Average Rent in Rhode Island

Rental market overview for Rhode Island, powered by HUD and Census data.

Median Rent

$1,226

Median Income

$89,886

Rent Burden

29.0%

Avg FMR (2BR)

N/A

Affordability

Rhode Island: 29.0% rent burden, near the 30% affordability threshold.

<25% 25 to 30%>30%

Affordability Map: Income vs Rent in Rhode Island

Each dot is a city, sized by population. The diagonal line is the 30% rent to income threshold. Cities above the line tend to be unaffordable for median earners.

Cities in Rhode Island by median income and median rent
City	Median income	Median rent	Rent burden
Providence	$61,365	$1,214	28.5%
Warwick	$81,009	$1,295	31.6%
Cranston	$83,123	$1,270	29.2%
Pawtucket	$62,799	$1,081	28.2%
East Providence	$71,736	$1,186	30.2%
Woonsocket	$54,398	$1,066	28.6%
Newport	$81,330	$1,527	30.2%
Central Falls	$43,092	$1,052	33.6%
Westerly	$86,343	$1,283	25.8%
Valley Falls	$93,901	$1,049	26.8%
Newport East	$90,659	$1,542	28.3%
Wakefield-Peace Dale	$99,254	$1,173	28.6%
Cumberland Hill	$120,365	$983	34.1%
Greenville	$92,367	$1,391	37.3%
Tiverton	$86,102	$1,223	26.5%
Pascoag	$97,064	$1,132	23.2%
Narragansett Pier	$76,528	$1,636	51.0%
Hope Valley	$93,888	$1,214	40.6%
Melville	$128,750	$2,354	27.2%
Chepachet	$92,228	$1,011	19.8%
Charlestown	$109,563	$1,524	51.0%
Ashaway	$98,875	$1,329	14.6%
Harrisville	$62,750	$742	27.5%
Bradford	$72,383	$985	51.0%

How Rhode Island Compares to the National Average

Median Rent

$1,226▼ 10.2%

Rent Burden

29.0%▼ 4.3%

Vacancy Rate

17.0%▲ 98.1%

Rhode Island Rental Market Overview

Rhode Island has approximately 36 cities with rental data tracked by StayRentals. Roughly 31.1% of housing units in the state are renter-occupied. The state's median rent is approximately $1,226, which is 10% lower than the national median of $1,365. (Source: Census ACS)

The average Rhode Island renter spends approximately 29.0% of their income on rent, compared to the national average of approximately 30.3%. This suggests the state is generally in line with or more affordable than national averages. (Source: Census ACS)

With a rental vacancy rate of approximately 17.0%, the Rhode Island rental market may offer renters more options and negotiating power. (Source: Census ACS)

Rent Burden Distribution Across Rhode Island Cities

44% of cities in Rhode Island have a rent burden at or above 30% of household income.

City count by rent burden bracket for Rhode Island
Burden bracket	Number of cities
Under 25%	3
25 to 30%	12
30 to 35%	6
35% and up	6

Most and Least Affordable Cities

Most Affordable Cities

Most Expensive Cities

Most affordable cities (lowest rent burden):

Pascoag: median rent of $1,132, median income of $97,064, resulting in a rent burden of approximately 23.2%. (Source: Census ACS)

Westerly: median rent of $1,283, median income of $86,343, resulting in a rent burden of approximately 25.8%. (Source: Census ACS)

Tiverton: median rent of $1,223, median income of $86,102, resulting in a rent burden of approximately 26.5%. (Source: Census ACS)

Valley Falls: median rent of $1,049, median income of $93,901, resulting in a rent burden of approximately 26.8%. (Source: Census ACS)

Pawtucket: median rent of $1,081, median income of $62,799, resulting in a rent burden of approximately 28.2%. (Source: Census ACS)

Most expensive cities (highest rent burden):

Narragansett Pier: median rent of $1,636, with a rent burden of approximately 51.0%. Lower incomes relative to rent contribute to higher cost burden. (Source: Census ACS)

Hope Valley: median rent of $1,214, with a rent burden of approximately 40.6%. Lower incomes relative to rent contribute to higher cost burden. (Source: Census ACS)

Greenville: median rent of $1,391, with a rent burden of approximately 37.3%. Lower incomes relative to rent contribute to higher cost burden. (Source: Census ACS)

Cumberland Hill: median rent of $983, with a rent burden of approximately 34.1%. Lower incomes relative to rent contribute to higher cost burden. (Source: Census ACS)

Central Falls: median rent of $1,052, with a rent burden of approximately 33.6%. Lower incomes relative to rent contribute to higher cost burden. (Source: Census ACS)

HUD Fair Market Rent by Bedroom

HUD Fair Market Rent data is reported at the county level for this state. See city pages for local FMR data.

Population vs Median Rent in Rhode Island

In Rhode Island, larger cities tend to have similar rents regardless of size.

Renting in Rhode Island: What to Know

Renter protections and landlord-tenant laws vary by state and municipality within Rhode Island. Most states require landlords to provide advance notice before raising rent on month-to-month leases, though the specific notice period varies. Some municipalities within Rhode Island may have additional local tenant protections.

Housing laws change frequently. For advice specific to your situation, consult a local tenant rights organization, legal aid society, or attorney. StayRentals does not provide legal advice.

Rhode Island Rental Market Trends

Rent trends for Rhode Island are tracked through the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index for shelter costs. Nationally, rent costs have generally increased over the past decade, though the rate of increase varies by metro area and time period.

Detailed monthly rent CPI data is available for major metropolitan areas. Visit our homepage for the national rent CPI trend chart, or explore individual city pages for local context. (Source: BLS Consumer Price Index)

Cities in Rhode Island

36 cities with rental data, sorted by population.

Showing top 36 of 36 by population

City	Population	Median Rent	Rent Burden	FMR (2BR)
Providence	189,715	$1,214	28.5%	N/A
Warwick	82,783	$1,295	31.6%	N/A
Cranston	82,691	$1,270	29.2%	N/A
Pawtucket	75,176	$1,081	28.2%	N/A
East Providence	47,012	$1,186	30.2%	N/A
Woonsocket	43,029	$1,066	28.6%	N/A
Newport	25,087	$1,527	30.2%	N/A
Central Falls	22,359	$1,052	33.6%	N/A
Westerly	18,272	$1,283	25.8%	N/A
Valley Falls	12,072	$1,049	26.8%	N/A
Newport East	11,644	$1,542	28.3%	N/A
Wakefield-Peace Dale	9,966	$1,173	28.6%	N/A
Cumberland Hill	8,866	$983	34.1%	N/A
Greenville	8,777	$1,391	37.3%	N/A
Tiverton	8,101	$1,223	26.5%	N/A
Kingston	6,560	N/A	51.0%	N/A
Pascoag	4,527	$1,132	23.2%	N/A
Narragansett Pier	2,805	$1,636	51.0%	N/A
Hope Valley	2,209	$1,214	40.6%	N/A
Melville	1,918	$2,354	27.2%	N/A
Chepachet	1,755	$1,011	19.8%	N/A
Charlestown	1,702	$1,524	51.0%	N/A
Ashaway	1,662	$1,329	14.6%	N/A
Harrisville	1,515	$742	27.5%	N/A
Harmony	1,442	N/A	N/A	N/A
Bradford	1,189	$985	51.0%	N/A
Carolina	1,165	N/A	N/A	N/A
Greene	1,070	N/A	N/A	N/A
Weekapaug	522	N/A	N/A	N/A
Quonochontaug	452	N/A	N/A	N/A
Hopkinton	421	$393	28.3%	N/A
Misquamicut	379	N/A	N/A	N/A
Foster Center	343	N/A	33.7%	N/A
Wyoming	318	N/A	N/A	N/A
Watch Hill	311	N/A	N/A	N/A
Clayville	102	N/A	N/A	N/A

Data Sources

**Data Sources:**

U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Fair Market Rents

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Price Index for Rent of Primary Residence

Data is updated periodically. Census ACS data reflects 5-year estimates. HUD Fair Market Rents are updated annually. BLS rent CPI is updated monthly.

StayRentals is not a real estate agent, landlord, or property manager. This content is for educational and informational purposes only. Rent estimates are based on government data and may not reflect current market conditions. Housing laws vary by state and municipality. Consult a local tenant rights organization or attorney for advice specific to your situation.

Sources: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Fair Market Rents, U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Price Index.

Data vintage: HUD FMR FY 2025, Census ACS 2019–2023 5-Year Estimates, BLS CPI updated monthly. Government data may lag 1–2 years behind current market conditions.