Rhode Island Cost of Living
Housing costs and affordability data for 5 counties.
Average Monthly Rent
$1,441/mo
Average Home Value
$474,800
Average Owner Cost
$1,883/mo
County cost atlas
Rhode Island housing costs by county
Compare rent, entry-price context, owner costs, and cost score in one state view. Pin a county, switch layers, then open the full county profile when a place needs closer review.
Counties
5
Avg rent
$1,441/mo
Owner cost
$1,883/mo
Avg score
7.1
Higher means lower cost pressure
Atlas layers use U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates. Rent, owner cost, and home value are county medians. Cost score rewards lower rent and lower owner costs, but affordability still depends on income, household size, commute, debt, and personal finances. Use this as decision context, not personalized financial advice.
State Cost Summary
Use these state averages as a starting point, then scan the atlas and rankings for the county-level spread behind them.
Housing Costs in Rhode Island: An Overview
The unweighted mean of county median rents in Rhode Island is $1,441 per month, which is 2% above the national ACS median of $1,413. This gives every county equal weight and is not an official statewide median.
Within Rhode Island, housing costs vary significantly by county. Newport County has the highest median rent in this dataset at $1,713 per month and a median home value of $609,700. Providence County has the lowest reported median rent at $1,312 per month and a median home value of $373,600.
The unweighted mean of county median home values in Rhode Island is $474,800, 43% higher than the national ACS median of $332,700. The unweighted mean of county median household incomes is $99,555; neither figure is a household-weighted statewide estimate.
Before comparing places in Rhode Island, start with the county-level pattern. Even in a smaller state, costs can vary between counties. Use the atlas, rankings, and county links below to compare rent, home values, owner costs, and rent burden before opening a specific county profile.
Distribution
Rent Distribution in Rhode Island
How median rents are spread across 5 counties
Highest Median Rent Counties
Lowest Median Rent Counties
All Rhode Island Counties
Sorted by median rent, highest first. A higher cost score means lower rent and owner cost pressure within the national scoring model.
| County | Median Rent | Home Value | Owner Cost | Cost Score | Rent/Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newport County | Over $1,500$1,713/mo | $609,700 | $1,843/mo | 4.4 | 29.9% |
| Bristol County | Over $1,500$1,528/mo | $513,800 | $2,118/mo | 4.8 | 28.5% |
| Kent County | $1,000–$1,500$1,327/mo | $366,100 | $1,800/mo | 8.8 | 29.8% |
| Washington County | $1,000–$1,500$1,327/mo | $510,800 | $1,890/mo | 8.3 | 30.7% |
| Providence County | $1,000–$1,500$1,312/mo | $373,600 | $1,764/mo | 9.2 | 28.9% |
Compare Rhode Island to Other States
See how Rhode Island counties stack up against counties in other states. Compare rent, home values, and affordability side by side.
Start a ComparisonFrequently Asked Questions About Rhode Island Housing Costs
Which Rhode Island county has the lowest median rent?
Which Rhode Island county has the highest median rent?
How does Rhode Island's cost of living compare to the national average?
What is the unweighted county-mean home value in Rhode Island?
Planning a Move?
Researching the cost of living in Rhode Island, Rhode Island? Compare moving quotes from top providers and save on your relocation.
Compare Moving QuotesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.