Rhode Island Cost of Living
Housing costs and affordability data for 5 counties.
Average Monthly Rent
$1,362/mo
Average Home Value
$434,100
Average Owner Cost
$1,861/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
$1,362/mo
Owner cost
$1,861/mo
Avg score
7.2
Higher means lower cost pressure
Atlas layers use U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2019-2023 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 median rent in Rhode Island is $1,362 per month, which is 17% above the national median of $1,163. That is useful statewide context, but rent burden still depends on local income, household size, commute, and the county a household chooses.
Within Rhode Island, housing costs vary significantly by county. Newport County has the highest median rent in this dataset at $1,652 per month and a median home value of $559,700. Providence County has the lowest reported median rent at $1,242 per month and a median home value of $339,100.
The average home value across Rhode Island counties is $434,100, 54% higher than the national median of $281,900. Median household income is roughly $96,749, so home values should be read alongside local wages, financing costs, taxes, insurance, and supply.
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 | Expensive$1,652/mo | $559,700 | $1,899/mo | 3.9 | 30.0% |
| Bristol County | Moderate$1,348/mo | $468,000 | $2,080/mo | 6.0 | 27.0% |
| Washington County | Moderate$1,303/mo | $469,800 | $1,837/mo | 7.8 | 30.0% |
| Kent County | Moderate$1,264/mo | $333,900 | $1,775/mo | 8.8 | 30.0% |
| Providence County | Moderate$1,242/mo | $339,100 | $1,712/mo | 9.4 | 28.0% |
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
What is the most affordable county in Rhode Island?
What is the most expensive county to live in Rhode Island?
How does Rhode Island's cost of living compare to the national average?
What is the average home value in Rhode Island?
Planning a Move?
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Compare Moving QuotesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.