10 Best Places To Live In Rhode Island

When choosing your next home, you want to ensure it checks all your boxes. You want to put down roots in a place that’s affordable, safe and offers all of the amenities that your family needs.

Rhode Island may be the smallest U.S. state, but it still has plenty to offer families looking to settle down in New England. In this guide, we’ll share the best places to live in Rhode Island based on factors like cost of living, amenities, population and more.

Key Characteristics Of The Best Cities In Rhode Island

Rhode Island — nicknamed the Ocean State — has a population of just over 1 million people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Due to its small size, it doesn’t feature the large cities you’d find in many other U.S. states. In fact, Providence is the only city in Rhode Island with a population that exceeds 100,000 people. Instead, many of the cities on our list are smaller towns that provide their residents with the best New England has to offer.

Cost is one of the most important factors that families will consider when deciding where to live or where to buy a house. Overall, Rhode Island has a cost of living and housing prices that are higher than the national average. However, most cities in the state also have an average household income that’s higher than the U.S. overall.

• Cost of living: Cost of living is one of the most important factors families consider when deciding where to settle down. While a high cost of living isn’t necessarily a bad thing, a cost of living that’s out of your budget can impact your quality of life.
• Crime rate: Most families also consider neighborhood safety to be one of the most important factors when choosing a home. It’s important to consider the crime rate both in your city and in your specific neighborhood. Look at both property crime and violent crime statistics. Rhode Island’s crime rate is relatively low compared to the nation overall.
• Career opportunities: When you’re moving to a new location, you want to be sure you’ll be able to find appealing career opportunities. Many cities in Rhode Island have high average household incomes, meaning there are great opportunities there.
• Amenities: You want there to be plenty of amenities for your family to enjoy. Rhode Island has plenty to offer its residents, including its long coastline, gorgeous hiking trails, rich history and more.

10 Best Places To Live In Rhode Island

Rhode Island is home to plenty of cities and towns that would make for a great place to put down roots. We’ve narrowed them down to the 10 best places to live in Rhode Island.

1. Greenville

• Population: 9,141
• Median household income: $113,365
• Median home sold price: $380,000
• Median monthly rental price: $1,352
• Home affordability index: 1.41

Greenville easily makes our list of the best places to live in Rhode Island. This small city — technically a village — is home to nearly 10,000 residents. It’s located in the north-central part of the state and is less than a half-hour drive to Providence, of which it is a suburb.

Greenville has several attractive characteristics. First, it has a median household income that’s well above the national average. Additionally, its housing cost-to-income ratio is ranked second of all the cities on our list, meaning homes are relatively affordable.

Greenville has the lowest crime rate of any city on our list for both violent crime and property crime. It’s a safe place to settle your family. Additionally, it has the second-lowest unemployment rate, making it an all-around attractive choice.

If you’re considering moving to Greenville, be sure to check out homes for sale in Greenville and Greenville housing market trends.

2. Tiverton

• Population: 7,859
• Median household income: $99,377
• Median home sold price: $440,000
• Median monthly rental price: $1,101
• Housing cost to income ratio: 1.07

Tiverton is a small town located between Aquidneck Island and Fall River, Massachusetts. It’s actually disconnected from the rest of the state. It borders water on one side and Massachusetts on the other. Its location on the water makes it a picturesque place to explore and live.

Tiverton has the best home affordability index of any town on our list, meaning affordable housing is readily available to most people. It also has the third-lowest unemployment rate, making it a great place for families to relocate to and feel financially secure.

If you’re considering moving to Tiverton, be sure to check out homes for sale in Tiverton and Tiverton housing market trends. 

3. Pascoag

• Population: 4,653
• Median household income: $94,449
• Median home sold price: $374,900
• Housing cost to income ratio: 24.9
• Home affordability index: 1.19

Pascoag is a census-designated place (CDP) in Rhode Island located in the northwestern part of the state, just miles from Massachusetts. It has a population of fewer than 5,000 people, making it the smallest city on our list.

One of the perks of Pascoag is its affordability. The town has the lowest median monthly rental price of any other location on our list. It also has a median home price that’s lower than many other places.

Another advantage of Pascoag is its low crime rate. It ranks second in both violent crime and property crime, meaning your family can feel safe settling down here.

If you’re considering moving to Pascoag, be sure to check out homes for sale in Pascoag and Pascoag housing market trends.

4. Bristol

• Population: 39,571
• Median household income: $80,727
• Median home sold price: $491,666
• Median monthly rental price: $1,170
• Housing cost to income ratio: 33.6
• Home affordability index: 0.78

Bristol is a medium-sized city that’s bordered almost entirely by water. It borders Narragansett Bay on one side and Mt. Hope Bay on the other. If your family loves water, Bristol could be the perfect place to settle down.

Bristol has several key advantages going for it. While its median home price is on the higher end of those on our list, the city has the lowest unemployment rate. Additionally, it ranks third in lowest property crime rates in the state.

If you’re considering moving to Bristol, be sure to check out homes for sale in Bristol and Bristol housing market trends.

5. Warwick

• Population: 82,853
• Median household income: $95,546
• Median home sold price: $340,125
• Median monthly rental price: $1,240
• Housing cost to income ratio: 22.8
• Home affordability index: 1.33

Warwick is the third most populated city in Rhode Island, falling behind only Providence and Cranston. It’s located in the eastern part of the state and sits on Narragansett Bay.

Thanks to its proximity to the water, the city’s coastline is filled with 39 miles of beaches, historic lighthouses, and more. It’s also only a short drive to the larger city of Providence.

Warwick ranks third on our list for search volume desirability. In other words, plenty of people are interested in visiting and moving to this city. And not only is it one of the best cities to live in overall, but it’s also one of the best cities to be a teacher — not just in Rhode Island but in the whole country.

6. Westerly

• Population: 18,521
• Median household income: $95,766
• Median home sold price: $424,916
• Median monthly rental price: $1,162
• Housing cost to income ratio: 22.8
• Home affordability index: 1.07

Westerly is a medium-sized town along the southwestern border of Rhode Island. The town borders Rhode Island on one side, Connecticut on the other side, and the Atlantic Ocean on the bottom. In fact, it’s one of the few places in Rhode Island to border the ocean directly.

Because of its proximity to the water, it won’t surprise you to learn that Westerly is a beach town through and through. It boasts itself to be one of the best shoreline destinations in southern New England. It has no shortage of outdoor recreational activities, along with its other amenities and attractions.

If you’re considering moving to Westerly, be sure to check out homes for sale in Westerly and Westerly housing market trends. 

7. Cranston

• Population: 83,444
• Median household income: $95,125
• Median home sold price: $365,052
• Median monthly rental price: $1,185
• Housing cost to income ratio: 24.9
• Home affordability index: 1.23

Cranston, Rhode Island is the second most populated city in the state, behind only Providence. It’s located just southwest of Providence, a few miles from the neighboring city.

Most of Cranston is landlocked, but a small portion of it sits along the Providence River. Residents of the city have easy access to outdoor recreation, including local parks, country clubs, and beaches.

Cranston isn’t just considered one of the best places to live in Rhode Island. It has previously made the list of America’s 50 Best Cities to Live by 24/7 Wall Street.

If you’re considering moving to Cranston, be sure to check out homes for sale in Cranston and Cranston housing market trends.

8. Narragansett

• Population: 14,532
• Median household income: $82,532
• Median home sold price: $757,166
• Median monthly rental price: $1,345
• Housing cost to income ratio: 32.3
• Home affordability index: 0.52

Narragansett is a town located along the southern shore of Rhode Island on the Atlantic Ocean. It also sits at the southern tip of Narragansett Bay.

Most of the city is coastline, so it won’t surprise you to learn that it’s a beach town. Much of the city’s coast is filled with beaches, and it's also home to a popular pier and Point Judith Lighthouse.

One of the key advantages of residing in Narragansett is its low crime rate. Compared to the other cities on our list, Narragansett boasts the third-lowest violent crime rate and the fourth-lowest property crime rate in the state.

If you’re considering moving to Narragansett, be sure to check out homes for sale in Narragansett and Narragansett housing market trends.

9. East Providence

• Population: 47,159
• Median household income: $85,679
• Median home sold price: $368,500
• Median monthly rental price: $1,055
• Housing cost to income ratio: 26.3
• Home affordability index: 1.10

East Providence is a city that sits just across the Providence River from the city of Providence. It has a population of more than 47,000 people, making it one of the top five most populated cities in Rhode Island.

Like much of the state, East Providence is filled with plenty of outdoor recreation. The city has many parks, including several along the waterfront for residents to enjoy.

If you’re considering moving to East Providence, be sure to check out homes for sale in East Providence and East Providence housing market trends.

10. Woonsocket

• Population: 43,650
• Median household income: $65,280
• Median home sold price: $330,520
• Median monthly rental price: $974
• Housing cost to income ratio: 31.8
• Home affordability index: 0.93

Woonsocket is a medium-sized city at the very northern part of the state on the border of Massachusetts. It boasts a perfect blend of city living and small-town comforts.

While Woonsocket doesn’t offer the beach life that many cities on our list do, it still has plenty to appeal to its residents. Like much of the state, it has a lot of parks around town, as well as the Blackstone River that runs through it.

If you’re considering moving to Woonsocket, be sure to check out homes for sale in Woonsocket and Woonsocket housing market trends.

3 More Popular Places To Live In Rhode Island

Rhode Island is filled with picturesque cities and towns that would make for great places to live. The best choice for you depends on your lifestyle. Of course, we couldn’t include every city in this list, but we’re listing a few others here that are popular choices for many people.

1. Kingston

• Population: 7,995
• Median household income: $126,810
• Median home sold price: $567,500
• Median monthly rental price: $1,568
• Housing cost to income ratio: 20.8
• Home affordability index: 1.06

Kingston is a small village in the southern part of Rhode Island, just miles from the coastal city of Narragansett. Though it’s home to fewer than 8,000 people, the town has some major attractions, including the main campus of the University of Rhode Island and the Kingston Village Historic District.

If you’re considering moving to Kingston, be sure to check out homes for sale in Kingston and Kingston housing market trends.

2. Jamestown

• Population: 5,536
• Median household income: $120,129
• Median home sold price: $887,500
• Median monthly rental price: $1,400
• Housing cost to income ratio: 25.0
• Home affordability index: 0.64

Jamestown is unique because it doesn’t actually touch the rest of Rhode Island. Instead, this small town sits on a series of islands. Most of the town is located on Conanicut Island, but it also includes two uninhabited islands: Dutch Island and Gould Island.

Because 100% of Jamestown’s border is made up of coastline in Narragansett Bay, it has lots of waterfront parks, beaches and other outdoor recreation.

If you’re considering moving to Jamestown, be sure to check out homes for sale in Jamestown and Jamestown housing market trends.

3. Blackstone

• Population: 9,208
• Median household income: $83,046
• Median home sold price: $883,000
• Median monthly rental price: $1,098
• Housing cost to income ratio: 26.1
• Home affordability index: 0.44

Blackstone is a residential neighborhood on the northern side of the city of Providence. It sits along the Seekonk River. Blackstone offers a suburban lifestyle while still having easy access to popular amenities. It’s also the closest to Boston of any city on our list — it’s just an hour and a half drive to the city.

If you’re considering moving to Blackstone, be sure to check out homes for sale in Blackstone and Blackstone housing market trends.

Best Places To Live In Rhode Island: FAQs

Are you considering relocating your family to Rhode Island? Here are the answers to a few frequently asked questions about living in the Ocean State.

Is Rhode Island a good place to live?

Rhode Island can be an excellent place to live thanks to its low crime rate, quality education system, and beautiful landscape, thanks to its proximity to the water. However, it’s more expensive than certain parts of the country.

What are the pros of living in Rhode Island?

One of the greatest advantages of living in Rhode Island is the state’s natural beauty. Much of the state touches water, including the Atlantic Ocean and Narragansett Bay, meaning there are plenty of beaches and waterfront activities. The state also boasts high-quality education, a low crime rate, a rich history and culture, and relatively affordable housing in many areas.

What are the cons of living in Rhode Island?

The cost of living in Rhode Island is relatively high compared to the rest of the country. The state also has tax rates that are higher than most other states, including for retired individuals. Rhode Island is also small, meaning it doesn’t necessarily have all of the amenities or major cities that you might find in nearby states.

The Bottom Line

Rhode Island is the smallest U.S. state by land area and in the top ten smallest by population. But it’s still an excellent place to call home. If you’re considering moving to or buying a home in Rhode Island, we can help. Get approved with Rocket Mortgage^Ⓡ today to start your home search.

Methodology: Finding The Best Places To Live In In Rhode Island

Rocket Homes collected and analyzed the most recent data on twelve key local and countywide metrics to give us insight into the top cities best for living. The 20 most populated cities analyzed are home to 66.3% of U.S. residents living in Rhode Island. The metrics used in this study include the violent crime rate, property crime rate, unemployment rate, google search volume, median rent, well-being index, median monthly income, median monthly housing costs, median days on market for homes, median home list price, and Freddie Mac primary mortgage market survey interest rates. Some of these metrics were then used to calculate housing cost to income ratio and home affordability index. These metrics were chosen based on public data availability and topical relevance. Metrics from the U.S. Census are based on 2020 ACS 5-year estimates. In one case, county-level data was used because data is not recorded at the local level.

The housing cost to income ratio was calculated by taking the median monthly housing costs divided by the median monthly income to get the average percentage of income spent on housing costs in a household. The home affordability index was calculated using median listing price for homes in that city, interest rate from Freddie Mac primary mortgage market survey, and median yearly income. To interpret the indices, a value equal to or greater than 1 means that the average person has enough income to qualify for a mortgage in that area. The calculation assumes a down-payment of 20% of the home price and a qualifying ratio of 25%.

Each data category was normalized and transformed into a range of points for scoring and comparison. Cities with violent crime rates greater than or equal to 55 and property crime rates greater than or equal to 65 were removed from the ranking. Weights were then applied to each metric depending on their individual importance in the study. The weighted scores for each metric were summed to create the overall Best Places To Live Score for each city. The final scores are sorted to produce the final rankings. If multiple cities ranked within the same county, only the top city or two cities were chosen to be represented in order to showcase the diversity of the state and offer readers a wider representation of the state.

Other metrics considered without weight: