Cost of Living in Rhode Island
Housing costs, rent, income, and affordability for 36 cities in RI. Updated 2026.
Understanding the cost of living in Rhode Island is essential whether you're planning a move, comparing job offers, or evaluating real estate investments. This page breaks down housing costs, rent prices, and median household income for every city in Rhode Island, with comparisons to national averages.
Rhode Island's average home value of $456,861 is 87% above the national median of $244,900. The average median household income is $85,216, and average monthly rent is $888.
Most Affordable Cities in Rhode Island
Cities with population 5,000+ ranked by lowest median home value.
| # | City | Home Value | Rent | Income | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Woonsocket | $268,000 | $1,116/mo | $58,614 | 43,074 |
| 2 | Pawtucket | $286,200 | $1,152/mo | $67,436 | 75,280 |
| 3 | Central Falls | $300,500 | $1,118/mo | $45,921 | 22,481 |
| 4 | Warwick | $322,000 | $1,299/mo | $87,536 | 82,871 |
| 5 | East Providence | $322,100 | $1,262/mo | $79,660 | 46,970 |
| 6 | Providence | $322,800 | $1,333/mo | $66,772 | 190,214 |
| 7 | Valley Falls | $347,900 | $1,160/mo | $93,653 | 12,370 |
| 8 | Cranston | $348,800 | $1,332/mo | $87,716 | 82,632 |
| 9 | Tiverton | $357,700 | $1,341/mo | $91,493 | 8,151 |
| 10 | Cumberland Hill | $362,700 | $974/mo | $131,006 | 8,638 |
| 11 | Greenville | $390,900 | $1,110/mo | $94,567 | 8,586 |
| 12 | Westerly | $400,200 | $1,243/mo | $82,333 | 18,528 |
| 13 | Wakefield-Peace Dale | $464,400 | $1,196/mo | $111,200 | 9,812 |
| 14 | Newport East | $479,200 | $1,784/mo | $86,310 | 11,262 |
| 15 | Kingston | $493,500 | $0/mo | $82,143 | 6,953 |
Most Expensive Cities in Rhode Island
| # | City | Home Value | Rent | Income | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newport | $669,500 | $1,612/mo | $83,562 | 25,029 |
| 2 | Kingston | $493,500 | $0/mo | $82,143 | 6,953 |
| 3 | Newport East | $479,200 | $1,784/mo | $86,310 | 11,262 |
| 4 | Wakefield-Peace Dale | $464,400 | $1,196/mo | $111,200 | 9,812 |
| 5 | Westerly | $400,200 | $1,243/mo | $82,333 | 18,528 |
| 6 | Greenville | $390,900 | $1,110/mo | $94,567 | 8,586 |
| 7 | Cumberland Hill | $362,700 | $974/mo | $131,006 | 8,638 |
| 8 | Tiverton | $357,700 | $1,341/mo | $91,493 | 8,151 |
| 9 | Cranston | $348,800 | $1,332/mo | $87,716 | 82,632 |
| 10 | Valley Falls | $347,900 | $1,160/mo | $93,653 | 12,370 |
Highest Income Cities in Rhode Island
| # | City | Median Income | Home Value | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cumberland Hill | $131,006 | $362,700 | 8,638 |
| 2 | Wakefield-Peace Dale | $111,200 | $464,400 | 9,812 |
| 3 | Greenville | $94,567 | $390,900 | 8,586 |
| 4 | Valley Falls | $93,653 | $347,900 | 12,370 |
| 5 | Tiverton | $91,493 | $357,700 | 8,151 |
| 6 | Cranston | $87,716 | $348,800 | 82,632 |
| 7 | Warwick | $87,536 | $322,000 | 82,871 |
| 8 | Newport East | $86,310 | $479,200 | 11,262 |
| 9 | Newport | $83,562 | $669,500 | 25,029 |
| 10 | Westerly | $82,333 | $400,200 | 18,528 |
Cost of Living FAQ — Rhode Island
What is the average cost of living in Rhode Island?
The average median home value across Rhode Island cities is $456,861, with average rent of $888/month. The average median household income is $85,216.
What are the cheapest cities in Rhode Island?
The most affordable cities in Rhode Island by home value include Woonsocket ($268,000), Pawtucket ($286,200), Central Falls ($300,500).
What is the most expensive city in Rhode Island?
The most expensive city in Rhode Island is Newport with a median home value of $669,500.
How does Rhode Island compare to the national average?
Rhode Island's average home value of $456,861 is above the national median of $244,900. Median rent of $888/month is below the US average of $1,163.