If you want to relocate, add the best places in Rhode Island to the top of your list.
These places will let you hike Newport’s Cliff Walk, surf Westerly’s Misquamicut State Beach, or get a fresh plate of clam cakes in Narragansett.
We used Saturday Night Science to create a list of the top ten best places to live in Rhode Island for 2024. We used FBI, Census, and Zillow data to compare factors like crime, incomes, and home prices across 26 Rhode Island cities.
So, grab an ice-cold Del’s Lemonade, find a quiet spot along the Black River in Valley Falls, and read on.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Table | Map | Methodology | Summary
The 10 Best Places To Live In Rhode Island For 2024
What’s the best place to live in Rhode Island for 2024? According to the most recent Census and FBI data, the best place to live in Rhode Island is Kingston.
Notables like Taylor Swift and Conan O’Brien have sung Little Rhody’s praises for years. The best places in this New England state have some of the best landscapes, fantastic seafood, and friendly people anywhere.
For more reading, check out:
The 10 Best Places To Live In Rhode Island For 2024
| Stat | Kingston | Rhode Island |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,560 | 1,094,250 |
| Rank Last Year | 1 | – |
| Median Home Value | $570,961 | $436,519 |
| Median Income | $108,056 | $81,370 |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.0% | 5.9% |
| Crime Per Capita | 0.0123 | 0.0143 |
More on Kingston: Data | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
We begin our tour of the best places to live in Rhode Island with Kingston, a village of 6,560 in the southern part of the state. Home to the University of Rhode Island, Kingston is the youngest city on this list by a wide margin, with a median age of 19. Also owing to URI, Kingston is one of the best-educated places in Rhode Island; over 60% of residents have a college degree, and 25% have a master’s degree or higher. With such smart neighbors and stimulating conversation, it’s easy to stop and smell the roses in Kingston…or the azaleas, if you head over to Kinney Azalea Gardens.
Workers in Kingston enjoy the 2nd shortest average commute time in the state, with the average trip to and from work taking 18 minutes. Even better, residents have the 3rd highest median household income in Rhode Island at $108,056/year. Which is good, seeing as the cost of living in Kingston is 10% higher than the statewide average and housing is 30% pricier. Rent in Kingston goes for around $1,252/month and a typical home sells for $570,961.
2. Ashaway
| Stat | Ashaway | Rhode Island |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,662 | 1,094,250 |
| Rank Last Year | 2 | – |
| Median Home Value | $362,981 | $436,519 |
| Median Income | $98,875 | $81,370 |
| Unemployment Rate | 0.0% | 5.9% |
| Crime Per Capita | 0.0123 | 0.0143 |
More on Ashaway: Real Estate
Located in southwestern Rhode Island on the Connecticut border, Ashaway comes in as the 2nd best place to live for the second year running. A small village of 1,662, Ashaway is a tight-knit community. To get out and enjoy nature, we recommend an afternoon at Briggs Memorial Park, but if you’re willing to drive 15 minutes, Mystic Aquarium in Mystic, CT is the most entertaining place to visit in the area.
Ashaway is quite affluent; at $98,875/year, the village has the 5th highest median household income in Rhode Island. That being said, a median home price of $362,981 is actually on the low end for places we’ll be covering, so you should be able to pay the mortgage off in no time. When you consider that both property value and income in Ashaway rose by more than 10% in the last year, moving here seems like a safe investment. Don’t think that the 1% are laughing it up while the rest of the village’s residents struggle, though; Ashaway has an incredibly low unemployment rate of 0.0% and the poverty rate ranks as the 2nd lowest in Rhode Island at 0.8%.
3. Melville
| Stat | Melville | Rhode Island |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,918 | 1,094,250 |
| Rank Last Year | 4 | – |
| Median Home Value | $0 | $436,519 |
| Median Income | $128,750 | $81,370 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.1% | 5.9% |
| Crime Per Capita | 0.0185 | 0.0143 |
More on Melville: Real Estate
Melville, in Newport County, Rhode Island, is the 3rd best place to live in the state. Located on Narragansett Bay, the town has a strong locale economy reflected by a 128,750 median income and a low 2.1% unemployment_rate, ranked 3rd lowest in Rhode Island.
The city also excels in education, with 60% of adults highly educated.
| Stat | Westerly | Rhode Island |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 18,272 | 1,094,250 |
| Rank Last Year | 6 | – |
| Median Home Value | $529,378 | $436,519 |
| Median Income | $86,343 | $81,370 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.9% |
| Crime Per Capita | 0.0123 | 0.0143 |
More on Westerly: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
We’re wrapping up our coverage of the best places to live in Rhode Island with Westerly, a town bordering Connecticut on the southern tip of Rhode Island. Seven miles of sandy beaches leave you with plenty of options, but we’d say that Misquamicut Beach is the most popular choice for locals and tourists alike. Summer concerts, movies on the beach, great bars and breweries, and some scenic golf courses; it’s pretty tough to be bored in Westerly. No wonder it featured near the top of our list of the best places to retire in Rhode Island.
Westerly has the 5th lowest crime rate, the 11th shortest commute time, and the 10th lowest poverty rate in Rhode Island. Homes here are the 6th most expensive in the state at $529,378, but we think Westerly’s residents would agree that it’s worth every penny.
5. Carolina
| Stat | Carolina | Rhode Island |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,165 | 1,094,250 |
| Rank Last Year | 0 | – |
| Median Home Value | $440,209 | $436,519 |
| Median Income | $92,419 | $81,370 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.9% |
| Crime Per Capita | 0.0123 | 0.0143 |
More on Carolina: Real Estate
Carolina is a prime place for residency in Rhode Island.
Carolina’s appeal comes from its 9th highest median home value and 15th lowest unemployment rate in the state.
A key part of the Carolina Village Historic District, the village offers a glimpse into the past with well-preserved buildings from various architectural periods. Originally a pivotal cotton industry site, it now provides a peaceful residential setting.
| Stat | East Providence | Rhode Island |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,012 | 1,094,250 |
| Rank Last Year | 14 | – |
| Median Home Value | $381,790 | $436,519 |
| Median Income | $71,736 | $81,370 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 5.9% |
| Crime Per Capita | 0.0090 | 0.0143 |
More on East Providence: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
East Providence, positioned within Providence County and home to 47,012, ranks as one of the best in Rhode Island. This city has a $381,790 median home value and a 71,736 median income, making it an affordable option for many. It has a reasonable 22 minute average commute time.
The Waterside District adds to the city’s appeal, offering leisure and scenic beauty, while the historic Looff Carousel remains a landmark. And they’re safe to walk around in, as East Providence has low 31 violent and 391 property crime rates, making East Providence a top choice in Rhode Island.
| Stat | Narragansett Pier | Rhode Island |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,805 | 1,094,250 |
| Rank Last Year | 3 | – |
| Median Home Value | $868,841 | $436,519 |
| Median Income | $76,528 | $81,370 |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.6% | 5.9% |
| Crime Per Capita | 0.0123 | 0.0143 |
More on Narragansett Pier: Data | Real Estate
Located in the southeastern part of the state, Narragansett pier is a CDP of 2,805 residents. Known for its fabulous beaches, famous lighthouse, and excellent clamming and surfing, life in Narragansett Pier feels like a full-time vacation. If you’re itching for a vacation from your vacation, there’s always the option of taking the ferry to lovely Block Island. Of course, all this doesn’t come cheap, and Narragansett Pier is the most expensive place in Rhode Island.
With a median age of 54, Narragansett Pier is the oldest place on our list. That doesn’t mean residents don’t take care of the upcoming generation, though; Narragansett Pier’s school district consistently outperforms the statewide average in test scores and graduation rates by a wide margin, so you know you’re getting your child off to the right start here. Homes in Narragansett Pier are the 1st priciest in the state at $868,841. If you want to join the roughly 45% of residents who rent, expect to pay around $1,636/month.
| Stat | Newport East | Rhode Island |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,644 | 1,094,250 |
| Rank Last Year | 7 | – |
| Median Home Value | $565,274 | $436,519 |
| Median Income | $90,659 | $81,370 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.9% |
| Crime Per Capita | 0.0185 | 0.0143 |
More on Newport East: Data | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
You could say life’s a beach in Newport East. The suburban area offers residents more than just multiple ocean access points and proximity to the 50-plus acres of Newport Vineyards. Those perks only amplify the outstanding data that led to the community of 11,644 being ranked the 8th best place to live in Rhode Island.
The world of work is where residents may experience some of the best benefits that come with living in Newport East. The area has the 14th lowest levels of unemployment in Rhode Island, on top of the 4th shortest commute in the state. Everyone loves less time on the clock and more time at home. However, employers certainly are compensating workers here well for their time given that the median household income is $90,659. And when your home comes with a price tag equivalent to the area’s median home value of $565,274, you will want to enjoy every moment in it that you can.
9. Harmony
| Stat | Harmony | Rhode Island |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,442 | 1,094,250 |
| Rank Last Year | 13 | – |
| Median Home Value | $432,448 | $436,519 |
| Median Income | $103,430 | $81,370 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 5.9% |
| Crime Per Capita | 0.0286 | 0.0143 |
More on Harmony: Real Estate
It won’t be hard for you to find harmony in Harmony.
Harmony holds the title of the 9th best place to live in Rhode Island. It enjoys a top-tier median income of 103,430, placing it high within the state’s economic standings. The village values education, with 40% of its adults having advanced degrees. Harmony’s residents have access to quality leisure amenities like golf courses and the Harmony Library, and its location on U.S. Route 44 makes getting to work easy.
| Stat | Cumberland Hill | Rhode Island |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,866 | 1,094,250 |
| Rank Last Year | 5 | – |
| Median Home Value | $436,265 | $436,519 |
| Median Income | $120,365 | $81,370 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.5% | 5.9% |
| Crime Per Capita | 0.0286 | 0.0143 |
More on Cumberland Hill: Data | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
Cumberland Hill, a census-designated place about 20 minutes north of downtown Providence, is the 10th best place to live in Little Rhody. Cyclists appreciate being able to take the Blackstone River Bikeway from Woonsocket to Cumberland, complete with views of the river, marshes, waterfalls, and wildlife. If you’re looking for the freshest food in town, look no further than Phantom Farms, where you can pick your own apples or pumpkins, depending on the season, and devour delicious baked goods year-round.
Cumberland Hill may top our list of Rhode Island’s richest places, but don’t let that scare you; the cost of living here is basically on par with the statewide average. You won’t find cheaper rent on this list than Cumberland Hill, where you can find a place to rent for just $983/month, less than half the average rent in Rhode Island. Unemployment in Cumberland Hill sits at a crazy low 2.5%, the poverty rate of 7.5% ranks as the 13th lowest statewide, and 97.8% of residents have health insurance, the 11th highest rate in Rhode Island.
Mapping The Best And Worst Places To Live in Rhode Island
Best Places To Live In Rhode Island Size Requirement
Before we even started to collect data on the best places to live in Rhode Island, we had to answer a tough question: Is it fair to pit Providence, with a population of 189,715, against places with a population of 18?
We firmly decided no, that just isn’t fair.
So, to create our ranking, we broke the best places to live into three tiers:
- Cities — Populations over 1,000
- Towns — Populations between 1,000 and 1,000
- Small Towns — Populations below 1,000
This filter left 26 cities, 0 towns, and 8 small towns.
We then decided no matter how much anyone loves their town, the best cities to live in Rhode Island have more of everything, and therefore, you need over 1,000 people to truly be ‘the best.’
Methodology: How We Calculated The Best Cities To Live In Rhode Island
Now that we had our set of the best possible cities, it was time to rank them using Saturday Night Science.
We ranked each place in Rhode Island across a number of criteria from one to 26, with one being the best.
We then took the average rank across all criteria, crowning the city posting the lowest overall score, the “Best Place To Live In Rhode Island.”
The criteria we looked to determine the best places were:
- Median Home Values
- Median Income
- Population Density (Higher is better)
- Unemployment Rate
- Commute Time
- Crime
- Education Levels
- Health Insurance Coverage
- Poverty rates
Sources of criteria include the New Census Data, FBI Crime Data, and Zillow. We updated this article for 2024. This report is our tenth time ranking Rhode Island’s best places to live.
If your city or town isn’t among the top 10, jump down to the bottom of the post to see a detailed chart of the best places in Rhode Island. Otherwise, buckle up for a ride down good living lane with Kingston at the end of the cul-de-sac.
Summary: The Best Places In Rhode Island
If you’re looking at areas in Rhode Island with the best economic situations, where there’s lower than average crime, and a lot to do, this is an accurate list.
The best places to live in Rhode Island are Kingston, Ashaway, Melville, Westerly, Carolina, East Providence, Narragansett Pier, Newport East, Harmony, and Cumberland Hill.
Kingston made a strong showing to take in the overall number one spot for the best place to live in Rhode Island for 2024.
If you’re curious enough, here are the worst places to live in Rhode Island according to the data:
- Providence (Pop. 189,715)
- Central Falls (Pop. 22,359)
- Woonsocket (Pop. 43,029)
For more Rhode Island reading, check out:
- Most Dangerous Cities In Rhode Island
- Best Places To Raise A Family In Rhode Island
- Best Places To Retire In Rhode Island
- Richest Cities In Rhode Island
- Safest Places In Rhode Island
- Worst Places To Live In Rhode Island
Best Places To Live In Rhode Island Table
| Rank | City | Population | Unemployment Rate | Home Value | Median Income | Rent | Crime Per Capita |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kingston | 6,560 | 11.0% | $570,961 | $108,056 | $0 | 0.0123 |
| 2 | Ashaway | 1,662 | 0.0% | $362,981 | $98,875 | $1,329 | 0.0123 |
| 3 | Melville | 1,918 | 2.1% | $0 | $128,750 | $2,354 | 0.0185 |
| 4 | Westerly | 18,272 | 6.5% | $529,378 | $86,343 | $1,283 | 0.0123 |
| 5 | Carolina | 1,165 | 6.1% | $440,209 | $92,419 | $0 | 0.0123 |
| 6 | East Providence | 47,012 | 5.6% | $381,790 | $71,736 | $1,186 | 0.0090 |
| 7 | Narragansett Pier | 2,805 | 11.6% | $868,841 | $76,528 | $1,636 | 0.0123 |
| 8 | Newport East | 11,644 | 5.8% | $565,274 | $90,659 | $1,542 | 0.0185 |
| 9 | Harmony | 1,442 | 3.5% | $432,448 | $103,430 | $0 | 0.0286 |
| 10 | Cumberland Hill | 8,866 | 2.5% | $436,265 | $120,365 | $983 | 0.0286 |
| 11 | Tiverton | 8,101 | 3.4% | $477,304 | $86,102 | $1,223 | 0.0185 |
| 12 | Newport | 25,087 | 10.0% | $827,429 | $81,330 | $1,527 | 0.0180 |
| 13 | Warwick | 82,783 | 5.1% | $364,360 | $81,009 | $1,295 | 0.0149 |
| 14 | Greene | 1,070 | 2.8% | $423,033 | $96,176 | $0 | 0.0149 |
| 15 | Greenville | 8,777 | 3.4% | $445,455 | $92,367 | $1,391 | 0.0286 |
| 16 | Cranston | 82,691 | 5.6% | $392,034 | $83,123 | $1,270 | 0.0127 |
| 17 | Hope Valley | 2,209 | 8.4% | $546,063 | $93,888 | $1,214 | 0.0123 |
| 18 | Valley Falls | 12,072 | 2.8% | $410,692 | $93,901 | $1,049 | 0.0286 |
| 19 | Bradford | 1,189 | 15.1% | $380,982 | $72,383 | $985 | 0.0123 |
| 20 | Chepachet | 1,755 | 0.0% | $358,910 | $92,228 | $1,011 | 0.0286 |
| 21 | Harrisville | 1,515 | 5.7% | $431,939 | $62,750 | $742 | 0.0286 |
| 22 | Pascoag | 4,527 | 7.7% | $374,050 | $97,064 | $1,132 | 0.0286 |
| 23 | Pawtucket | 75,176 | 6.7% | $343,911 | $62,799 | $1,081 | 0.0253 |
| 24 | Providence | 189,715 | 7.2% | $365,946 | $61,365 | $1,214 | 0.0286 |
| 25 | Central Falls | 22,359 | 8.3% | $313,807 | $43,092 | $1,052 | 0.0159 |
| 26 | Woonsocket | 43,029 | 8.9% | $338,485 | $54,398 | $1,066 | 0.0223 |