Cost of living in Rhode Island
Rent, taxes, earnings and more across all 5 Rhode Island counties.
Last updated May 21, 2026
Taxes in Rhode Island
State income, sales and local tax rates.
Rhode Island has a graduated state income tax ranging from 3.75% to 5.99%.
Use our salary calculator to see your take-home pay in Rhode Island
Tax information is for general reference. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation.
Rent in Rhode Island
The average one-bedroom rent across Rhode Island is $1,022/mo. Rent varies from $902/mo in Washington County to $1,182/mo in Newport County.
Cheapest places to live in Rhode Island
Top 10 counties by estimated single-person monthly cost.
- #1 Providence County$3,080/moRent$925/mo Income$78,204/yr#1 Providence County $3,080/mo $925/mo $78,204/yr
- #2 Washington County$3,119/moRent$902/mo Income$102,478/yr#2 Washington County $3,119/mo $902/mo $102,478/yr
- #3 Kent County$3,350/moRent$1,045/mo Income$91,278/yr#3 Kent County $3,350/mo $1,045/mo $91,278/yr
- #4 Bristol County$3,374/moRent$1,057/mo Income$110,926/yr#4 Bristol County $3,374/mo $1,057/mo $110,926/yr
- #5 Newport County$3,393/moRent$1,182/mo Income$100,859/yr#5 Newport County $3,393/mo $1,182/mo $100,859/yr
Rankings include rent, utilities, groceries, transport, healthcare and taxes. See our methodology.
Most expensive places to live in Rhode Island
Top 10 counties by estimated single-person monthly cost.
- #1 Newport County$3,393/moRent$1,182/mo Income$100,859/yr#1 Newport County $3,393/mo $1,182/mo $100,859/yr
- #2 Bristol County$3,374/moRent$1,057/mo Income$110,926/yr#2 Bristol County $3,374/mo $1,057/mo $110,926/yr
- #3 Kent County$3,350/moRent$1,045/mo Income$91,278/yr#3 Kent County $3,350/mo $1,045/mo $91,278/yr
- #4 Washington County$3,119/moRent$902/mo Income$102,478/yr#4 Washington County $3,119/mo $902/mo $102,478/yr
- #5 Providence County$3,080/moRent$925/mo Income$78,204/yr#5 Providence County $3,080/mo $925/mo $78,204/yr
Highest earning counties in Rhode Island
Top 10 by average household income.
- #1 Bristol County$110,926/yrCost$3,374/mo Rent$1,057/mo#1 Bristol County $110,926/yr $3,374/mo $1,057/mo
- #2 Washington County$102,478/yrCost$3,119/mo Rent$902/mo#2 Washington County $102,478/yr $3,119/mo $902/mo
- #3 Newport County$100,859/yrCost$3,393/mo Rent$1,182/mo#3 Newport County $100,859/yr $3,393/mo $1,182/mo
- #4 Kent County$91,278/yrCost$3,350/mo Rent$1,045/mo#4 Kent County $91,278/yr $3,350/mo $1,045/mo
- #5 Providence County$78,204/yrCost$3,080/mo Rent$925/mo#5 Providence County $78,204/yr $3,080/mo $925/mo
All 5 counties in Rhode Island
Sorted by population. Type to filter.
- Providence County Pop658,977 Rent$925/mo Income$78,204/yr Cost$3,080/mo
- Kent County Pop170,658 Rent$1,045/mo Income$91,278/yr Cost$3,350/mo
- Washington County Pop130,073 Rent$902/mo Income$102,478/yr Cost$3,119/mo
- Newport County Pop85,095 Rent$1,182/mo Income$100,859/yr Cost$3,393/mo
- Bristol County Pop50,568 Rent$1,057/mo Income$110,926/yr Cost$3,374/mo
Compare any two areas in Rhode Island
Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.
Open comparison toolFrequently asked questions about Rhode Island
Common questions about cost of living, taxes and rent.
What is the cost of living in Rhode Island?
The average cost of living in Rhode Island is approximately $3,263 per month for a single person. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare and taxes. Costs range from $3,080/mo in Providence County to $3,393/mo in Newport County.
What is the average rent in Rhode Island?
The average one-bedroom rent in Rhode Island is $1,022 per month, based on HUD Fair Market Rent data across all 5 counties.
What is the average salary in Rhode Island?
The average household income in Rhode Island is $96,749 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.
Does Rhode Island have state income tax?
Yes, Rhode Island has a graduated income tax ranging from 3.75% to 5.99%.
What is the sales tax in Rhode Island?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Rhode Island averages 7.00%. The state rate is 7.00% with an average local addition of 0.00%.
What are the cheapest places to live in Rhode Island?
The cheapest counties to live in Rhode Island based on overall monthly costs are: 1. Providence County ($3,080/mo), 2. Washington County ($3,119/mo), 3. Kent County ($3,350/mo), 4. Bristol County ($3,374/mo), 5. Newport County ($3,393/mo).
What are the most expensive places to live in Rhode Island?
The most expensive counties to live in Rhode Island based on overall monthly costs are: 1. Newport County ($3,393/mo), 2. Bristol County ($3,374/mo), 3. Kent County ($3,350/mo), 4. Washington County ($3,119/mo), 5. Providence County ($3,080/mo).
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About this data
All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources.
- U.S. Census Bureau (ACS 5-Year Estimates)
- HUD Fair Market Rents FY2025
- Energy Information Administration (EIA)
- Tax Foundation state and local rates