Chattanooga is actually wealthier compared to Providence but it's metro area is smaller in population
Providence: The median income for a household was $26,867, and the median income for a family in Providence was $32,058,. The city has one of the highest rates of poverty in the nation with 29.1% of the population and 23.9% of families living below the
poverty line.
Chattanooga: The median income for a household in the city was $35,817, and the median income for a family was $43,314. About 14% of families and 16.5% of the population were below the poverty line.
Chattanooga: 150.08 sq mi 2020 Population: 181,099. Density: 1,272.19/sq mi
Providence: 20.58 sq mi 2020 Population: 190,934 Density: 10,373.47/sq mi
Chattanooga TN - GA Metropolitan Area: 562,647
Providence RI - MA Metropolitan Area: 1,622,520