PM, DP04_0059PE, DP04_0059PM, DP04_0060PE, DP04_0060PM, DP04_0061PE, DP04_0061PM, DP02_0153PE, DP02_0153PM, DP02_0154PE, DP02_0154PM
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are published by the US Census Bureau, HUD, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the FBI; Seayora reproduces them and does not adjust them, except where a sentence says it compares dollar figures after inflation. They describe the whole place, not any one building or street, and are not an appraisal, a rent determination, a tax bill, a safety rating or legal advice.
Figures last updated on .
Related
- Housing in Providence at a glance
- Median rent in Providence
- Rent by bedrooms in Providence
- Rent burden in Providence
- Renters and owners in Providence
- Income and affordability in Providence
- Home values in Providence
- Homeowner costs in Providence
- Property taxes in Providence
- Types of homes in Providence
- Bedrooms in Providence
- Age of homes in Providence
- Vacancy rate in Providence
- Heating fuel in Providence
- Crime reported to police in Providence
- Population growth in Providence
- How long people stay in Providence
- Crowding and facilities in Providence
- Rhode Island landlord and tenant rules
- Housing across Providence County
- Rhode Island places ranked by commute time
- Housing data for every place in Rhode Island