Rhode Island real estate investing data by county

Updated 2026-11-09 · Official Census, HUD, NAIC and FHFA figures

What does it cost to own and rent in Rhode Island?

Across Rhode Island's 5 counties, the median county has an effective property tax rate of 1.37%, a median home value of $468,000 and a median rent of $1,303 a month. Providence, the most populous county, has a median home value of $339,100 and a 1.37% tax rate. Property tax is lowest in Newport (0.95%) and highest in Kent (1.47%). The average homeowners premium is $2,396 a year. On a $250,000 purchase, the Providence rate works out to about $3,425 a year in property tax.

Median property tax rate
1.37%
Median home value
$468,000
Median rent / month
$1,303
Average insurance / year
$2,396

Is there a transfer tax in Rhode Island?

$3.75 per $500 on the full price (Tier 1), plus $3.75 per $500 on the portion of residential consideration above the CPI-indexed threshold ($824,000 for 2026, per ADV 2026-01); grantor pays absent agreement. Rules change and exemptions exist, so confirm with your title company. RI Gen. Laws 44-25-1; RI Division of Taxation ADV 2026-01

Rhode Island property tax, home values and rent by county

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Providence1.37%$4,661$339,100$1,242$2,30210.5%8.0%
Kent1.47%$4,903$333,900$1,264$2,30210.6%7.9%
Washington1.05%$4,954$469,800$1,303$2,30210.6%7.6%
Newport0.95%$5,345$559,700$1,652$2,81510.8%8.0%
Bristol1.39%$6,483$468,000$1,348$2,30210.7%7.4%

Common questions

What is the typical property tax rate in Rhode Island?

The median Rhode Island county has an effective property tax rate of 1.37%, calculated from median taxes paid and median home value in the Census American Community Survey (2019-2023). Rates range from 0.95% in Newport to 1.47% in Kent.

How much is homeowners insurance in Rhode Island?

The average Rhode Island HO-3 homeowners premium was $2,396 a year in 2023, according to the NAIC. That ranks 6 of 51 among the states and DC. This is a statewide average, so get a quote for the specific property.

What is fair market rent in Providence, Rhode Island?

HUD's 2027 Fair Market Rent for a three-bedroom home in Providence is $2,302 a month, and $1,879 for a two-bedroom. HUD sets these at about the 40th percentile of rents, including utilities, so treat them as a cautious baseline.

How fast have home prices risen in Rhode Island?

The median Rhode Island county saw home prices rise 10.6% a year over the five years to 2025, according to the FHFA House Price Index. In Providence, the ten-year pace was 8.0% a year. Those years include an unusually strong run, so don't assume the same pace going forward.

Where these numbers come from

Tax rate is median real estate taxes paid divided by median owner-occupied home value, ACS 2019-2023. A buyer may be reassessed higher than a long-time owner, so check the county's actual rate. Rents are HUD Fair Market Rents for 2027. Insurance is the NAIC 2023 statewide HO-3 average. Price changes are annualized from FHFA's developmental county House Price Index through 2025, and a dash means FHFA doesn't report that county. Past growth doesn't predict future growth. Updated 2026-11-09. Estimates only, not financial advice.

Run a Rhode Island deal with these numbers

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