7 Most Affordable Places to Live in Rhode Island in 2025

Rhode Island home prices average $490,356 statewide. Yet these 7 most affordable places to live in Rhode Island offer median values below the average with costs of living up to 5.8% below the state average. This means families earning $71,851 annually save approximately $12,000 yearly compared to neighboring Massachusetts.​

Whether you dream of kayaking or exploring historic Slater Mill, Rhode Island’s most affordable cities make coastal New England accessible. This guide reveals where your dollar stretches furthest in the Ocean State.

Comparing Most Affordable Places to Live in Rhode Island

City	Median Home Prices	Median Rent	Cost of Living vs US	Best For
West Warwick	$370,565	$1,619	5.8% below	First-time buyers, young families
North Providence	$402,382	$1,683	3.3% below	Italian-American families, Providence commuters
Cranston	$386,805	$2,047	3.3% below	Families, Greek community seekers
Coventry	$412,898	$2,047	3.3% below	Outdoor enthusiasts, remote workers
Cumberland	$490,209	$2,359	3.3% below	Upper-middle-class families, healthcare workers
Warwick	$376,295	$2,047	5.8% below	Retirees, airport employees, boaters
Pawtucket	$380,292	$1,974	3.3% below	Artists, young professionals, immigrants

7 Most Affordable Places to Live in Rhode Island in 2025

1. West Warwick

• Median Home Price: $370,565​
• Median Rent: $1,619​
• Cost of Living: 5.8% below Rhode Island average​
• Best For: Budget-conscious first-time homebuyers, young families seeking suburban value, service workers commuting to Providence
• Highlights: Riverpoint Park riverside trails, West Warwick Autumnfest carnival, authentic Portuguese-American restaurants

West Warwick has about 31,000 residents and the lowest housing costs in Rhode Island. Electricity is affordable at just $0.18 per kilowatt-hour, making it the state’s best spot for energy savings.

West Warwick High School and Deering Middle School serve neighborhoods with strong Portuguese-American roots. Former textile mills now offer affordable suburban homes just 15 minutes from Providence’s Federal Hill dining district.

The median household income is $71,851, with a home affordability ratio of 5.2 years. Most families rely on cars due to limited public transportation, but the area’s affordability stays strong despite older infrastructure in some downtown spots.

👉Discover affordable suburban living in West Warwick with easy access to Providence. Start your West Warwick homes for sale search today!

2. North Providence

• Median Home Price: $402,382​
• Median Rent: $1,683​
• Cost of Living: 3.3% below Rhode Island average​
• Best For: Italian-American families seeking cultural roots, Providence workers avoiding city housing prices, fitness enthusiasts
• Highlights: North Providence Pool & Fitness Center, Mineral Spring Avenue ethnic bakeries, Providence College proximity

This densely populated bedroom community lies just north of Providence. It has over 33,000 residents and a lively Italian-American culture. The 02911 ZIP code offers Rhode Island’s lowest residential electricity rate at $0.175 per kilowatt-hour.

The walkable Centredale neighborhood has family-run pizzerias and meat markets. The historic Lafayette Band, founded in 1859, is part of the local heritage. The median household income is $78,115, keeping rent affordable at just 2.15% of income.

High population density causes parking problems during popular Italian festivals and saint processions. Still, the Roger Williams Park Zoo and botanical gardens are just minutes away via Charles Street. This area is popular for affordable living near Providence.

👉Looking for comfort and convenience near the capital? Explore North Providence homes for sale now!

3. Cranston

• Median Home Price: $386,805​
• Median Rent: $2,047​
• Cost of Living: 3.3% below Rhode Island average​
• Best For: Families seeking quality schools and parks, professionals wanting suburban feel with city amenities, Greek-American community seekers
• Highlights: Roger Williams Park Zoo 435 acres, Garden City Center upscale shopping, Pawtuxet Village Colonial waterfront dining

Rhode Island’s third-largest city is home to 84,448 residents spread across diverse neighborhoods. These range from Edgewood’s mansion-lined waterfront to working-class Knightsville. Home affordability ratios of 4.46 years rank this city among the state’s best values.

Cranston High School East shows strong academic performance. Meanwhile, the Stadium Theatre offers thriving arts programming. The median household income is $86,709, supporting comfortable living. Property taxes average $4,509 annually.

Autocrat Coffee headquarters, which produces Rhode Island’s official beverage—coffee milk—is located here. However, traffic congestion is common along the Garden City and Reservoir Avenue corridors during peak commute hours. This affects residents in this affordable city.

👉Enjoy vibrant neighborhoods and family-friendly amenities in Cranston. Begin your search for Cranston homes for sale!

4. Coventry

• Median Home Price: $412,898​
• Median Rent: $2,047​
• Cost of Living: 3.3% below Rhode Island average​
• Best For: Outdoor enthusiasts wanting trail access, families seeking land and privacy, remote workers escaping city prices
• Highlights: Big River Management Area 8,000+ acres, Johnson’s Pond kayaking, General Nathanael Greene Homestead historic site.

Coventry is a small town in western Rhode Island with over 35,000 residents. It offers country living with easy access to Providence about 30 minutes away. The town has the best home affordability in the state, needing just 4.39 years of income to buy a home.

Nearby is the Big River wilderness area, Rhode Island’s largest undeveloped land. It’s great for hunting, fishing, and mountain biking. The median household income of $94,026 supports a comfortable rural lifestyle. Lower population density gives residents plenty of space.

Local schools like Washington Oak Elementary and Alan Shawn Feinstein Middle School serve families well. Most people depend on cars since public transit options are limited. Many affordable Rhode Island towns prioritize space, making car use necessary.

👉Find peaceful surroundings and great value in Coventry. So start browsing affordable Coventry homes for sale now!

5. Cumberland

• Median Home Price: $490,209​
• Median Rent: $2,359​
• Cost of Living: 3.3% below Rhode Island average​
• Best For: Upper-middle-class families seeking safety and schools, healthcare professionals, Massachusetts border commuters
• Highlights: Diamond Hill Park skiing and concerts, Annual Applefest 50,000+ attendees, Blackstone River Greenway bike paths

Cumberland, a northern Rhode Island town of 36,502 people, blends Blackstone Valley’s mill history with modern suburban life. It ranks among the state’s five safest cities, with only 0.4 violent crimes per 1,000 residents.

Nearby Lincoln Woods State Park offers swimming, hiking, and winter activities just minutes from Cumberland High School. The community balances small-town charm with easy access to nature and recreation.

With a median household income of $109,746, Cumberland leads all affordable Rhode Island cities. Healthcare costs are about 12.7% lower than the national average, which benefits many CVS Health employees and retirees.

However, as more families move in, developers face pressure to manage growth while protecting open space. Cumberland remains one of Rhode Island’s most affordable and desirable suburban communities.

👉Cumberland offers affordability and small-town charm near city conveniences. Then explore available Cumberland homes for sale!

6. Warwick

• Median Home Price: $376,295​
• Median Rent: $2,047​
• Cost of Living: 5.8% below Rhode Island average—lowest statewide​
• Best For: Retirees seeking affordable waterfront living, airport employees wanting short commutes, families desiring beach access
• Highlights: Goddard Memorial State Park 490 acres, Oakland Beach seafood restaurants, T.F. Green Airport economic hub

Warwick, Rhode Island’s second-largest city, is home to 83,554 residents across 50 square miles of coastline, suburbs, and busy commercial areas. It has the lowest cost of living in the state, about 5.8% below the Rhode Island average.

With 39 miles of shoreline on Narragansett Bay, life in Warwick often revolves around boating, fishing, and waterfront dining. The city’s coastal charm attracts both families and long-time locals.

Healthcare costs are 13% lower than the national average, drawing many retirees to neighborhoods like Conimicut and Buttonwoods. Pilgrim and Toll Gate High Schools offer strong academics, while the annual Gaspee Days festival honors the city’s 1772 colonial roots.

Traffic can get heavy along Route 2 and the airport access roads, especially for those exploring Rhode Island’s affordable beach towns. Even so, Warwick remains one of the state’s most livable coastal communities.

👉Enjoy coastal beauty and affordability in Warwick. Start your Warwick homes for sale search today!

7. Pawtucket

• Median Home Price: $380,292​
• Median Rent: $1,974​
• Cost of Living: 3.3% below Rhode Island average​
• Best For: Artists and creatives seeking affordable studio space, young professionals wanting urban authenticity, immigrants building new lives
• Highlights: Slater Mill birthplace of American Industrial Revolution, Downtown Arts District galleries, Pawtucket Arts Festival 300+ artists

Pawtucket, a Blackstone Valley city of 76,996 residents, links Rhode Island and Massachusetts with a bold mix of old industry and new creativity. Once gritty and industrial, it is now reshaping itself through arts-focused revitalization.

The median household income of $62,713 helps make Pawtucket one of Rhode Island’s most diverse and affordable communities. Liberian, Brazilian, Portuguese, and Guatemalan residents add vibrant culture and authentic international dining.

Property taxes average $4,189 per year, placing the city eighth-lowest in the state for cost-conscious homeowners. Some areas still face higher property crime rates than the state average, but steady investment is improving infrastructure and attracting new residents who seek value and convenience in Rhode Island.

👉Looking for an affordable urban lifestyle with creative energy? Then explore Pawtucket homes for sale today!

How We Ranked Rhode Island’s Most Affordable Cities in 2025

Our comprehensive analysis uses weighted criteria such as,

• Housing Costs (23.8%)
• Home Affordability Ratio (23.8%)
• Rental Costs and Rental Affordability (23.8%)
• Property Taxes ad Utilities (28.6%)

Data sources include Zillow Home Value Index and Zillow Observed Rent Index for housing metrics, U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey for income and demographic data. U.S. Department of Energy provided utility cost data, while Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training supplied employment statistics. Municipal data from city governments, law enforcement agencies, and school districts completed comprehensive community profiles.

What Drives Affordability in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island’s overall cost of living index is 112.2, which is 12.2% higher than the national average despite having some affordable communities. Housing is the largest expense. The median home prices around $490,356 as of October 2025. Rent averages $1,964 per month statewide, notably above the national median of $1,645.

Property insurance costs are moderate compared to states like Florida or California; however, waterfront homes have higher flood insurance premiums. Residential electricity rates in the most affordable Rhode Island communities average about $0.175 per kilowatt-hour.

Healthcare expenses run 12.7% to 13% below national averages in places like Cumberland and Warwick. This affordability benefits retirees and families living in these areas.

All these factors show that while costs are elevated statewide, some Rhode Island communities offer more affordable living options, notably in housing, utilities, and healthcare.

Smart Tips for Rhode Island Living

• Research communities like Cumberland and Pawtucket for biking, hiking, and Massachusetts employment access.
• Target West Warwick, North Providence, and Warwick for lowest electricity rates at $0.175 to $0.18 per kilowatt hour.
• Time purchases for fall and winter months when inventory increases and seasonal tourism pressure eases on rental markets
• Prioritize communities within 30 minutes of Providence via Route 95, Route 295, or Route 146 for employment flexibility
• Consider Coventry or Cumberland for families prioritizing land, privacy, and outdoor recreation
• Leverage Rhode Island Housing down payment assistance programs for first-time buyers 

Should You Move to Rhode Island?

Yes! Most affordable places to live in Rhode Island offers true New England coastal living at prices lower than neighboring states. West Warwick stands out with median home prices of $370,565 and rents averaging $1,619. Warwick boasts the lowest cost of living in the state, about 5.8% below the average.

Families save between $3,000 and $12,000 annually compared to nearby states while enjoying 400 miles of coastline, job opportunities in Providence, and quality schools. Homebuyers find suburban safety in Cumberland, arts-driven renewal in Pawtucket, and peaceful rural life near the Big River wilderness in Coventry.

Healthcare costs are 13% below the national average, benefiting retirees in waterfront Warwick. Meanwhile, young professionals appreciate the vibrant Italian-American communities in North Providence.

To explore most affordable places to live in Rhode Island, browse Rhode Island homes for sale on Houzeo.

Frequently Asked Questions